The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Man did I score

Last night I called on an ad from a local paper that listed a tailgate that would fit a '62-'66 fleetside pick-up. I got no answer so I figured I would just try a little later. Soon after I got started on another project, I get a phone call from the guy I just called. He said he was the guy I had just called and wanted to know if I was interested in the tailgate he had. I said yes and asked what it's condition was like. He said it was brand new. I wasn't really interested in a repro. tailgate at this time. Then he said no, it's a brand new 1962 tailgate that was never used. That got my attention. He said when his dad bought the truck in '62, they brought it home, pulled the tailgate and threw it into the rafters of the garage and then slid in the stock rack. So, i asked what he wanted for it. He said that he was looking around the 'net (and I thought, here we go) and he thought $200.00 sounded fair.I said, well, I'm not even close to that point of my restoration and that money would buy alot of parts I need now, but I would think about it. I thought about it, looked up his address on the computer (this guy lives just outside my own town)and headed on over. When I got there we took the gate down from the rafters it was sitting in for the last 42 years and I nearly started crying. This thing is so mint, you'll never see one even half this nice ever again. He even had the original chains complete with the original protectors not a scratch or rust spot on anything. So, trying to contain myself, I asked if $200.00 was his bottom dollar. He said what do you have in mind? I said I would go $150.00 cash right now and it would be a done deal. SOLD. Now I don't know if I should use it or display it.
What to do?
Just thought I would share my good fortune with you all,
Scott

I would lay it on a gravel road and throw stones at it and drive over it a few times so it looks original.

Way to go!!!

[img]http://norcalspeedshop.com/_offsite_smilies/saywhat.gif[/img] [img]http://norcalspeedshop.com/_offsite_smilies/wow.gif[/img]

Scott: That is what dreams are made of, Made me think how many guys have problay done that, took the tail gate off and just sit it aside.

popcorn The Truth is Out There (Great story, your
lucky I have been pricing them JEESH)

I to scored a winner this weekend in the shape of a complete stepside bed with fenders and steps (no tailgate) from a 66 1/2 ton. Got it off Ebay locally for a whopping $81. It is now on the trailer and will get a bath in the morning then be dismantled and stored for use on the 59 big window once the 54 is done. Ebay is great!

I disagree with Norse's.
While I'm VERY happy for you to score so big, I wouldn't be quite so proud of taking advantage of the obviously uninformed seller. Maybe, I'd have given the guy $200 like he asked. Then at least he'd got what he needed and you would still have a VERY VERY good deal. In time, the extra 50 bucks won't matter to you. I've been both seller and buyer in such deals. I sleep better when nobody gets exploited.

I'd say that $150 is a fair price for all involved--good deal.

The guy told me he did his research on the net and he knew I wasn't really in need of a tailgate yet. The guy was just clearing some stuff out of his garage, it didn't appear that he needed the money. I also drove up in my '64 C10 so he new it was going to a good home. Besides, it's only expected to haggle some when you buy or sell. All he had to do is say "no" to my offer. So, I don't feel that I took advantage of, or exploited anybody, I'm not that type of a guy. I even made a new friend out of this guy, as I said, this guy is from around my own town. I told him where I live and asked him to stop in to see my project that his tailgate was going to be installed on, and he said he would.
I will sleep fine tonight, as will the seller,
Scott

Yeah. You're right.
So long as everybody's happy.
What good was it doing in the rafters anyway?

I'm about to order some stupid little rubber washers from steele for $5 a pop. I do feel exploited. So there's the other side of the coin. Maybe its the high cost of reproductions that makes our 'sport' what it is. Maybe unsued spare parts are just that and not valuable antiques.
Who can to say.

By the way, what DO the 2 oldest professions have in common? Are those professions so different from all others in compromising morals/ethics for money? Or is it just a matter of degrees?

But forget all that.
Enjoy the vintage iron!

I picked one up for a 72 Datsun like that one time, well I guess that isn't quite the same. :rolleyes: