The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 63 stepside longbed how much is it really worth?

Hi folks,

I've been away for a few years. I sold my 62 stepside shortbed and moved onto another project I've been working on for over 10 years. This is a long story, so I'll clip it for this post. If you all are interested, maybe I can fill in the details later.

After the 62 I went in search of a 63 stepside longbed, not just any 63 stepside longbed, but one in particular. I even got two classic vehicle places involved in trying to help me find THE truck. Again, long story short, I found if a couple years ago, but at that time the owner was not interested in selling it. That all changed last week when I got an email saying the owner is interested in selling me the truck.

As I said, its a 1963 Chevy longbed, stepside that was used in a movie. It is one of three, but the first one. The movie history of the truck I call an intangible asset. I have no idea how to put a price on that, but will work with the owner. What I'm hoping you can help with is the tangible asset, the truck it self. So, here is what I know about it...

1963 Chevy C10 longbed stepside
Before it's movie career, it was converted to a small block and has a three speed automatic in it with the shifter on the floor. I do not know exactly what engine. but likely a 350.
The truck was supposedly in good condition body wise, but it was repainted for the movie to age it.
The truck was in running condition when it was parked in a climate controlled garage in 2010. It has not run since. It was parked with a half tank of ethanol gasoline in it.
I figure all the rubber probably needs to be replaced (tires, hoses, belts, possibly brake lines) The tank will have to be flushed as well as the carb probably rebuilt.
I think the owner is assuming the high side value of the truck, but I think it is much less. This is where I hope you guys can give me some guidance.
Hagerty shows a value of $8000 - $10000, but I think after sitting is should be below the $8000 mark. I used my 1962 as reference, I paid $4700 for it, but had to replace the transmission and it was also original.

So, what do you all think this is worth (ball park)?

I've found a couple of places that will inspect the truck, but it can't be taken on a road test. The places want around $400 and I got to thinking, because of it's movie history I want this truck. It's not like I can move onto another. What is reasonable for the physical truck and if you have any thoughts, the movie history value?

Thanks tons! Looks like I will be back on here as a regular again real soon. So excited I found THIS truck!!!!

I'd like to know what movie you are teasing us with.

Twilight?

Unless it was a famous Oscar Winning movie that the truck was the main feature, the "Movie Thing" don't mean diddly squat. Thousands of "Movie Vehicles" out there. The value is what your willing to pay for a truck that's been sitting for 7 years with Ethanol in the fuel system. Unless the body is in totally rust free condition and the drive train doesn't need rebuilt it is worth $3000 to $5000 tops in my neck of the woods.

;-) Can't really say, but... ;-)

No Oscar winning movie. The truck was used in eleven scenes and in a later movie two other trucks were used; however it is the original truck used. It was sold after the first movie was made.
I know from my 62 that the door hinge posts can be an issue is that also true for 63?
It sounds like I should go with an inspection so that at least a car guy sees it in person. Anything in particular I should tell them to look at?

Cowls, pillars, corners and rockers will be gone or would have already been repaired. The windshield seam (underneath the roof scupper) is the area that would be a show stopper.
Have him take a look at the cab supports as well. Make sure there is structure to work with.
I agree with the value suggested.

The inspection guys I work for do a very good job of evaluating a vehicle on a pre-purchase inspection, and they hire only ASE certified inspectors. I have no idea what the overall cost of one is, just what they pay me to do the on-scene report and an extensive photo shoot. I can give you their contact information if you send me a PM. Not advertising, but I've worked with them for 7+ years, and they have always treated me right. I just traveled 350 miles one way to check out a show-quality Plymouth Barracuda for a buyer in Australia for this company.
Jerry

I'm with Martin. Hope you can handle another opinion.

1. Movie value to us and 99.99987% of the U.S population? zero
2. Movie paint job, real cheap, real cheap paint
3. What's to inspect? Look at it! There ain't much to inspect especially if it does not run and there is no battery. You can't "inspect" the trans, the clutch, the brakes, the gauges, the lights, the rear end or the motor except to see if it's frozen. You can't check for leaks (water, gas, oil, exhaust). So don't pay anybody.
You can "inspect" for the presence of all components, you can see the body, the interior and the glass. You can articulate the suspension and steering. If the body is OK, that's 80% of the $$$$ risk done with. The rest is DIY and a little money. Plenty of parts. Inspections are irritating to sellers. Once inspected, what are you going to do anyway? Tell him it sucks here and there? tell him it's perfect? Change your mind?
4. Long beds less valuable than short.
5. Step side less valuable than Fleet.
6. First year for coil front, last year for wrap around windshield (expensive)
7. One year only grille
8. I like V8's but now it's a normal swap. Not original.
9. If title is OK?... good. No title with funky story...I would never buy.
10. Can't say money value without seeing it, and no one on earth can access the mystery movie value if you don't say what movie. Even then, it's still zero.
11. Forget Haggerty, please. You are CORRECT, your 62 IS your reference. Sans the frickin movie. Haggerty doesn't buy trucks, people do. It's all about regional influences, condition, U.S socio-economic conditions at the moment, sellers motivation, condition, originality, cool factor (OK, a movie) and condition.

I am sorry to be so blunt and I know that you are already going to buy it because you love the movie, not the truck. That's OK, the money means nothing and my comments mean nothing unless you ever want to resell and think you will get your money back. Go for it and be happy. I have purchased a whole lot of trucks, sometimes I buy because I want it and ignore my common sense. Around here, that average, slightly rusted truck would probably be $3500-$5500. More rust, less parts present $1500-$3500. Ball park, as you said. In an Elvis Presley movie, driven by him, with his signature on the glove box door.....Boom! $5600.

You went looking for this truck, sellers knows that. Tried to buy for years, seller knows that. you want it because of the movie, sellers knows that... If you make him mad, you won't get it, you know that. Bottom line: You have no leverage on price. Fun stuff. Good luck, let us know.

Rust is the killer, everything else mechanical is easily replaced, rust is Expensive, and is easily hidden by seller, be careful.

Ed

My friend bought a 51 Chevy 2dr sedan which was a movie car driven by Gene Hackman in the movie "Hoosers". It is a decent driver car but he didn't pay a lot of money for it compared to the market for comparable vehicles at the time. It's good for conversation at car shows and he likes so that is what is important.

Fred

Seller actually took the detailed information about the truck in stride. We discussed the options going forward for quite awhile and it honestly feels like we both want to do right by the other party. I know that doesn't happen often, maybe never, so we'll see where it goes from here. I appreciate all the responses and information y'all have provided, it certainly helps on the 'real' value of the tangible asset (and no, I'm not a lawyer). My thought going into this process was to separate the tangible (the physical truck) from the intangible (it's movie history) I think it makes it much easier to come up with a reasonable value for both. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks, Larry