The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Value of 51 Suburban (1/2 ton)

I'm currently considering purchase of a 1951 Chevy Suburban 3100. I have a 38 panel and I'm very familiar with the market for 37-41 vehicles, but not so much for the 47-55 trucks. Are 51 Suburbans fairly rare and hard to find? I realize it's impossible to give a hard-and-fast estimate of the value of a truck without seeing it first-hand, but I'm hoping that someone might be able to give me a BALLPARK estimate of what this truck might be worth in the following condition:

*Original 216 and original drivetrain; not stuck, ran 2 years ago, rolls but currently hasn't run in that interval
*Probably one re-paint; paint decent
*Barn door model (not clam shell); rear doors straight and good
*Some rust-through between windshield and cowl vent; some small rust-through on passenger floor; some rust pimples on one lower panel between door and rear fender
*No running boards
*Good front and rear fenders, hood, roof
*Driver and passenger seat in very good shape; middle seat not installed but in truck and in good shape; no third seat
*Dash and interior in general all there but tired looking--will need restored; cargo/seat area has been used for storage of spare parts, etc. 1 seat there but not installed
*Headliners will need to be replaced
*Bumpers there but some minor dents; chrome not great
*Window glass ok

The truck is certainly in need of a fairly extensive restoration; I enjoy restoration work and this would be a good project--but I don't want to overpay on the initial investment. Even a very ROUGH estimate of a vehicle in this condition would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Jim

Forgot to add it has a clean title.

$5500

We can help much better with photos even though your description is nicely detailed. What is the sellers asking price. I would think Phillip is in the ballpark with his SWAG.🛠

I’ll delete this if you ask me to do so.

My experience, as a buyer, has been that the “displayed” rusted area is about 1/3 of the area that ultimately needs to be replaced (preferably with the same/near gauge metal).

And, unseen rust-out is not uncommon. Do not let a buyer poke at the metal.
Magnetic metal-thickness-gauges are available (and might be useful in the right hands).

MT might sell a very nice reproduction middle seat frame by itself. Maybe someone has advice for replacement middle seat cushions?

There's a really clean one on Facebook for sale $8500 , looks like it had was kept inside for many years.

Check and make sure all the rear window trims interior & exterior are in place including stainless window pull trims .

The third row seat can be found , just takes time searching.(reproduction are available)

Tim

Check the lower rear corners for rot. Also, check the rear wheel well areas for rust. GM put in some short side window drains and all water drains in between the interior and exterior sheet metal. Check your rear fenders. Not as hard to find as the other Suburban specific items, but a lot harder than the truck version. I believe there is still one vendor making them out of fiberglass. The drivers side that came with mine looked great from a distance. 1/2" of bondo will do that. Otherwise, for what you have described, I can agree with the previously stated estimations.

Dear All,

THANKS a ton for your great and very helpful feedback. Yes, I'm quite familiar with restorations and rust--I've done a couple frame-offs and another restoration, all back to original on a 37 1/2 ton, 38 coupe pickup, and a 38 3/4 ton panel. So I know how challenging some of these repairs can be and how hard it can be to find parts (the 38 panel was a beast for finding some items). As I mentioned, I was not familiar with the market of this era of truck, and specifically the suburban. Your replies have been extremely informative and helpful, The guy is asking way too much--in the $10-12K range. I knew that was too high, but didn't realize just how high!!! That's why this forum is valuable, and much appreciated. At this point, I doubt that I'll even make an offer--it would probably just irritate the guy and I doubt he'd take a reasonable offer (i.e., nearer to what it's actually worth).

Thanks again--much appreciated. I really don't need another project, but I've always liked that era (and older) Suburbans and 1951 is my birthdate, so I was tempted, at least to check it out and learn more about values, etc.

Best wishes,

Jim

Jim

Also make sure that if you are interested that you confirm that it has the interior side window trim and sliders. They are getting harder and harder to find and necessary if you want back side windows that function as they were intended. From the front doors back they make very few repop parts.

Marc

I research prices nationwide daily. I have discovered that many forum members who last bought their truck even just a couple of years ago are way out of touch with how fast prices on Stovebolts have escalated. AD Suburbans especially are like gold, ditto for their parts, most of which are not reproduced. Just a set of ragged out seats goes for $2500. Rear bumper brackets $200. Bumper filler panel $500 (I sold one that looked like it had been run over by a D10 Cat for $300 and the buyer was thrilled to get it). Barn doors can fetch $1200. Side window trim, priceless. I guarantee that if that truck is complete someone will snap it up whatever the asking price.

And BTW, that title adds $500 or more to the value.

The rusted through cowl at the cowl vent is a big problem. That is very hard to fix, and it is the cause of the rest of the rust inside of the cab. Gauges might be rusted badly and not rebuildable.
I would not offer $5,000 for that reason alone.
Take a closer look at it and make mental notes with your nit picking glasses on. Don't allow your emotion to get the best of you.

Read Carl's post three times, slowly.