Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Shop bid to build my ‘51 streetrod truck

Sounds to as though the OP has made his decision, and a sensible one.

Haha, I thought the choices were "build or not build." I didn't know that buying a whole different truck was an option! It seems like I never learn that you can ALWAYS buy a car cheaper than you can build one.

The great financial guru Dave Ramsey has a favorite saying- - - -"Forget the cheese- - -just let me out of this trap!" After a while, some projects get that way. Find somebody who is tired of trying to fill up a bottomless money pit, and offer him a way out. The MOPAR 440 1968 Charger I inspected down in south Alabama that went to Australia for $90K was in that situation- - - -the seller only took a $10K loss on it!
Jerry

Although I didn't comment until now, I let the more experienced members do that since they know this stuff better than I do. I did, however, read this thread a few times. I am glad you decided to take the path you did, you will be much happier in the long run. Me, I am about to go down the rabbit hole of rebuilding my truck. But I will be doing it with period correct, factory items, with a couple minor upgrades, like better brakes, better seat, sound deadening, you know, the basics. Having a shop do the work sounds great, and the shop may do great work, but it is truly a gamble. Nobody loves your vehicle as much as you do, and a shop may or may not put in the effort you would. And if they do it could really empty your account. Hopefully you post up your "new" truck when you get it.

I can fully understand the decision to find another truck, there are a number of things stacked against you HOA and all. If you do find another truck just look it over carefully as many folks have said there are some hack jobs out there. A good place to start your search may be a local car show, many times there are projects for sale on display.

I guess I'm lucky that my 4ft 9 in HOA named Linda allows me to do what a love. Good Hunting.

I would want a much more detailed estimate before I handed him any money. It says gauges. are you talking $500 restored gauges or $1800 Dakota Digital. What brand of column? I don't see brakes, exhaust or radiator. Things like cab mounts and window and door rubber add up quick Are you doing all that or is this going to be able to drive home? All those parts have a very wide range of prices. Is he buying budget China parts or high end American made? For example I have $9000 in spindles, flanges and brakes for my 53 3100. Maybe he can break down what he allotted for each part and you could upgrade from there if you wanted. Without an itemized quote you are at his mercy when it comes to price increases. I hope it works out for you. There are a lot of good guys out there. Thank you for your time.

"One of the trucks was being hurriedly finished so it could make the Mecham auction"

Did anybody else hear a huge red flag flapping in the breeze in that first post, or am I just being paranoid? Back when I was working for a living keeping these old rigs running as daily drivers and commercial vehicles instead of weekend toys, "Quick" and "Good" usually didn't fit in the same sentence.
Jerry

A sign in no particular shop says, We can do it Quick, Good and Cheap, but you can only pick two!

What's that other one?

Shop Fees
$50 minimum charge
$100 if you watch us
$150 if you help
$200 if you worked on it first.

Quick and good won't be cheap
Good and cheap won't be quick and
Cheap and quick won't be good.

Or something like that.