The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1950 Chevy 3100?

I am attempting to purchase a 1950 Chevy 3100 5 window. The asking price is $25,000. The truck is in very good condition, was restored some time ago. The current owner grandson knows nothing about the truck. It has a powerglide transmission but the engine looks like a 235 and not a 216. On Ebay this truck would go for $35k based on the condition. The undercarriage looks solid, no undercoating!!!! The truck was converted to 12 volt but I had a hard time telling because it looked like the generator was still in tack. Is there anything else I should be asking or looking at? Thanks

My '51 was converted to 12v before I bought it, and it still has the generator in it. I've actually rebuilt the generator after the brushes went south (thanks to Ken Warner of Classic Generator in Texas for the parts and knowledge!). Mine also had a '56 235 in it when I bought it. My first '51 had the 216 in it, and i'll take the 235 any day. Mine is nearly original except for the engine, 12v, and a new original style gas tank, and an aluminum radiator the guy put in when he put in the 235. Mine has been in black primer since I bought it. I got a deal for $5k.

Nice truck Showme! Looks more like a steal than a deal.

As you probably suspect the truck is not original. At some point in its life the drivetrain has been changed to a car or later truck 235 and powerglide. Not a bad thing just not original. 12 volt generators were common pre 1963 (I believe) when GM switched to alternators.

I agree, that was a steal and not a deal. The truck that I looked at tonight looked similar. I don't think you can find anything in that condition for 5k today!!!

Here's the thing about these trucks.
1) They are getting harder to find in any kind of repairable condition.
2) Building them is expensive even if you do all of the work yourself.
3) Having them built for you costs as much as a brand new, fully loaded truck.
4) They are so popular in any drivable condition that they are dangerous to drive due to all of attention they draw from the public. Horn honks and hollering, "What year is it?" at 60 MPH and such.

All of this leads to some pretty high asking prices, which I don't mind so much, having 4 of them in my inventory.
Is the truck you are looking at worth $25,000? Only the buyer would know that. Buy it for the asking price and tell people you stole it for $6,000.

Can you find another one , a comparable truck , for less money?
That is the question.

If owning a truck of that vintage is your goal , that one is sitting right in front of you. Buy it. Offer him cash , ala Danny Koker , maybe he'll come down a bit.

If you are in it for the hunt , keep looking. The current owner of that 3100 will have little trouble finding a buyer. It is a hot item.

Addendum -

If you want us involved , you gotta post pictures!

Thank you all for your responses. I did pull the trigger and paid $20k, the truck was definitely worth it.

52Carl you are correct there are less and less of these trucks on the market.

I need to do a little more research but I believe this 1950 has a 235 and hydra-matic trans from a 54?