The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Need some help on the value - Please

As you can see, I'm from the eastern plains of Colorado, where the air is dry, and trucks don't rust.

A friend of mine has a 1948 Chevy 2-ton truck. The truck was originally purchased by his father in-law new in 1948, and it has never sat outside, for any real period of time.

Its current state is, all original, 1-repaint several years ago, a 2-spd. rear, PTO, side dump grain bed, and comes with a set of custom hand built stock racks, 63K original miles on the body, suspension, etc.

Truck is immaculate. Nothing has ever been touched, except the engine. It currently has a 1957 235.

Here's my problem, I attend alot of farm auctions etc. Out here, (CO/NE)these trucks sell for anywhere from a couple-hundred up to maybe $1,500. However, I've never seen one this clean or straight. Most of the stuff you see out there at the auctions is very "well" used to say the least.

What would you guys think it's worth, or do you have any ideas on how one might find out it's true value?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. I can get photo's if anyone is interested in seeing it, or if it would help.

Here's a good, old FAQ by Barry Weeks that may be a good place to start out.

JM

I see solid AD 2 ton trucks sell regularly for between $300 and $1200 at local sales and in the paper.

The last 2 ton I sold was a '50 2 ton with two speed rear, working PTO.. no rust thru, original paint, had a dent on one fender, and the bed wood is pretty much shot.

I got $910 for it on eBay. If you assume the winning bidder estimated $300 for fuel to come get it, that would put it's general value at around $1200.

Sounds like the truck you're looking at is in better shape.. no dent, solid bed, fresher paint.. so my guess is the "value" of it would be more.. but it's hard to say exactly how much more.. maybe $300 to $400 more?

Big Bolts aren't in high demand around these parts, and they can be expensive to ship.

Because of their size (you can't usually keep them parked in your driveway in an upscale sub-division or apartment building parking lot) the demand for the big trucks isn't nearly as high, so as a result, the sale prices aren't nearly as high.

For a really, really nice, all original 2 ton '48.. i'd have to say somewhere in the $2,000 to $2,500 range.

As with any item, the "true value" is what somebody is willing to pay. I'd search eBays completed items to get a feel for what folks have paid for simular condition trucks.

Fumblin, I'm thinking around your target area on a really really nice one. And believe me, this one is.

Being from the same neck of the woods, and attending alot of auctions up in your area, I'm sure we're seeing alot of the same stuff.

This one far exceeds the condition of any I've ever seen before.

The guy that has it, is a 76-year old retired farmer, who really doesn't know what it's worth. The auction places around here haven't seen any this nice, so they don't either.

I don't want to see anyone take him to the cleaners. As he's a great guy. He's the same guy I bought my 46, and my newest 52 from.

Thanks for the responses.

I saw this ad in the local paper last week..

1948 Chevy Farm Truck Runs good. Steel bed & hoist. $1,295 obo. Call (308) 772-4428.

I called the dude (he's in Oshkosh, NE) and he didn't paint a real good picture of the truck cosmetically.. altho he says he used it several times for work around the farm, etc and that it ran strong.

It's still in the paper (apparently not as hot an item as the 7 person Hot Tub with a broken heater for FREE was) so who knows.

Sure would like to see some pictures of that nice truck, man!

The problem is that demand for these is so low. Its hard to find people who want one bad enough to pay much for it.

I'd put it on eBay with lots of closeup pictures and description so those who do look at it will know this one is better than most.

I'd like to have it, but can't justify paying anything for it, and would not want to drive it 1500 miles or so home...

With 7 people you shouldn't need a heater

What wheel base, and how many windows on this truck? Sounds like it could be what I am looking for, is it for sale?
Grigg

Grigg,

It is definately for sale, just trying to find a suitable price for the older gentlemen that owns it. It is a 3-window cab. I don't know about the wheelbase.

I have a couple of pictures, one interior, and one exterior. Not real good, but the best I could take in the tight barn stall it sits in.

I'll try and find some time tonight and see if I can post them.

Eric,
Sounds like a nice truck, but I'll wait till I find a 5 window 2 ton.
I am sure the other guys will want to see pictures though.
Thanks,
Grigg

From those two pics she looks as clean as i've ever seen a non restored truck!

A five window cab would be pretty pointless in a truck like that, unless you really needed to see the back of the bed as it was going up.. but maybe i'm biased.. i've always been partial to the three window cabs.

It does look clean, and I agree about the 5 windows, I have seen some trucks with 5 windows and a tall bed that made them pointless.
It is nice enough I may be interested if it is 137" wheel base, (6100)? Those extra windows sure do make a truck look nice, but they don't make it run any better..

Grigg, I'm not sure about the wheel base. Think it over, and if you'd truly be interested, I'll see what I can find out.

Anything else you might want to know?

Let me know?

I saw two of about the same thing sell at an auction a couple of months ago... one for i think 1800,, one for 1500... trouble is,,at farm auctions, theyre more buyin the dump bed than anything else... dont seem to matter how good the body is... seems like anything that runs and dumps is worth a 1000 or more,,,and an excellent body maybe only adds about 500 around here....