The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Just an observation, vehicles forsale

Edits to make it related to proper trucks.
I've looked at so many old GM truck ad's for the 50's. I have a very difficult time figuring out why, if someone is selling a vehicle that they won't wash it and clean it up a bit?
I've seen pictures of inside the cabs and it looks like a garbage dump. When ever I have sold something I wash it wax it and make sure its vacuumed out etc.
Oh as far as these old trucks I just can't believe the prices on pure junk. Do the people not realize the cost and effort to fix major rust outs, and body work and paint?
Does anyone else see it?

Interesting observation. Open for discussion but please keep it Chevy/GMC related.

I just figure if the truck is that dirty, not upkept, they most not actually want to sell it! 😂

I like it when an ad says, “This AD truck is super rare…”

Righhhhtttttt….GM only made 1/2 million in 1950 alone. (Granted there are some actual rare ones)

As for junk, they want gold for it. Complete trash trucks around here sometimes are listed for up to $5000. They are barely usable for parts.

I read an article a while back about how some models of our trucks can be built with all new components. The WHOLE truck. Frame, cabs, fenders, electrical, EVERYTHING….

Could you imagine? 🤔

Rust? What rust? Truck building is easy!

I just looked at some ad's a few minutes ago. 5 to 12 K for rusted non running task force. Oh and called a few days ago about a Blue chip I think the fellow was asking around 30k for it. Super nice paint job he paid a ransom for. But just all the same old everything running gear and brakes wise nothing fixed there. So likely the same old bearings and seals, u joints and on and on. For 30K? gosh you'd think it should be a brand new truck for that. I've even seen some folks asking 20k for what is basically a project. So what is it driving these prices a blue book or what?
And yes you can build a truck with new sheet metal, 14k for a new cab with nothing in it. But you can not get a new factory type frame, or steering column, or floor mat, and a few other little important things. A concours restoration would be very very difficult.
I goofed up selling my trucks some years ago. And before that I missed some really good deals because had no place to put them.

Here is an example of over priced junk, read the description about the rust etc. And no pads on the pedals, not the only top dollar one with no pads. I'll remove the ad when it is no longer any good.
https://mohave.craigslist.org/cto/d/lake-havasu-city-1959-gmc-100-short-bed/7534526698.html

I see those sorts of ads all the time. Four pictures from bad angles and hardly any description. Filthy dirty, etc.

I saw an AD 1 ton with no headlights, fuel can on the running board with a hose going into the hood, old newspaper or fast food trash on the floorboard, etc. What the heck is this idiot thinking?

Then of course there are the rust buckets growing weeds in the bed with four flat tires, sitting in a field. All original! Will make great project or rat rod! $20k!

I don't think people are actually paying these prices. I think they're ads by people who watch BJ and Mecum auctions too much and think any old car is a ticket to their retirement.

And parts are through the roof too!! Doesn't make sense!

Not taking sides here, but in the ad Truckolet gave that guy might be into that truck for close to his asking price especially if he's counting his time. He mentioned he's only had it for a few months...is he a car flipper?

As for parts being high priced, the source is drying up fast as there aren't many junk yards left with old cars and truck to pick over...it's to small of a market for the yards to hold onto this stuff now.

Mike B

Yeah I don't like the high prices, that who knows could hit bottom some day. I just do understand the literal junk or scrap, with a nutso price.
Something else that is goofy, I see these super high price resto mods that are not even done very good but have nice paint, and fancy seats etc. yet the original clutch-brake pedals don't even have the rubber pads on them? Gosh like 7 or so bucks for those and they are asking 60k?
And some people are buying them there was one at a fancy car place near by that is no longer advertised. It is really too bad that so many of these old trucks have been messed up and trashed then given up on. I can understand doing a few things that make them a bit safer to drive, but doing it with out drilling a hole or welding or messing something up to do it. Number 1 safety item is dual brake master cylinder and not putting it where it was not put by the factory.

Truckrolet It's just gold diggers that watch the auctions ,clean,atraight,rust free sheet metal is now worth a lot. With body shop work prices out of sight better shop in the desserts.

What little I've seen in helping out in the Swap Meet of late, much of this stuff is not like it use to be. One I recall was a very small part, sorta reasonably priced but almost $10 for shipping. The part would have easily fit in an envelope and mailed.

Even with personal stuff, that old "shipping and handling fee" can be a bummer.

The other big surprise in SM was one guy wanting to sell his truck but will part it out if no takers. Amazing days.


Good discussion here.

Shipping is a killer for many things I put in shopping cart but immediately delete. Eastwood has a flat fee of $19.95 now it seems. A $177 order or one can of spray paint.

DES57,

That flat fee can be a good deal. When we did the "support the troops" events, we encouraged Bolters to use the USPS flat rate box and stuff it with great heavy stuff ... like This Old Truck type mags.

BTW, I like the '57 in your signature line. Is that yours? Is it for sale or just for ooo's and ahhh's?

That was my inspiration at Branson Auto & Farm Museum in Branson. They still have it for sale. 7 years later, I still haven’t painted mine.

That truck on the Branson site is super nice. I looked at the others on the site. Not many regular trucks.

I browse FB Marketplace occasionally, and yeah some of the prices are pretty farfetched for what's offered.

Went to a swap meet a couple years ago, and spotted a '59 3200 fender emblem on a guy's table. Figured he'd say like $10-15 since it had some pitting and was curved, basically a wall hanger, but then he dropped the $80 price tag on me and claimed it was "rare, rare, rare, rare!" He tried a few times to sucker me into it, but needless to say I passed.

I know this is a general discussion of things, but I wanted to mention (on behalf of Gdads51 who is the Swap Meet Moderator), that when you find stuff like what you are talking about (especially the remark about Facebook Marketplace), that you consider ones that fit in these spots in the Swap Meet and post them there:

Other Online Sources -- Been surfing and come across something cool, interesting or useful to your follow Bolters? Or do you have something listed there? Well, share the joy / excitement with the Stovebolt Collective!

and/or

Spotting Alert Network -- Know of a Stovebolt ripe for the picking? Tell the rest of us! eBay, side of the road, your neighbor, some other web site, whatever -- tell us. Please put your own stuff in the appropriate forums, please.


Maybe? Probably? Helpful?

Here you go. Yup worth every dime, and when I sold my good ones all for way less than this.

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1959/chevrolet/apache/101588599

Just wow! Looking at the many trucks forsale online, its just crazy. Just so many of them ruined especially the ones modified, then there are the ones that have a nice paint job that I have mentioned before, that have the untouched underside of an old truck, that are priced at a new truck price. Really 26k for an interior with torn seat, and rusty dash, and an engine compartment that looks like it hasn't been cleaned in the last 40 years. And the many basic shells of a vehicle for 6 to 7K, then there are the ones that look like a patch work quilt, you know mix and matched body parts, spray can paint job in the cab, for 19K, oh but it may have a "built 350" or what ever, and sometimes just the good old inline 6.

Some folks buy a truck, then keep track of the cost of parts they buy and the equivalent cost of their labor and then expect to recover everything when they sell it. Unrealistic expectation to pass on routine maintenance cost, no?

I have always known that my labor was free. I do note what expenditures I make that are permanent but the routine stuff like batteries, tuneups and the like are part of cost of enjoying my truck.

It is simply about supply and demand.
A private seller may inflate the price of a truck , not really caring if it sells , but a commercial retailer must move product to stay in business. Apparently the demand supports the prices we are currently seeing, while at the same time energy cost escalation and supply chain compromise is pinching supply.

I don’t like it more than anyone else , but I accept the unfortunate reality of it all , without thinking that there is some sort of price fixing conspiracy involved.

I watch a lot of those programs I found that is about looking at What I found and in most of them I would not want to have trouble getting rid of the detritus. What I have been looking for has gone up in price by at least 24 percent.

Look at this mess. If all of that sells for $5800, my truck is worth $10K or more easy.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/482961307212950/

It does look pretty sad. Maybe if it's both a complete truck and a rolling chassis/engine.

Truckrolet note the Budweiser shifter.... Why lol.
Also, personally I wouldn't call something "running and driving" if the it doesn't have a seat, headlights etc. Maybe my definition is off though...

I read the ad to mean both the truck and the seperate chassis but it is in pretty rough shape overall.

Saw the attached 1950 3100 at a local car show yesterday and talked to the owner/rebuilder. Looking at his pictures he had to do a lot of the typical rust repairs but original drive train (for now).