The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1957 Cameo #2 Value Starting Point

I have owned my 1957 Chevy Cameo, #2 off the line, vin # 3A57L100002, since 1978. We are planning on selling it. I have 2 possible buyers, in California and Arizona. They want me to place a starting price for it, then they will work it out between themselves. I have been told for many years that the Henry Ford Museum had the #1 1957 Chevy Cameo. I contacted the Curator and his assistant. They both told me that they also heard about them having the #1 Cameo. They researched for a week and came up with nothing. They told me to contact the GM Heritage Center. So I emailed the GM Heritage Center, and they told me that they don’t keep records of any vehicle older than 1977. They in turn, told me to contact the Henry Ford Museum. Going in circles. I had a local Classic Car Appraiser, appraise my Cameo. I should have seen the Red Flags, when this guy had No Clue what a Cameo was. His appraisal was a Joke. I am just attempting to find someone who can at least guide me in the right direction to figure out a good starting price, to sell this Cameo. Any help will be greatly appreciated. The Cameo is all original except the paint. The original paint is turquoise and white. Thanks, Barry

I have no idea what your truck might be worth, but This post may add to it's value.

Basically, it's worth what the buyer is willing to pay. You might contact the GM Heritage Center and see if they're interested in owning it.

Barry - That's too bad that your original appraiser turned out to be a waste of time.

Just IMHO, but knowing that this truck is #2 off the line for the 1957 Model Year, also that Cameo's themselves are special trucks all by themselves, I think you'd be best served by locating and contacting a recognized appraiser that specializing in such vehicles.

I did a web search and one thing I found suggested was to seek out someone with the International Vehicle Appraisers Network (I-VAN) or a Classic Auto Appraiser. Here are some links you might consider checking out:

International Vehicle Appraisers Network (I-VAN) - Appraiser Locations

ASCAA | American Society of Certified Auto Appraisers In Salt Lake City

I have no personal knowledge of these appraiser sources, or experience using them, but think they are a better options than some local yokel unqualified to do such an appraisal. Hope this might provide some useful info.

I spent several years doing "pre-purchase inspections" on antiques, classics, and mostly muscle cars, often for buyers in Europe and Australia. Most of those vehicles already had a price established, and my job was to authenticate the restoration work, and ferret out the occasional scam artist's attempt to take advantage of a buyer on another continent. One example in particular was a "numbers-correct" restoration of a 1959 Corvette, one that went to a collector in France for $90K. A 1968 Dodge Charger with a proper engine casting number, (but not original to the build sheet) went for $70K to a buyer in Australia- - - - -but it was a $20K loss compared to the seller's documented investment. I also discovered a few "rolling deathtraps" and outright fakes that resulted in a "No Sale" after the potential buyer received my report, photographs, and documentation. The average inspection involved about 2 hours' worth of hands-on examination, a test drive, and around 50-100 high resolution photographs, at a cost of around $300.00- - -$500.00, depending on how much detail a potential buyer wanted.

I have no idea what your specific vehicle might be worth, but its low production number, limited production run, and obvious excellent condition should demand a high-end price from a serious collector. Good luck! Be aware that any "big rear window" 55-57 pickup can become a faux "Cameo" with a set of fiberglass bedsides and a few specialty trim items. I don't think there was any specific "Cameo only" serial numbering scheme involved where the cabs were concerned. An original bill of sale might make a huge difference in the price you can ask, if you happen to have it.

The company that I did contract inspection work for was "Nationwide Arbitrations and Inspections", based in Tamarack Florida. I haven't done inspections for them (or anyone else) in about 5 years. I don't know if they're even still in business, but at the time I worked for them, (Pre-Covid) they had ASE Master Technician certified inspectors in locations from coast to coast. Afterwards, I heard that they had downsized quite a bit. Being an 80 year old geezer is the primary reason, plus some family and personal health issues, that I don't have much desire to travel 1,000-1,500 miles a week in 9 southeastern states like I once did!
Jerry

My sister recently sold a car on line using a nation wide service. They take hundreds of pictures and put it up online with your asking price. If it sells, you should be happy you got what you wanted. When they don't sell, you can lower your price or hold out for another couple of months to keep trying. My sisters sold at the the first price she asked, not super fast like a lower then it should have been, but what the market thought it should have been. She did have to pay a sellers premium, but it wasn't too bad, she just added it into her asking price.

Its your truck, ask what you want for it, not what you think it's worth to everyone else. Hemming's Motor news is a good place to look around, they should have a listing for such trucks with a selling history of what others have sold for.

You have had that truck for close to 50 years, surely you have an idea what you want for it.