The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Before I sell

I have had my 53 1 ton panel since 2000 and have worked hard on rebuilding it over the last few years. If you have ever done one you know how much blood and energy and money you can put into it. I have done mechanical improvements like crazy and she runs great. I just have never gotten the body finished outside or in and have gotten kind of discouraged about ever finishing it. The old girl will drive anywhere, it just never really looked good. I'm giving some thought to selling her and just don't know if it would be better to slap a cheap paint job on her or leave it as is with a faded red and black paint coat and leave the interior to someone else.
All that rambling brings me to my question: If you were going to buy a Stovebolt, how important would the paint be vs. the mechanics and being able to just get in it and drive it home? I REALLY don't want to sell it, I guess I'm just frustrated. Don

We all go thru slumps, and we all get discouraged from time to time.. but i'd guess there are far more regrets from folks who sold their projects than not.

Don't sell it, bro.

You just about always loose your [censored] when you sell a project half way thru, regardless of a new paintjob or not.. so if you do decide to sell, don't further bone yourself by putting even more time, effort, and money in it.

Besides, things like body color are things the new owner might want to decide themselves.. you might actually scare off potential buyers if you paint it a color they hate.

Don,
I'm with Fumblin all the way. It took us more than 10 years to get our truck done. When it finally happened we did the lion's share the work in about three months. We piddled with mechanicals from time to time, but my dad finally decided enough was enough - it was time to DRIVE the d*mn thing. He worked hard to get it done and got us motivated to do the same.

Sometimes, you gotta walk away until you are ready to hit it again. Other times, everything comes together, you get inspired, and you're back at it. Seeing all the success stories here helps.

It's OK to park it for a while. Better yet, since you've done so much work on the mechanics, just drive it awhile. Hit the lumberyard and fill it up - get it dirty and have fun; you don't have to worry about the paint job!

If you do decide to sell it, chances are you'll never get your investment back. I agree on the paint issue also - one of the fun aspects of working on an old truck is making it uniquely your own - I personally would rather have a truck I could paint the way I wanted it.

Here's another thought. If you have a community college that teaches auto body nearby, they might have the students do your exterior for cost - everybody wins that way.

"The Wall" strikes again...

I'd agree with Fumblin'-sounds like you want us to talk you in to keeping it.

Add my name to the "keep it" side of the poll.

Of course, if dire financial woes force the sale, then sell it. If you're just a little burned out, why not just put down the tools and walk away for awhile? Sometimes a bit of distance can lend perspective and certainly re-energizing can be a good thing, too.

Regards,
Wannabe

If you decide to sell it, don't put anymore money into it. First off, if its a cheap paint job, most people are going to be able to tell, and they aren't going to be happy with it, especially if they are going to do a full factory restoration. Second, it's likely the buyer is going to want a different color anyway. People in general want to fix the truck up the way they want to see it. Price is the big factor. If you try to factor in the paint job with the price, you probably are not going to get it back. I'm not trying to discourage you from fixing up your truck. But there are times when we have to sell for one reason or another. Good luck in whatever you decide. Cecil........

So you have it running like a champ and you still wanna sell it! Mine is in pieces for three years now, engine is finished, front brakes/master cylinder done, front axel needs king pins and I am frustrated that I continue to find rust and I don't have a tig or mig welder! Frustrated yes, discouraged, no. Where you are at is a running/driving panel that needs work, it may not look like you want, but it grabs everybodies attention anyway! Wash it, prime the ugly spots, keep it clean. Designate a problem and start working on it. It could be little (paint the rims)or it could be big (repair or replace a fender) or other body repair.

If you do decide to put it on the market, decide what you want for it in the condition it is in and then add about $1000 or more for a cheeeeap paint job including the interior.

This is what ebay has to offer:

1/2 ton panel

another unfinished one ton

$2500

ugly doesn\'t sell

Results of a quickie paint job! This is one of the reasons for not buying this.

My vote is to keep it, what would you have to talk about if you sold it? ......g

Blacksmithdon,
I have had my '65 c10 for two years now... it runs, and I'm still fixing mechanical stuff on it. I also drive it jsut about every day, so I have to take my 'projects' into consideration. I dunno if she'll ever be done,a nd she isnt' 'pretty' but I love riding around in her... after a hard night at work I walk out to my truck and I just smile. 'take me home !'

If you have put this much effort into and you still like the panel truck, just keep working at it.

You could always paint it some basic flat color and drive it like a rat rod for awhile.

When was the last time you drove it, if ever? That might get your mind right...

[img]http://woogeroo.home.mindspring.com/Matraca/img04092005/0409a.gif[/img]

My '65... not pretty... but she runs.


-W

keep it. i've had a few cars over my short car maniac career, and they've all been challengine in some way. none of them have needed full restorations thus i didn't have to commit lots of time or money to them, and even the showroom new car i had for a while.... i regretted selling them all. sometimes i HAD to, sometimes i *thought* it was time to move on. in all cases, i miss them. i imagine that with 5 years invested a vehicle it would only be worse. keep it

iwasn't going to wade on this but!!!!!!!!. we have so few challenges in life these days. we have lights in the truck, radios, a/c, power steering and a host of other conviences that make life easier. i just got back from purchasing a new power steering pump and two men stopped me to inquire about the age of the truck, both were born that year,54,. it brought a smile to their face and mine to for inquiring about my truck. it is a beater and may always be but i can throw stuff in their with out fear of damaging any thing, not unlike the new shiny trucks i see everyday at work ( home depot ) comment, my husband would kill me if i cratch it, IT IS A TRUCK. my two cents. no advice just my feelings about my truck of 23 yrs.

Blacksmith,

I'm with Fumblin & Kim. They hit the nails on the head. Don't think it has to be all shiny & new to enjoy it. I know others like to see them like they are.

We b Old, if you didn't run yours off ramps, then you wouldn't have to worry about crashing it. Haa Haa.

Rance

too many to count , are you still on schedule?? If you have a real need to sell it, I would, but if not you will always want it back, a lot of people would jump on that panel real quick so you would not have any trouble selling it...good luck on your choice..

just drive em(if you can)............

Large Marge has a good stance to her and has a neat hood orn. on her,,,wish I could help. I know about back problems as I have had surgeory on mine in the past.....regards.....Fred

just drive em...................

Whao
Take a deep breath
Close your eyes and count slowly to 10

Now, go out and buy another project truck ;~)

No no, wait, that was a different cure. Go with what the others have said and take a break, you'll be back on it later. Give yourself a chance to get to the end, the true reward is there.

Buddy

blacksmithdon keep her!!! I had not worked on mine in six months( work had got in the way and i may have gotten burned out or lazy which ever came first!!!!!!!!!!!) but anyway I sat down next to her the other night next thing i knew its midnight and i had welded both cowl panels and hung a door. You would have thought i won the lottery .Plus the door fit the first time! another jackpot!! beats the heck out being a couch potato(which i had become) so there ya go step back and enjoy thinkin and tinkerin with it.

I am not encouraging you to sell.

But IF you do, DO NOT paint it first.

I won't buy anything with a fresh paint job.
Too many stories of rust and bondo hidden by quick paint. I'd rather see it as-is, knowing I have to finish it or pay to have it done; than worry about what *might* be underneath that fresh paint.

When we bought our house we got a "carpet allowance" from the PO. Tell them it's a $X,000 truck, but you're offering a $3,000 paint allowance...

Cheers,
mark.
'51 3100

51KY brings up a very valid point.. often times a quick and dirty "earl shibe" style paintjob is intended to be little more than "putting lipstick on a pig".

Intrested buyers may be thinking "why did they paint it just before selling? What are they hiding? Fiberglass parts? Bondo?

Don,

You will have to decide for yourself what is best for you and your current situation. I was able to park mine until I had the resources to put it back on the road. It took me 26 years to get to that point.

During my "slump" the thought of selling it crossed my mind over and over again. I only paid $500 for it back in 1976, but I wasn't even sure I could get that out of it with the fact it sat for so long under the hot California sun.

If you can, put it in perspective. Look what progress you have made during the last five years of its life! In those few years, you have come along way to bring your truck to the point that you know your hard work has resulted in a 52 year old truck being mechanically sound once again! Congratulate yourself on that achievement!

Maybe a few coats of spray can primer will spruce it up for now. That is what I did with my truck for the three years I drove it everyday.

Whatever you decide, try and focus on the fun you had along the way. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks, my fellow 'bolters are helping me again. I think that I will back off and just try to relax about it. It is just a truck and I want it to be fun again. I first came to this site in 2000 and have gotten so much help by reading and asking.(Have many more posts, my number count got lost and restarted about a year ago.) Many of the great folks who were here are gone but they have been replaced by others and some who were here before me are still giving their help. Thanks for all your responses, I'm printing them and will post them in my shop for awhile. Your opinions are valuable to me. Don

Got to Wallymart and buy a couple cases of the cheapest flat black spray paint they have.. spend a day hosing it... dont worry about taking the paint off, it doesnt stick very well anyway.. but it looks a lot better than "the truck of many colors"....

I do that with all my projects,,, a POS of one color is better than a perfectly running dentless, rustless survivor to my wife... (ie.. it keeps her from complaining too much about them)

Don't, Don't, Don't, Don't get rid of it, you will regret it right after it's gone. I know. You have the right idea - take a rest and get away for it for a while. Go watch TV for a bit - the junk on the tube will drive you back to doing something REAL with your own 2 hands in a quick hurry!

Don't sell it, because you will always regret it. I know it get frustrating, but don't get in a hurry. Do what you can and before you know it you will have the truck you always wanted. DON'T SELL.

Don't, everybody has said what I wanted to say. My '49 has become my daily driver and I love it. EVERYBODY says "..leave it just the way it is." It's faded red, not a shine to be seen and I use a rattle can to do the obvious chips. Just drive it, these are farm trucks, never meant to shine.

Ok,ok!! You all are right! In fact my next post is going to be in the paint section. Seriously, thanks again for all the needed encouragement. Don