The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk original retail prices

my family has always had a little mystery surrounding my grandpa's 1950 3/4 ton pickup that i now own. seems, for whatever reason, we can't find any record of what he paid for it when he bought it new.

my grandma who kept a meticulous diary everyday since they were married, mentioned the purchase, but nothing regarding how much he paid for it.

the general speculation is that grandma wasn't too happy about grandpa buying a new truck and either he never told her what he paid for it or she was too embarassed to mention it even in her diary.

anybody have any idea where i might find some information on what would have been the average price for a pickup of that era?

I don't have an exact answer though I am sure that someone will.

My grandpa purchased a 1952 3100 in 1956 (used of course) from a Chevy dealership for exactly $500. I still have the receipt and the truck.

Are you restoring this 1950 3/4?

I am located in Gilbert... we should talk.

Aaron

My Grandpa bought a brand new 53 half ton for $1750 canadian shipped from Ontario. At the dealer they wanted $2200. Might give you an idea.

a few sites that i've looked at said it probably went for around $500.00-600.00 but one of my uncles said he thought it was maybe &750.00.

hope somebody has some more info on the subject.

not restoring it yet.

reason #1- use it too much as my regular work truck.

reason #2- no funds/time to restore at the moment.

I can't remember because its been a few weeks since I looked at the original sales ticket for my truck, but it seems like it was right aroung $1375. Of course, that was the truck with absolute no options (dealer installed or RPO).

i worked at a chevy dealer in the 80's and one old guy told me that my 54 went for 1500 sticker but practically gave the truck away if you bought a new car. ron

The 1954 3/4 Pickup (no options) cost $1,580 ($1,450 at the factory).

A reprint of the 1953 price list is available from Chevy Duty. Maybe someone else sells an earlier price list.

thanks everyone for the information.

don't know if it will settle any bets with family but you've given me at least a general idea of what it may have cost.

According to the "Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks", a base '50 3/4-ton pickup went for $1302.

and look what they go for now...........Fred

hey, i only had to pay $48.00 dollars more when i bought it...11yrs ago.

nice to know some things don't depreciate no matter how old they are.

If you can find someone who has a Dealer Data Book for that year it will list the price of the truck and should also have a section that covers the options and their costs. I have collected a set from 1955 thru 1960. They are out there in both original versions and are now being reproduced although some of the reproductions leave a lot to be desired over the originals. Lots of good info in these books.

p.j., do you have any pics of thsi odl truck?

-W

If the state your grandfather was in had property tax on vehicles, there may very well be a listing of cost with the county appraiser in their old records, which is a matter of public record.

Additionally if your grandfather farmed he may very well have used the vehicle as a tax deduction and the depreciation schedule showing cost basis may be among old tax papers if you still have them.

According to one of my old copies of Old Cars Price Guide, the base price was $1,302.00 for a 3/4 ton 1950 Pick-up. If your Grandfather had a trade-in, he probably got it for less than that amount.

woog: pics of the truck can be found in the gallery www.stovebolt.com/gallery/heiden_pj_1950.htm

windy: i'll check into the farm tax deduction scenario.

doug: knowing my grandfather, there was no trade-in.

thanks for all of your input/ideas!!!

oh yeah! that truck - great story, cool truck.

-W

I bought a 54 Ford 1/2 ton pickup new with v-8 & whitewall tires for $1225.

That is a great story. Its nice that its still in the family.