The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What'd you pay for your first truck?

Thanks for all the replies everyone! After reading the prices paid, what year it was when they were bought, condition, and location, it's really all the same! Free would be really nice but sometimes its the story and personal meaning that matters the most. I could buy something cheaper and closer to home but having a truck that i've always wanted (in thanks to my bothers sparking the interest as a child), a truck that remains in the family (in-laws) for.....well up to now 36 years...and is one of those "I found it in a barn" stories makes it all worth it.
Thanks again!
Paul Kris

Well said.

Paid $500 for the 59 back in 1974 when that amount was a LOT of money. Fact is I had to borrow the money. Of course thats also before the recent frame off. Ouch!

Well, my first truck was a 94 GMC Jimmy (S15). I paid $7500 for it in 2000.

My first Bolt is Number Seven of Sig Line Fame. I paid $300 for it in 2005. Didn't run at that point, but It wasn't too hard to make it go.

Making it stop, OTOH, is an entirely different story.

$2500 for my 58 chevy viking w/ manley wrecker. I guess i got a good deal, but its alot of work. Im acepted to college so it helps with the senior slump. also as my dad says It keeps ya outta trouble." i dont kno about that

The 59 1 ton was free just relieve the previous owner of the burden of ownership. It took a few grand to get it going again. My 72 truck with no motor or tranny was $100. It needs a few bits as well to get it going (obviously). My 47 heep came from the same guy who gave me the 59. It was free and also cost a few grand to set right. I sure did enjoy taking the old guy for a ride in his old vehicles brought back to life.

$500 for 2 trucks. 53 Chevy and 53 GMC parts truck.

I paid $300.00 for this beauty.

http://stovebolt.com/gallery/ducor_doug_1966_01.htm

Nada. Only tax and license. Mom-in-law said "come and get it".

$300 for two 1/2T trucks.One I never used and can't even give parts away.A 51-52 Maybe I should set a price for parts.I hate too see this truck go to the bone yard.The motor is a 235 rebuilt with 3100mi .Either people live to far the parts or want them delivered to there door for free.Something like a vegatable garden.You can them .Drop them off

My first BOLT (Which was my first anything) was FREE dad gave it to me as a "Cant get killed in something that will only go 55 mph" truck.

Cliff59

The year was 1983.
I'd just busted up with my girlfriend.
Heartbroke, with money in hand I saved for a ring, I scanned the classifieds for a new truck.
Well, there was this '55 2nd series, straight six with overdrive...$1300,...been driving old trucks ever since.

My first truck was a 1932 Chevrolet pickup, I got it for $75.00 in 1962, and I still have it. My latest a 1955 first series GMC I paid $3,000.00 and I still have it too, I like to buy but hate to sell.

Bought the Rockettruck as a $50 hulk sitting behind a gas station in 1976.

Four engines, three trannys, three rearends, and four paint jobs later, I still drive it every day.

Gotta go get some stuff from the hardware store--c ya

Rockettruck

In 1981, at the ripe old age of 16, I paid $500.00 for a '65 C10 lwb fleetside. It was all original with small displacement six cylinder and a three speed on the column. I have owned one or more of the '64-'66 Chevy trucks over the past 25 years.

\'64-\'66 Chevy Trucks & Parts

Way to much, but it was one of those love a first site deals. Got enough parts to build three trucks in the deal. Had front disk converson, 3:55 gears from Patrick's, New wind shield, and I drove it home on SoCal freeway at 65/70, 2200Rpm, Was worth every cent we spent she's not much to look at kinda hard on the eyes if you know what I mean but mostly rust free California truck and I drive it everyday.

Wrecked Dad's 52 chevy 3/4 ton. dad said I had to replace it. bought 53 frod 1 ton stake with flat head four speed for $200. At 17 this was not a real go getter with the girls so for $25 I got a 57 chevy nomad wagon,. Both of these were tax tag and title and drive it. Wrote Dad from nam and told him to sell them, didn't think I was making it back. think I got $450 for the both of them. 1970 , fresh out of the service bought 1967 chevy 1/2 ton $1200. like new condition. Even had new smell in it.

jbennett
40 burb

I swapped a .22magnum rifle to my father-in-law for a 49 3/4 ton with a later 235 and believe it or not a heavy 5 speed. I had $90. in the rifle and never really got time to work on the truck. After my in-laws divorced, my mother-in-law was after me to get it out of her yard, didn't have a trailer or close friend with one so I told her to sell it and keep the money, cause she was having a rough time. She let it go for $30.

Rob H.

First truck, 53 ford, $50, 1965 or so. tried to take it to canada to see a gal. left it in upstate NY needing an engine. Presant truck, 39 chevy 3/4 T. from cab forward is Real good condition. needs bed and rear fenders. original 216 purrs. been QCing the braks and the old 3 brush gen needs help. $3600. 4 new tires on neet carage type wheels.

Wow, some great prices; for a little while I thought paying one large was lot. :rolleyes: for my 66 GMC. I guess it's all relative.

500 for my 38 in about 1984.. 750 I think for the 54 wrecker in 2003

bought my 62 burb about a mounth ago 400$ runs and drives

Paid $500 for my '59 SWB Fleetside last year. It was disassembled, acid dipped and primed. My wife complained because I did not try to talk my friend down even further. Go figure. :rolleyes:

Mine was an early 55 chevy Napco, that I bought in 1972 in Cimarron, New Mexico. Paid $100.

I drove it home to Leadville, Colorado (400+ miles)

The first winter I owned it I drove it to and from my job at the Climax mine at the top of Fremont pass (11,100' elevation) It was a tad unpleasant with no drivers window, especially coming home at 11 PM after swing shift.

My turn (& first post):

In 1985 I bought my '37 Chev Pickup for $300. I got married soon after and the PU always seemd to be at the end of the list when it came to time & attention. I dragged it with us when we bought our first house (even though it was in pieces ;'}

Anything I could do for cheap (or better yet FREE!) I worked on. Everything else had to wait.

Then wifey decided that she didn't want to share the house, the kids, and the bank account, so out the door I went. She had the '37 hauled off for SCRAP!

Fortunately, our state requires "abandoned" vehicles be offered up at auction, so "won" the right to purchase my own truck back for $1100.

Two more times I dragged that poor hulk around until I finally got back on me feet and started the renovation - that's what brought me here!

In 1971 I paid $75 for a 1950 1/2ton from my wifes grandfather who got to old to drive. It was a very nice truck with him buying it from the original owner which was a former mayor. Gee, wish I still had that one....

I have seen people buying scrap trucks at a wooping price $1000. But I feel what is the use of spending huge on such trucks which will not be in use at all. I feel I can spend $1000 for a used pickup truck.

$75 for my '57 in 1977. From $150 to $300 for most of my trucks. One at $890 for my 52 and $6000 for a '59 custom. I'd rather spend $1000 on an old truck than $500 to fix my new car.

My first truck was a 41 Ford, $100 in 1954. My 54 Chevy pickup was purchased in 1967 for $275.

Great story, Reminds me of this:

Why trucks are better than women.

- When you get tired of your truck you can trade it for a better one and still keep most of your possessions.

- Trucks follow orders and operate for extended periods of time with minimal affection and attention.

- Trucks don't mind if you drive another truck for a while.

- Trucks don't mind if you have another truck just for "running around town."

- Trucks have a built-in radio with volume control.

- Once you turn off a truck, it stays quiet until you turn it on again.

- You can invite your friends over to drive your truck.

- You can use your truck to pick up women.

- Trucks never ask you what you're thinking.

- Trucks never get jealous if you drive another truck.

- Trucks give a much better return on your investment.

- You can go anywhere with your truck, and yet feel free.

- A truck will bring you where YOU want to go.

- Trucks don't mind if you test drive them before you buy.

- If you put your foot down it won't [censored] about it for three days before agreeing to do it.

- You only need to put gas and oil in a truck to make it work.

- You can lend your truck to a friend and not only will you be willing to drive it again but it often comes back washed and with a case of beer in the back.

- A truck doesn't care how many other trucks you've had.

- When your truck is under repair you can use a loaner.

- You can look under the hood without getting slapped.

- When you put a truck to work it doesn't complain.

- Once you've payed for a truck it's yours to sell.

I bought my 49 3100 in 1976 for $50 bucks,got a 216 for $75 bucks. It has set waiting since 1988 for me to raise my cildren. So i can give her the frame up she deserves. Just got the motor rebiult. body,chassis and suspension next.So I still have a long row to hoe.

You are a patient man Floyd.

My first truck was a gift from my stepfather in 1981, 73 C-10, Short step bed with a straight six and 3 speed. Real rust bucket.

My first "stovebolt" was a 67 C-10, 283 Automatic that I gave $1000 for back in 1983. I was the second owner and got it because the first ended up medically unfit to drive anymore. Had to sleep in the doghouse for spending that much money on an old truck with two little ones at home.

My first Stovebolt was a '54, 1/2 ton, deluxe cab, with fresh air heater, corner windows, stainless window/winshield trim, foot operated windshield washer and the optional hood bird. It was mechanically well cared for and ran like a Swiss watch. It was also a rust bucket. My father paid the $100.00 dollars for it and said that it was the, "family's truck", not just mine. I was the only one that ever drove it, though.
It was bought from a retired oilfield man who was a good mechanic and kept the truck up very well but he had no garage. He'd bought it from an older man who was semi-retired and would use the truck to transport the mail to and from the Southern Pacific depot to the Post Office every day. He was a WWI vet and carried a long barrelled pistol to protect the mail.
I used the truck from when I was in the 11th grade until about my second or third year of college. I used to drive to New Orleans on Hwy 90 about twice a month and back home, about 125 miles each way, 45 mph, during college until I burned a rod bearing in it. I used to sit cross legged with hand throttle pulled out enough to keep up the speed, sometimes...early cruise control. She never broke down on me and always got me home.
Once, after the Fall semester, right before Christmas, I was right outside Amelia, La, near Morgan City. It was really cold for down here. I was bucking a strong, cold north wind and suddenly I heard a, "ping" and the headlights dimmed a litte. I pulled over, opened the hood and I could see with a flashlight that the generator pulley had split. The front half was gone! I made it back the 40 or so miles back home with lights powered only by the 6v battery and temp rising. It never overheated and I had just enough juice left in the battery to make it home.
The next morning the battery couldn't turn the engine over once. That was a close one.
I wish I still had that truck.
Jacques