The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Found an early 55, what's it worth?

I came across an early 55 series 1 3 window chevy pickup that is pretty much original. It has some rust on the driprails and the cab corners and needs a new bed. Other than that it is pretty solid. Still has the original 6 cyl and everything is there.

There is also a 64 Ford SWB sitting next to it. I am looking to buy the pair.

Here are a couple of pictures , can anyone tell me what they are worth? Or at least what the 55 is worth, the Ford is basically a take-away ($300 or so). Anyone with a guess about what I should offer. These are in Alabama if that make a difference.

Thanks.

I would say that it appears to be in pretty good shape, and fairly straight. The box appears to be off an earlier 47-53 model, but otherwise I would say probably $700-$800 if it really is as nice as the pictures look. It still appears that you will have your hands full.

My $.02

Cab corners make or break those trucks, man.. and that shot of the cab corner looks pretty thin.

Between that and god only knows how much bondo is lurking in those rear fenders, i'd say it's worth about $600 in your part of the world.. might go as high as $1000 to $1200 if it were on eBay.

Around my neck of the woods it's a $200 truck.

If the owner insists on anything more than $600, tell him he should at least buy you dinner first, before he tries to fu$# you.

Just depends on how much time and money you are willing to spend to bring it up to par...anything can be replaced...I purchased a truck a little while ago..51 in okay shape $6000.00 but thats California...I have probably spent additional $3000 bringing it up to driving conditions..new wiring harness, gas tank, radiator, sending unit, gaskets, rubber, brakes, glass, vent glass, coil, fuel filter, hoses, bulbs, brackets, seat belts, air shocks (it was to low),lug nuts, and I am still replacing things I have found broken, cancer etc....

A lot of people ask this question and there's no stock answer. The value of anything depends on how bad the owner want's to sell and how bad the looker wants to buy. Any deal where both are happy is a good deal no matter the price.

That would be 1500 up here easy.

some where in the $1000 range`less if you can work it...doc

Do they have titles? Or does Alabama require titles on vehicles that old? Here is Central IL that 55-1 could bring 1000-1200 as is. Tiny is right tho - what is it worth to you?

I think Alabama is one of those states that doesn't require a title for a vehicle that old.. just a bill of sale.

Those 'title companies' work in such states.. you 'sell' your vehicle to them, they get it all registered and stuff in that state, then 'sell' it back to you, along with the new paperwork.

Not sure what kind of paperwork it is, but apparently they're not full fledged titles, because their sites mention the paperwork they provide isn't good in several other states.

I have to agree with everybody.It depends what it is worth to you.A buddy of mine bought a '49 & a '51 this past fall for $300 for both of them.Neither ran,but still a good price in my book.Around these parts,top dollar would be about $500,if it ran.Considerably lower if it didn't.

I think what you'll find that in big farming states, where trucks like that are common, and most folks are just not that interested in them, the prices will be low.

In the 'hobby farm' areas, or areas closer to large cities, places like that, the asking prices can get pretty high.. but that's just because the trucks aren't that common in those areas.

Supply and demand.

In my area, there is a huge supply and zero demand. $800 around here or less gets you a 1.5 ton truck in the '40's thru '60's range with a working hoist that you can drive home.