The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 59 Fleetside - Is It Worth It?

A friend of mine has had a 59 Fleetside sitting in his garage since the early to mid eighties. They drove the truck into the garage and haven't touched it since. I was able to look at it the other day and was surprised as to how solid (and straight) the truck was. The only major rust that I was able to see was right above the headlights. Is this normal? Everything else looked solid, no other major rot. I pulled the rubber floor mat up and the floor still had paint on it.

As far as I can tell this truck is all original (accept for wheels and possibly rear bumper) and has never been restored. It appears to be complete and I'd bet with an little work it could be up and running again.

Would $1,500 dollars be unreasonable for a non-running truck that is all original, complete, and no major rust? Any help would be appreciated.

Here is link to some pictures I was able to take:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10049089@N04/

Thanks,
Aggie98

The rust-out above the headlights was a chronic problem on the quad-light trucks (58/59) I think there are some patch panels available for repair of that area. The price doesn't sound outrageous, but it would help if we know a few more details.

What wheelbase? (long/short bed)
What engine/transmission?
1/2 or 3/4 ton (6 or 8 lug wheels?)

All of the above details will have some bearing on the value, plus it would be helpful to know if the engine will still turn over.
Jerry

Thanks for your response. The emblem on the side fo the truck says "Apache 31" if I remember correctly. It is a short wheelbase fleetside. I am assuming that it is a 1/2 ton but I'm not sure. As for the engine, all I know is that it is an inline 6. I also know that the transmission is a 3 speed and the shifter is on the column.

Rock, we get the "what's it worth" question here probably once a week. The stock answer is "whatever someone is willing to pay for it."

Here is the "official answer" to what your truck is worth.

Only you've seen it, so it will be hard for anyone else to give you an appraisal from here without lots of pictures.

There are two places to check out for a quick valuation. Go to eBay and see what similar trucks are going for. ('58s and '59s are very very similar. There was a model change in '60 so those prices won't be as applicable. If you are in a pinch, you can check out the '56s and the '57s.) Also go into Stovebolt's "trucks for sale" area and see what is being offered. It won't hurt to to look at the eBay links area because you can find links to Craigslist finds there. While you're at it, use the Stovebolt "search" feature. You might find a number of answers over the years.

Also consider downloading a catalog from some of the parts suppliers (found in the links area.) Get a catalog and check on the availability of parts that you find missing or needing replacement.

Gig'em

Bill
'86

these guys are giving you the generic answer, for this case, YES, 1500 would be a good deal for you, could certainly fetch more than that .... if it's been kept in the garage and was driven in there, it'll be easy to get running, a brake job and you might have a driver - check the rear cab corners, the steps, and the bottom hinge pockets for rust, but if the floor is good they'll prolly be ok, in which case it's a 3000$ truck

Bill

Bottom hinge pockets? I assume you are talking about the doors?

Thanks,
Keith

yes, the 'pockets' in the front door posts that the door hinges go into are very prone to rot, especially the bottom one ... check it from underneath, at back of the fender ... look at the bottom mount of the fender while yer under there, the back brace behind the fender may be rotting if the eyebrow is .... even with that, 1500 is a good price for what's likely a runner

Bill

$1500 is indeed a fair if not great price for a short box fleetside. Make sure the cab corners are not rusted. They are even more prone to rust than the headlights and touchy to install and get straight.

Thanks to everybody for your responses. When I looked at the truck it was still packed away in the garage and I could only inspect the drivers side and front. I'll report back when I get a better look at it.

Thanks,
Keith

One place that wasn't mentioned is under the doors themselves. Look under the door where the weather strip is. Very often they are rusted down there. But still, I don't think $1500 is too out of line. If there is deluxe chrome around the windshield and cab, that is a plus. If there is an original style bumper on the rear, that is a plus. A big back window is a plus to most people. If the front hood emblem has a "V" on it, that is a plus (especially with the original 283 engine). If there is chrome trim on the fleeside box, pay cash now and get it loaded. Don't look back. That chrome is worth $600-$1000 if in good shape and complete.

OK, I just got back from lookin at the truck again. I still wasn't able to get a look at the passenger side or back of the truck, but I took pictures of what I saw. Click on the following link and let me know what you think. Is it a rust bucket?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10049089@N04/

Thanks,
Aggie98

If the truck is a Texas lifer the rust shouldn't be too bad I'd have to imagine. Never had the rust problem on the tops of my front fenders but not to say it couldn't be a weak point. As noted the other prone areas need to be inspected carefully. I'd guess you could get your money back selling parts if it turned out to be in too bad a shape.
Looks to be a small window and no deluxe bed trim and don't see the rear bumper. No fresh air heater or radio either. I'd say overall $1500 is a good deal. Fill her with fluids and give her a crank.

Kinda depends on what you want to do with it & how much you can do yourself. A total restoration would probably be more then it would be worth. If you can do the mechanical work yourself it would be a fun toy. If you have to hire most of the work out you will have a money pit.

I like it

I dig it, if it appeals to you and you are happy with 1500$ i would get it.

Thanks again for everybody's input. It sounds like 1,500 is a fair price. Although, I think I can probably get it for less than that.

Thanks,
Aggie98

I bought my '59 shortbed fleetside from a buddy disasembled w/o chassis for $500. It had been chemicaly stripped and primed. I've never seen headlight brow patch panels for the 58-59s. I ended up buying better original fenders at a swap meet for $25 each. If you're sure you can live with the small window, buy it. I converted mine to a big window; It is not for the faint of heart. Hope this helps

Aggie:

If you have looked at it more than once and put this thought into, its worth 1,500. You'll always wonder if you don't submit to the addiction. In any case, keep in mind what Wrenchbender said.

Gig'em

mn '93