The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs I need help researching the costs of a 65 GMC suburban.

I'm visiting up in colorado, and I happened to pass a 65 GMC suburban for sale. I'm interested, but the guy is asking $2,500. Which would not seem unreasonable if it was in good stock condition, however, the interior's been used as storage for a long time, there's rust through on the rear of the front fenders, there's som major dents that have been bondo-ed to death (some bondo is sealing up part of a seam in the hood) it's got a lift on it, and a conversion from the 305 V6 to a V8 285 (or some 28* thing.) and four speed tranny. It does have four wheel drive, but the most interesting peice of body work is a station wagon roof riveted on to the top (one of the bubble roofs from the 70's)

Now I want to talk this guy down, he claims he's seen worse suburbans for sale for more... I'm doubting it, but I've tried to look and can't really find anything to base my best guess off of. Any one have any suggestions on where to look for suburbans for sale? I've already tried ebay and hemmings, neither is helping much.

I'm also looking for any sources for reproduction stock metal so I can show him how much the car would cost to restore to a decent level.

To be honest, I want the car to restore... but mainly to drive regularly and as a work horse. A car in it's condition I can't justify spending that much on... which is why I need to talk him down.

Yea, I saw that link in another "What's my truck worth?" thread. And quite frankly, it's not a very helpful article. I checked hemming motor news, and they don't have an 60-65 GMCs, haven't had any over the last 3 months (I used their price gauging and it came up blank) in the area, well it's in a small town of about 9,000. This is the county capital mind you... so there aren't really any local early 60's GMC Suburban Carryalls for sale besides this one.

As to asking the local chevy truck expert, well I'm from Massachusetts, I don't know who the local expert would be.

I've checked a few old car price places online,

http://www.nadaguides.com/
Low Retail, Average Retail, High Retail

$2,700 ........ $7,400 ......... $12,600

Options

4 Wheel Drive $200 $350 $475
6 Cylinder Engine -10% -10% -10%

TOTAL PRICE $2,630 $7,010* $11,815

That's for the pannel since I couldn't find the Suburban or carry all.

I tired http://www.collectorcarmarket.com/

1965 GMC SERIES 1000 1/2-TON 305-165hp (6cyl-1V) 3M
#5 #4 #3 #2 #1
Pnl Del............... 500 1900 4000 6475 8900
Fender Lwb Pickup 500 1875 4275 7225 9475
Fenderside Pickup 550 2050 4650 7850 10300
Suburban Wagon... 550 2100 4375 7125 9750
Widsde Lwb Pickup 525 2000 4575 7725 10125
Wideside Pickup... 575 2150 4925 8325 10900

Add:
Air conditioning 10%
Power steering 5%

But I'm not certain if the suburban is the wagon, I'd call it a truck.

And the last place I could find was http://www.manheimgold.com/car_lo.html

1965 GMC 1000 Dsp/HP Eng Fair Good Exc Show Loan
PANEL 1964-66 305/142 6C 2,500 3,000 3,600 5,400 2,400
SUBURBAN CARRYALL 1964-66 305/142 6C 3,000 3,800 4,500 6,300 2,900

This last one was the most helpful, since it actualy had the truck, and the correct specs (the first one subtracted 10% for the V6... wasn't that the only option untill '66?) but I'm still looking for more help than that. The truck doesn't really fit into any catagory on those lists since it does have a lift, and it does have an engine swap.

I need to know if these trucks are more valuable fully stock, with no additions, or if V8 swaps are popular and add more to the price? Basicaly I'm hoping for the thoughts and opinions of the forum members. I don't have any pictures (It's been since pulled inside) but I would think I've said enough that I could get some opinions, and hopefully some leads.

I'm really hoping people can offer me some links to these trucks for sale, so I can see the condition and judge the one I'm looking at versus theres. It's not really worth while to ask someone what they would sell theirs for because if they're not actualy planning on selling it, the price is always higher.

So I guess to clairify in the bable I wrote up above. I'm hoping someone's got a link or two to places that are actualy selling some of these early sixties beauties in not so pristine form so I can compare, I'm hoping for links to places that sell repair pannels and the likes (which actualy I already found, but more couldn't hurt) and most importantly, I want to hear what people on here are willing to pay for and deal with in a truck.

I think it would be worth more completely stock than with the kind of changes you described. Unless its in much better condition than it sounds like you might want to keep looking.

A buddy of mine bought a '66 'burb a month or two ago for $800 and drove in onto the trailer to drag it home.

Its not 4x4, which is worth something if you want it, but otherwise sounds like a cleaner better truck.

All that said, I'm not sure you'll find one cheaper. My question would be do you like the changes, and if not, think about the cost of undoing them.

I don't know about the '60 - '66 trucks, but for the '47 to '55 Suburban specific body panels are basically only available from one guy who makes them by hand.

He's in your part of the country, but I don't think he is doing your truck.

Cool, thanks for the reply.

While I do like the modifications, I would like them better if they were done right. I'm not willing to pay his $2,500 for a vehicle that to me looks like it would have more problems than just the blatant ones I see.

Well maybe I can talk him down, maybe I can't I've got four more months here to try. If I could get 850 I'd be a happy man, now I just have to figure out how to get him to let go of the truck for that much :p

The price solely depends on what you're willing to pay and what he's willing to accept. There's no guide or rule of thumb on these old trucks. Some people give them away and some think they are made of gold. I always haggle on the price. If he doesn't budge, I need to either pay or go away. I try to stay away from projects like the one you mention here because I'm too picky about my workmanship. I can't stand lazy or half-assed work and wouldn't trust it without redoing it myself. To each their own though,
Good luck,
Scott

where is colorado is that suburban located

Sounds like a nightmare to me. check out ebay now and there are two or three 60s models that arn't butchered and rusted. Do buy a vehicle in good condition it is worth $3-5000 in time and parts over a POS that needs work.

Neep, where are you in Colorado?

I think what Matt was getting ready to tell you was that Rich - a 60-66 parts guy in his town - has a suburban for sale, and it sounds like Rich's suburban is in better shape.

Crowley is a little ways east of Pueblo. If you are going to restore something, it is best (and cheapest in my opinion) to start with the best example you can find.