The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 53 panel truck on ebay

Hi all, I suppose there is a chance I am posting in the wrong forum or that this kind of question is frowned on in general, but here goes. There is a 53 panel truck out on ebay, it is listed for at least the third time, it is in Long Beach, and a friend of mine may be interested in buying it and bringing it to Sweden. We are a long way from Long Beach. And it seems to us like this is a pretty fine looking truck, and we wonder why it hasn't been sold already. Does anyone know about this truck or its buyer. It's been pretty well modified, maybe the work is a hash, but if it is in ok shape, then the price isn't so bad. Here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953...348QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Anybody got an opinion?
Karl

3 times huh! doesnt look like anything special. you may be better off buying some thing that nobody has messed with. in my opinion EBAY=OVERPAYED! big risk keep looking there is many of these trucks out there

It looks like he's relisted with a lower reserve. Probably wanted too much money for it. Have you emailed him and asked if he would send some more pictures? Being that far away, If I were truly interested, I'd probably find someone to do an inspection on it before I bought it.

Maybe even put up a post here on stovebolt asking for anyone in the Long Beach area that has a bit of time to stop by and look at it. Otherwise, you can hire someone that does inspections.

Thats a lot of money to spend sight unseen.

Good luck!!

At this point I'm just waiting for all the bolters from Long Beach to chime in! I've tried this route before, and what I find is that these areas - like Long Beach - are both longer and wider than I can imagine, and just about everyone lives on the other end of the beach.
As far as emailing the seller, I haven't been able to find an email address on the ebay page. Am I supposed to be registered to be able to see an email address? He lists phone number, but to call him when he is home means I need to call in the middle of the night here.
This panel truck may seem expensive, but most of the restored/modified trucks I've seen sell for a whole lot more. There haven't been so many on ebay, there are a few here on the for sale forum, but most of them will need a bunch of work, or the price is even higher! If I could just feel better about doing the ebay thing from half a world away I might take the chance on this one, but I would like someone to take a look first...
Karl

I've just sold both my 49 & 52 Suburbans which were resto mods (see gallery) and were restored to a much higher standard than this truck. They sold for what a buyer was willing to pay and what the seller was willing to let it go for...no more no less. Basis the pics shown I would say you could do a lot better for the $$...what's up with the hood fit? The beat up firewall? Make a side offer...see how motivated the seller is.

By the looks of the truck,and what its gonna end up costing you when its all said and done (vehicle,shipping,fees,etc...)
I'd look elsewhere.
Marty

In general, ebay sellers that cannot spell are a bad place to spend the amount of money this guy is asking. If the guy can't spell an advertisement correctly, do you think he was super careful when his engine was in pieces? I would keep looking. Another big tip off that would keep me walking is the extra parts that are not installed. If he has had it for sale 3 times, he should have found time to install the parts he mentioned to raise the value. The fact that he didn't makes me think there is something he is not saying.

Doug

I'm nervous about ebay sellers for lots of reasons. Bad spelling doesn't worry me too much, there are a lot of guys on these forums that don't give a hoot about spelling or grammer and still know a lot more about these trucks than I ever will. On the other hand, Marty, I had not noticed the hood fit on those little pictures and I still can't see the firewall in any detail. And lots of people list vehicles with spare parts. Personally, I would remove the air conditioner - it looks terrible under the dash and isn't exactly essential in our Swedish summer climate.
But I agree, Doug, there must be something Mr. Seller isn't saying. A quick look at the truck would answer a lot of questions. As far as the price goes, at $6000 even in questionable shape it isn't so bad - at $9200 it had better be in good shape. But I also know that in Sweden it could sell for the equivalent of $15000 easy in reasonable condition, so there is room to invest in the shipping, fees, customs without losing your shirt.
Like I said, this truck isn't for me, it's for a friend (who isn't so great with English), but I think it is fascinating to see what is out there!
Karl

Greetings! I am building a 53 Chevy Panel as we speak, right
from stock into resto-mod. Conservatively speaking, all
projections are that it will cost $30,000. plus to make it
top notch. (Mustang 2, LS1 -4L60E, body, paint, interior, wheels
tires etc.) If the basic mechanical is good and the body was
done at a high level that price would be very good at $9200.
I would ask more questions about the body and mechanical.

I wonder why the title is "other". That could be a huge problem especially if it leaves for another country.