The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What do you think this '54 is worth?

Hey guys, just wanted to know if a truck that looks like this is worth the $200 or what. I think it is, and is about the only thing I can afford as I'm 13 and the other 'Bolts around here cost at least 500 or more for something in any better condition, even if they don't run, as this one does(I haven't heard it but I don't think my friend and his dad would lie to me). This will be my first truck, and I plan on redoing it totally in my school's automotive program. The only holes are in the floor board( worst of it), the tailgate( quarter sized), and the firewall( looks like someone cut a hole in it). The rest of the truck seems solid, and I think it is as I kept poking it! It also has a badly cracked passenger window, but that's it. Just really rust covered. It additionally has the original radio, an 8-track player, side tire mount with brand new tire, what might be a heavy duty rear bumper, maybe the original transmission, and the original 235ci engine that looked to be in good condition and looked pretty clean. So what are your opinions?

P.S. Koolkar and Gas have already offered to help me get it home!

well worth the $200, IMHO, given it's a more desirable 5 window, and the 235 is a runner. get it get it get it!!!

Just a question, what's IMHO. Never figured out what that means. AND AS SOON AS GAS AND/OR KOOLKAR CAN GET TO MY HOUSE, IT'LL BE ALL MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And a good thing about the location of the truck is, it's about 5 miles away, back away from the road, and I'm practically the only one who knows about it!!!!

jdl,
IMHO means "In my humble opinion". As for the truck, my opinion would be GET IT! Its' complete and pretty solid, it runs, and has the sidemount spare, but most of all, you can afford it and you have the desire and motivation to fix it up in good shape! It will give you a lot of good experience, and as time passes and you gain knowledge, you'll be able to pass your experience and knowledge on to others new to owning a Bolt.
Samantha

The grill guard is fairly rare-- it might be worth a good part of the 200 by itself.
Have fun-- good find!

Well, it doesn't have the grill guard, but it does have allot of other goodies and I have no intention of not getting this truck!

Although................ It looked to have part of a mattress spring thing in the bed, so it might have it after all! Forgot to add that it also has an fm converter on it and that's a plus because am only has one channel around where I live.

You'll never get a better deal unless someone gives you one free. You are a young guy, and if you restore it these trucks are bringing big bucks. Cool to see someone your age interested in a REAL truck.....best of luck to you !!

I forgot....keep it original. Don't let anyone talk you into butchering it up.....or hacking the dash up for a c.d. player. Not worth it in the long run. Ain't these trucks COOL?

YES, and I have no intention of hacking it up! I don't really even like cd's, because they skip and I remember tape players being better. If someone had some 8-tracks, and the player in the truck worked, I will just use that, and if not, just use the radio. I WANT THIS TRUCK TO BE ORIGINAL. I probably won't even change the suspension or stuff like that, #1 because not enough $, 2, I don't care what it rides like and if it was good enough 50 years ago, it's good enough for me. NO INTENTION TO SELL IT ONCE I GET IT!

Value is in the eye of the beholder. My eye says $600.00 to $3,500.00. Good luck on this project.

JDL, I admire your courage. I hope you are gifted with lots of patience. The more patient you are; the better the completed project should be. Keep us posted on your progress. Best wishes.

You have definately found an "American Gem". It is a very precious find because these trucks are slowly disapearing. They carry with them many untold stories of our past and how we use to live, work and play. They were also built with extreme American pride and many of them have lasted because of the fact that we, as a country, produced a high quality "steel" that, unforseen at the time, has allowed them to endure. In the way our throw away society is today there are not many items that will last the test of time as these vehicles have. In sixty or seventy years from "today" I can't imagine someone bragging about their restored 2008 car or truck! It's all the plastic....what can I say?

The truck you found is definately worth more than $200.00,...."IF"....you wish to engage a great challenge. You sound like a well grounded young man. This truck would be a great learning experience and that covers a multitude of emotions. Excitement, thirsting for knowledge, and the "ultimate" of conquering the restoration of a classic American built truck.

So you ask..."What is it worth?". It all comes...slowly...with time, patients, a willingness to learn, and to understand from the get-go that a restoration is not going to happen overnight. Many people slowly spend untold hours, months and sometime years restoring these treasures from our past. Some are very successful and there are others who just can't make it work out for one reason or another. Time and money available to do the "work" are always a problem in our society. So, its really more about what its worth to you, PERSONALLY, than anything else and if you truly have the passion AND the patients to accomplish such a task. It also takes a supportive group to "cheer" you on, because you can't do it alone! You will need the support of your family and friends.....and....need I say more.....there's plenty of support here at "Stovebolt"!!

Your schools automotive program will be an awesome asset for you to beginning to learn the ins and outs of the mechanics of all kinds of vehicles. There are also other trades that you can look into to further your abilities. Machining, welding and sheet metal working/fabrication are good processes to know about also.

Good luck and stay positive! With that attitude you can conquer anything!!

Lucille, I say that it is PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Lucille said!!

Good for you jdl. Go get it! If you were a little closer I'd help you myself. Be patient, do things right, and remember that you have the Stovebolt for advice and support.

It would be great if we had some kind of program for young 'bolters. They're going to carry the torch for us in the future and it sounds like it will be in good hands.