The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How much to pay?

Thinking of buying my first old truck. It's a '53, 3800, flatbed dually. It's been in a barn since the late '70's. No rust and "appears" to be very sound. No idea what it will take to get it to run. My friend, the owner, and I have no idea what I should pay him for the truck.

Any suggestions appreciated!!

Thanks,

Curtis Orton

No one probably has any idea why it was parked 30 years ago. Maybe it had problems or maybe they just didn't need it any more. At the very least you will need tires, battery, carb rebuild, points and plugs and I like to install new gas tanks. In fact don't try to start it on the gas that's in it. Stale gas causes valves to stick and they can hit a piston. The items I have mentioned will go over $1,000. I would be hesitant to pay over $1,000 to begin with with all of the unknowns. But be careful. You may insult your friend. Many people look at the asking prices on restored vehicles. However, the asking price is not necessarily what it will sell for. And there are a lot of $ between a non runner and a restored vehicle.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

i would find out if the motor is stuck first, does it have anything bent or twisted on the frame? look the engine over good make sure you don't see any cracks in the block. see if it looks like it was greased pretty good- most of the time if it is covered in grease it was mostly likely taken care of somewhat. if it all checks out i would guess like crenwelge about the 1,000. range maybe 1200.

I payed 1200 for mine. I think that's a good price for a reasonably restorable truck.

Why pay at all? As your friend, tell him he can ride or drive it once you have restored it and its up and running. You'll help him out by moving it for him.

If its sitting all those years, will he really miss it if he gives it to you? Just a thought...

Yes, I have thought about asking for it for free, don't want to upset anybody though. I have a friend who is a mechanic who is ggoing to look at the engine and see what he thinks.

Thanks

Just part of the joy of stovebolt restoration. The inital cost is nothing compaired to joy one feels when you and a buddy take that first drive! Good luck and welcome to the web site.

First, you need to decide if you really want to restore this truck because you really like it. The style & size...
I just got my new project home. it's a 1939 Chevy 1.1/2 ton COE tow truck, minus the tow boom. I paid $900 for the rust bucket & $1,100 to get it home. $2,000 total to have what I have wanted for a long time. I'm very excited to get started building my hot rod tow truck & I really wanted a 1939 COE. The truck is 99% there, but it will take a complete disassembly & restore or replace every part I will be keeping. But it's the truck I wanted & it only cost me $2.000 for it...
The purchase price is nothing compared to what it will cost you in money & time to completely restore any 70 year old truck. Not to scare you off but restoring any vehicle you will need all new wiring, gages, all new rubber every were, all new suspension parts, ie barrings, seals, king pins, spring shackles, tie rod ends, brake cylinders / shoes & more. New glass, restore windows & doors to work properly. Then you have the complete running gear, motor trans & rear end. Then you can start on the body work & paint.
So be sure this is the truck you really want. Don't let the purchase price decide for you, first decide if this is the project you really want...
To many projects get started & never finished because the person gets bored with having the wrong car/truck for him & the cost becomes more then it is worth. You can usually buy a car or truck for less than it cost to restore one. Depending on how rare & desirable that car/truck is...
GOOD LUCK in making your decision...

He is right. I hated the firetruck many times while it was in pieces... And it costs a lot for all the parts that will need replacement, repair or refinishing.

I got 53 for $900. I was able to drive it home but only 1 mile.
It has minimal rust an light problems but runs great.
From what I have found though motor parts are cheep compared to body work.

Most importantly you will need BRAKES!!!!!! For a truck that has been sitting for 30 years that nobody knows anything about, I would advise you to trailer it home no matter how far it may be. I would think off the top of my head it wouldnt hurt to have new brakes all around, plus any engine work you might need done to get her running, I would say no more then 500-900. But then again, what do I know, I dont own a truck....YET! I'm just passing along information that has been told to me in past times when I have gone to look at certin trucks...still looking for the right one! Which I might have found...

Congratulations! $900 is a good deal for anything that runs and a great deal for a stovebolt.

mark... lets see some pictures!!!!