The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts More Newbie advice.

Hi all,

This is going to sound like a stupid question to almost everyone of you but I would like some advice. Now I am not a dummy I know better the to go around on a public forum on the WWW and ask for personal advice.

With that in mind I don’t have anyone I know personally that can give me much relevant advice on the subject at hand so I come to you my stovebolt friends (whom I am sad to admit, have never met in person) but you all seem like a pretty good bunch so here goes the question.

I posted a thread about a “’38 armored truck” that I found on craigslist. (you can refer to that post in the craiglist section of the swap meet to see pictures of it) it is in really rough shape and I have been back and forth with the owner on this for about a week now. I have the capabilities and interest to restore this truck. I live about a days travel from the truck. And I have a pretty good desire and I cannot seem to get this darn truck out of my mind. Now here is the dilemma. The guy wants $2000.00 bottom line. He doesn’t’ want to go lower. The truck is going to cost me a small fortune to restore. So the purchase price of the truck is going to cost me roughly 2,400- 2,500 (which is his asking price)
Here comes the question I would normally never ask but your family right?

So is the truck worth it? What do you all think the market for this type of truck would be. I would the process of building it, but I am the kind of guy that is always on the lookout for the next build. I love building them driving them for a little while then selling them well at least I have been in the past but I am new to the stovebolt scene I am used to turning around VW’s and cranking them out.
So because I am in new territory here I wanted some more experienced advice.
So unload on me and lets hear all the good, bad, and the ugly advice. I am a full on target for what you all have to say.

Thanks,
Kendall
P.S. I appreciate the help! My wife thinks I have gone crazy.

I think a personal inspection of the truck by you or a fellow stovebolter is warranted. No doubt it would be a great vehicle if it were restored but you have to consider parts availability and how much money and time it would take to make it into something. I saw the CL ad and my thought was it was too much money for what it is. Add in the transport costs and you will probably be into it $5000 before you even turn a wrench. I don't think you have any worries of somebody stealing the sale from you. Maybe some of the older wiser panel owners will chime in with some good advice. This is just my two cents worth so take it for free.

Well, if the wife thinks you've lost your mind you must be doing something right. As far as what the truck is worth, it depends on how much you want the truck and how bad the other guy wants to sell. I know a wise man that says "if you don't want to sell something don't put a price on it because some dam fool will come along and pay you what you're asking for it."

The truck is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Once you've restored it that will still be true.

I don't see it as something that will bring top dollar when it comes time to sell, but then I also have no idea how much money you will spend, or how much you value your time.

That truck is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. If you're going to be unhappy you missed it, you'd better buy it. I just would not offer high hopes you'll make money when it comes time to sell it.

Haven't looked at the truck in question...
But I think you've got the wrong idea about truck projects.
You ask if it's worth it?, what is the market?, and you comment that you like to play with things and sell them to move onto the next project.

I doubt you'll make any money restoring a truck that needs lots of work.
If you enjoy working on them and spending money that's great, but you probably won't get your money back out of it. If that's OK with you then go for it.
Otherwise pick a project you really really like and plan to keep for a very long time, and don't let the cost discourage you.

Grigg

not likely you'd get back half what you'd spend even if you did 100% of it yourself - the "38 Chevy" part of it appears quite rough, the "armored car" part isn't even good enough for patterns, and you have no idea what it actually was, who might have made it, or any of it's history, so it has no special value = no market, unless you made it a high end street rod, in which case you might sell it for half what you spent if the right person came along

the ugly: if the tires really are $800 new, that's the only value in it, but the guy was goofy to start there on a $200 truck

Bill

I think you should look at it as a hobby and one where you will never recover your costs. Some people spend gobs of money just to travel and come back with nothing but photos and memories - but that is what they want to do.

If your family can afford it ie you have extra money and there are no huge arguments with wife and it is what you want to do then do it.

Dan Bentler

Personally I think that is the coolest truck. The rarity of it might make it worth more than some think here, but I agree that it isn't something you should 'turn'. How bad is the rust as a lot of rust repair will ad a significant amount of time to your restoration.

If you want it, and will either enjoy the restoration, or will likely keep it, then what in the world are you waiting for? You would certainly have a hard time finding a rarer 38 big bolt. When you deduct the cost of the tires then you are looking at 1200 which I'd be all over. If I lived any where near Denver, then the little red creature on my left shoulder would be urging me to go look at it.

Until I moved I lived 15 miles from this truck and would have been happy to lay an eye on it for you. But from the photos alone I wouldn't want to offer any money for it. Maybe you have something to trade?

she looks pretty rough from the pictures.. and they generally look better in the pictures then they do in real life from my experience.. which i learned the hard way.. haha

Anyway.. i would go have a look at it... and see what is missing.. if he has all the panels for it 1200 (800 for tires) wouldnt be to bad in my opinion.. but if what is shown in the pictures is what he has... then i think i would have to pass.. although it is a very cool and rare truck... but if you have to either make or have the roof made for you.. that alone will cost a small fortune..

let us know what you end up doing.. but i think you should go look at it and take some more pictures for us...