The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '49 GMC wrecker

I just ran across a wrecker for sale, and I've always wanted one. The owner wants $1,000 and he'll just as well hang on to it another 15 years rather than take any less. So bargianing is out of the question. I'm used to getting old trucks for $500 or so, but I figure the 4-speed granny transmission with PTO and wench with 100' of 5/8 cable is worth the extra cash. The chain drive to the wench seems to still hooked up. Hopefully I'm right in assuming that a 1961 235 that I have laying around ought to bolt up to the 4-speed without complications. I understand this truck had a pontiac engine with auto transmission, but they were both removed when it was made into a wrecker. The cab is in remarkable condition for 60 years old, with nice unclouded corner window glass. There isn't a whole lot of rust through, just a few small spots near the cab corners, and along the lower seams on the hood. Lots of surface rust all over, but no big dents. It has the little aeroplane hood ornament, and factory radio. It's missing the engine, radiator, motor mount brackets and hood hinges. The spreader bar, and hook is missing, as well as the thick rubber pads that attach to it.

My question to you gents is: is it worth $1000 in your' opinion?

I saw that one on craigslist in San Antonio.
It looks more like a boom truck(for drilling wells, setting poles for barns, etc.)
Without a title or engine, I would be cautious paying that much.

No title? I'd pass.

Unless there is something special about the wrecker body it doesn't sound like this one is a great deal. I too prefer not to pay a lot for my trucks, though I'd go $1000 for the right wrecker real fast.

No motor, no title, no papers. What does it have besides lots of rust, dents and a winch that may or may not work.

Thanks for talking me down guys.
The deal breaker for me is that whatever it was built for, it's basically home made, and it would cost quite a bit of time and money to convert it into a usable wrecker. The rest of the issues are inconsequential, I can get titles, weld, paint, and fix nearly anything mechanical, as long as it's antique.