The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Going to look at 57 Stepside "all original" HELP!

Hello, I am going to look at a 57 Chevy stepside this evening, it happens to be right here in town...and I'd like some advice as to what specific things to look for/watch out for, on these trucks. Any specific options to look for? (I have historically been more of a chevy musclecar guy!)

The owner has been hard to get ahold of, but here is what I know thusfar from some small/ poor quality photos, and from talking to him briefly.

1. It is a "big window" cab

2. It runs and has the original 283

3. All the glass is there and good

4. it appears to be all-original and the seller claims to have purchased it from the original owner (but who knows). It definately appears that it has not been hot rodded.

5. "No rust" (says the seller)

6. He says that the bench seat, the master cylinder, and the tailgate were all stolen when he had the truck parked unattended for some weeks after buying it. (Pretty Strange, but, OK.)

The asking price is 2.5K which to me seems to be about right given that it is a big window truck and that there is no rust (if that turns out to be true) and that it is orginal/not hot rodded/unmolested.

He says it has no dents and from the photos, it has enough patina to the paint that the paint appears to be original.

Does 2.5K sound about right? I know right off the bat that I will have to go through the brake system, find a bench seat, find a tailgate...

Any inputs/advice appreciated!

Rob

welcome to the shop Rob, good choice to switch to trucks

price sounds fair - for rust, look carefully at the lower hinge pockets [and behind them, under the fender] and the cab corners from inside, as well as the door bottoms, although being a dry area truck rust may well not be an issue .... for the V8 being original, in 57 a light truck would have had the 265, not a 283, check if the front mount frame pads are riveted on [original] or bolted [added later] .... it could be a 265 he thinks is a 283, or could be a replacement

Bill

Bill, thanks for the info, much appreciated! Just out of curiosity, are there any items I should be especially concerned with on this truck, if they are missing? (in other words, items that, if missing, are not available in the aftermarket/repro parts industry and would be hard to find and expensive to replace?)

I see that the tailgate is available as a reproduction, so that's good to know...(if the repros are any good?)

I think the repros are OK, but original [used] is always best - just about everything for the 55-59 trucks is available, and most all the normal 'wearing parts' can be had from a local parts store, like NAPA, including that master cyl

Bill

WElcome to the Stovebolt. You've made a good choice for a truck. As squeeze said, most of the parts you will need can be found locally. For those you can't find there are several vendors that can help. Check the links here at the bolt for a few ideas of who, what, where.
Your are at the right place for knowledge and folks that can and will help you.

Hi Guys,

Well, I went to look at the truck, and, while it IS certainly restorable, it has just too many rust issues, for the asking price. (This truck sat out in the elements for a Loooong time, and per the tags, was last registered in 1968). Seller was really not very knowledgable about the truck nor the meaning of RUST, LOL.

A realistic price for it based on all the problems, is probably closer to $1K. Still looking around for another 57 and I actually found out about a 3/4 ton longbed located a few hours away that I plan to go and see in the next week or two.

Are the 3/4 ton trucks more desirable? I can't seem to find much information on them.

other than rear end, suspension and brakes the 3/4 and 1/2's are about the same - for me 3/4'ers aren't desireable, and the long stepsides particularly don't generate much interest [or price], brake parts are scarcer, ride is rougher .... just depends on what you want the truck for and how much work you're looking for

Bill

Thanks Bill! A question, is the actual wheelbase of the long-bed truck the same as the short-bed? Is the tail end of the frame of the truck just longer, on the long bed truck? (I guess what I'm asking is, is converting to a short-bed, a fairly easy proposition?)

The 3/4 ton truck I'm looking at has a bed with a lot of problems, so I'm wondering about converting it over to a shortbed. Cutting and sectioning, re-welding the tail end of the frame would not be difficult for me.

shortbed = 114" WB, longbed = 123.25"
the frame would have to be shortened between the axles to fit a short bed, has been done, but check yer local DMV regs for legality

Bill

Thanks Bill. Was hoping the WB was the same. Might decide to pass on this one....

I like the 3/4 ton because it is not the same as all the others out there. The ones guys do buy usually get shortened, a new set of springs and an axle swap. I just got a set of origional 8 lug wheels and plan on keeping mine stock-ish. You can also get a nice truck for a better deal because it is "less desirable".
Mike