The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1939 Truck Price question

I stumbled on a 1939 one owner completely original pickup that has no dents, faded paint and little surface rust, engine runs, everythings is there. Title, owner's manual, and has been in a barn since the husband died. How much would this pickup be worth? http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n611/19Chevy38Guy/Truckphoto31.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n611/19Chevy38Guy/Truckphoto21.jpg


http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n611/19Chevy38Guy/TruckPhoto11.jpg

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Nevada 2010 Chevy

Since the area you live in is not the "rust belt" I'd say its worth 1500-2500. I've seen worst go for more.. and some for less. How bad do you want it?

How long is "since the husband died"? It looks like a pretty good old truck and in similar shape to my 40 dodge that I got in trade. The traded goods were valued at about $1500.

Check out the 1930's & 40's TRUCKS AND PART'S list that I posted in the craigslist/ebay section of the swapmeet. One of the reasons I post these lists are for price comparisons. There are 4 or 5 1939's on there at various prices and conditions.

My guess is that it's worth in the $2000 - $3500 range, because of the condition and it has a valid title.

Buying it for less would be a great deal. The fenders are worth at least $800, the grille $150 etc.

I don't know how long it was since the husband died, but it was parked in the barn in the Yosemite, Calfifornia area which is really rusty area (from what I'm told). From what they told me there is no parts necessary because it was well taken care off by the owner.

Like GMONIZ says....even if you parted it out you should get $2000. Good running boards for those years are almost impossible to come by, windshield frame - same. Steel fenders rare, original grille and bumpers. Would be a shame to break up this old baby but I think you are covered $$ wise.

This truck is a gem. They just don't show up this nice that often. I think you'd do best to buy it as cheaply as you can, and then if you really wanna resell it, advertise it here after you've got a thorough evaluation, or put it on ebay. You'll do fine. I *wish* I had stumbled upon this beauty. Do the right thing. Parting this out would be a crime. It's too complete.

Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating parting this truck out! I am just using the value of the parts show the value the truck. Whenever someone asks to price something without being there, one can only use tools, other pictures, experience and the net.

With a little elbow grease and some water this one would definitely be a keeper.

The price I guess at was what I think would be a fair purchase price. If the present owner wants to put the elbow grease, time and money in it, I would put the price much higher.

I'll let you know the price, the guy was in a bad spot and the listing was not priced. I was just wondering how much to offer him. Me and my grandpa would buy it to fix it to complete originality and grandpa would have a 39 (same year he was born) and I would have a 38 (one of my three favorite classic Chevys). Thank you all for the help and imput.

Nevada 2010 Chevy, I bought a '36 Chevy pickup in about that condition in 1965 and I have maintained this interest since then.

Intact trucks like the one you found are extraordinarily rare. Ordinarily the fenders are either missing, from the wrong year truck or have beads that are either hopelessly damaged or "Repaired" with huge ugly bugger welds.

Bumpers are usually missing, and the list goes on and on.

The mechanical parts are a dime a dozen because of availibility from street rod builders but the body parts in useable condition are rare.

I'm guessing there is some serious rust or rust through at the cab and door bottoms, but if you take the time to learn to weld and straighten body metal that is all very fixable. If I learned body repair without using bondo, anyone can.

Well, I talked to the guy and saw more detailed pictures of it. He's firm at 20,000. His reason because it's a one owner, has 53,000 thousand original miles, not parts are missing or broke, no dents or rust throughs, the wife mentioned the guy really took care of his pickup. Anyway, the pedals are like new (no wear on the pedal ribs at all). The grille has no cracks, the windows are all there, all the oils are good and new, the pickup was serviced at 53000 miles according to the old Chevrolet sticker. Tires are all good, the guy was telling me that I can drive it the way it is. So, we’ll see, I might be able to offer to him if he isn’t able to sell it later on. What do you think for what this pickup has to offer? I just don’t know, I haven’t seen a complete original pickup that has no issues at all. I’m going to go look at it for myself, we’ll see.

I love old trucks but sometime you just have to RUN. There are trucks out there that are original, and some restored to original, for less....IMHO thats out of the ballpark.

It'll sit there at that price and rust. You can buy a lot of trucks for $20k

That's what I tried telling the guy, but he's firm because he believes that's how much it is worth because of it's complete originality. I told him that I could buy cheaper trucks already restored, but he was saying that yeah they may be "restored" but they might have replaced parts that aren't original, or they might have used bondo. He said this pickup doesn't have any issues except the paint. ????? So I'm curious to see who is really going to buy that "if" he sells it.

Run like heck from that one!
The guy is a total tool ,theres no chance he'll sell it for that kind of money, not even close.
He's been watching too much Barrett Jackson TV !!
You have that kind of money to flush, I'll gladly sell ya mine!

Nevada2010Chevy, the guy is either bluffing or he is crazy. On a good day he might get offered 1/3 of that asking price if he's not in a hurry. That thing needs way more than "paint". You don't just spray paint over what's there now.

He's right about a restored truck probably being full of bondo. Going over them with a magnet will detect the bondo. When I got my '36 in 1965 I showed it to some body shops and they were ready to slather bondo all over it. I figured "That's not body work, it's plastering" and learned metal work and painting in adult education high school. It's not as tough as you may think. If you're interested, I'll send you a photo of what the home done restroation looks like today.

If you're even considering in parting with $20K you can get a really nice finsihed vehicle in this economy or spend a lot less and do your own work.

it won't sell at that price, "totally original" only means something if it's in very good condition, and that trucks had a hard life - the wiring will be shot, all the driveline bearings will need replacing, looks like the windshields are fogged beyond use, upholstery will be brittle at best and a total repaint means total disassembly - it'll need thousands of dollars and a lot of time to make it a truck yer grandad would be proud to drive

give the guy your number, tell him to give you a call when he settles on a realistic price

Bill

(There is) one on ebay for $3500 for comparison. It's mechanically incomplete but street rodders can hardly give away that mechanical stuff. 216 engines are worth scrap iron prices and transmissions and axles are not exactly considered treasures either..

Obviously he doesn't want to do anything but get the big bucks. Is this some guy selling it for the widow or did he buy it and wants to make big money on it?

I have seen very nice 1939 trucks in near pristine original condition sell for under $10,000 and this one isn't close.

Give the window your number and let her know that when she wants to really sell it, to give you a call.

That is a lot for that truck. Need to drop a "0" off the end of that price.

No, the widow told the guy to give her an offer, which I don't know what he offered her, and now thinks it's worth 20,000. He did say that one guy was ready to buy it with all the money! But he rejected the buyer because he was going to street rod it, cut it and chop it up, he wants to sell it to someone who will restore it to original. Too bad some one else didn't come across it. If you know of any other 1939, post it on the Trucks wanted on the post Looking for 1939 Chevy Pickup. Thanks

Wow. This guy is dreaming. If you really want it, I suggest you find a reputable appraisal service that is local to you. In fact, you might even want to spring for two appraisals. If he's convinced it's worth that, come to him with the results of "finished auctions" from ebay, and a pro appraisal or two, and see what happens. That truck is a great example of an original that's had a relatively easy (not hard) life stored outside. The vast majority had hard lives. That's why they have missing or beat to crap fenders and farmer welded straps holding them together, and grills caved in. Even so, it's a project truck. See if you can make him a deal to bargain based on an objective professional appraisal, and comparables from ebay. That might just jog him back to reality. I would say that even in this economy, if this truck doesn't have major rust issues, if it truly is complete unmolested and is a time capsule that runs drives and stops, you've essentially got a paint-by-numbers restoration and that's worth a premium. What's a premium? I'd say you should be able to walk with that truck for a maximum of $5,500. If it's got rust issues You might be talking more like $4,500 on the top end. This is NOT a common truck, and The rear fenders alone are worth $800-$1000 if they are as nice as they appear. There are quite a few 1 year only items on that truck.
You also have to take into account what the potential sentimental value of the truck will be to your grandpa. Bottom line, old trucks are not a money making enterprise. They are an expensive hobby that rarely shows a return. If you want it, go after it doing your due dilligence, with no regrets!

On they other hand, this guy might get to be buried in his truck no matter what if he won't listen to reason!

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

I don't get it, the widow owns it, the guy is trying to sell it to another guy and you for 20K, and your trying to buy it.
Why aren't you talking to the widow directly, dump the guy whos's clearly trying to screw you.
Otherwise just pass, on it.

He bought the pickup from the widow at a price I don't know from Yosemite and brought it to Yuba City to his house to sell it. He thought he might restore it but he said he doesn't have time and would rather sell it to some one who would fix it to originality. And I did try telling him that I could buy 39 Chevy pickups professionally fixed (no slopped on bondo but a thorough clean job) for that price. But he said that this has everything original, those restored ones don't have the original like this has. So from over the phone he's firm on that price. But I'll be checking in once in a while offering him what it's really worth. We'll see.

Sounds to me that he paid more than it's actual value without doing any research on it and is trying to flip it and make a profit. If it's in such great shape and he bought it to restore why doesn't he just do that?

He's lying from the get-go.

You can't reason with a sick mind.

Nevada 2010,

I think this truck has an amazing aura, patina whatever you want to label it. I would buy this in a a hearbeat. I wouldn't consider painting this one bit. It looks very unique how it is, and to me that adds value, but that is me. I am not a perfect paint pursuer. I am on the east coast, so these things are far more rare. I would offer 1200 and work my way up. If I had the money I would go 2500-3k. It is a shame these old gems don't have higher values. I think people think these are never ending or something and they will be here forever. That is not a lot of money to have something so old and unique.

This deal " smells ". His story about being offered 20k by someone who wanted to rod it is total BS !. Whatever he paid the widow ( if she even exists ), he's looking for a quick buck.
Let him leave it sit outside his house and watch his investment depreciate.

$20,000! One owner who took great care of it! What a load of crap. Look at it now. Reminds me of a time I looked at a '46 Ford coupe that was parked behind a local garage. It was in rough shape-the guy wanted 8,000 for it and this was a number of years ago when you could pick a nice one up for 5,000. The chrome was peeling off the bumpers where it could cut you if you ran your hand over it. The guy told me, "But I had those re-chromed in 1972!" Yeah, and the coupe was new in 1946, I told him. The truck was new in 1939, but it sure isn't now. The seller is a nutball!

Don't let it get away from you. You'll regret it later. Just remember, they ain't maiking any more of them. You'll have a truck that is as rare as a queer tomcat, and the enjoyment of working on it and getting it up and going again is priceless.

rare as a queer tomcat, that is funny..
the guy is nuts to think he will get that kind of money.
wait till someone gives him a good offer, then tell him you will
beat that offer by 100 bucks.