The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 50' 3/4 ton 3-win. vs 54' 1/2 ton 5-win.: Advice

Gents,

Need your help again on my never ending saga trying to decide on what truck to purchase...

I've identified a couple of really good options. Both seem to be in very good shape. Kent Zimmerman (in AZ) from our forum has done me the great favor of checking out the '50 3-window Chevy 3/4 ton and says it is in very good condition (older frame off restoration). Firm price of $16k. I'm looking for something that is very close to stock/original. This truck has a 235cid vs a 216, 12v vs 6v and a 3.90 rear end vs a 4.57. I do wish it had the original 216 and was still 6v but the rear end is an improvement in my opinion.

The '54 5-window Chevy 1/2 ton is in the Palmdale/Lancaster area of Southern Cal. The seller says the truck is in excellent condition. Was a frame off restoration in the late 90's but still very clean, etc. This one is really original, meaning the correct engine, 6v, transmission, etc. However, his bottom line is $20k.

I like both trucks. As an investment (ability to get most of my money back later when I sell it), I believe the '54 is a better bet, but it will cost me more upfront. So, from a collectibility and value perspective, which is a better truck to purchase in your opinions???

Anyone in the Lancaster/Palmdale area able to have a look at the '54? Would greatly appreciate it. Again - a big thanks to Kent Zimmerman for giving the '50 a thorough look-over!

Thanks,
Marc

what are your plans after you get a truck. drive the crap out of it or leave it parked afraid it will lose value if you drive it? personally without seeing either one i wouldnt pay for something that high and able to spot what the high price tag was based upon. for that price id be wanting to smell fresh paint on both of them, new rubber, engine rebuild new brake system,new steering componets. you change the 50 back to 6 volt and there you have your close to stock your looking for. why would you want to go from a 54 or later 235(im going to assume upgraded during frame off) to a 216 just because of originality? as for a five window i dont know what all the hype is all about in value since i dont own any. i think its for people that cant read mirrors while backing up. buy the one your gut tells you to buy. if you cant make up your mind flip a coin. is seems to me money isnt an issue on your end.

Both seem like a ton of money to me. Last year I bought a very solid 52 3 window 3100 (1/2 ton) for $5500 in Roanoke, Va. After learning more about the value of these trucks, that was in the ball park. A 48-53 has to be in pristine cond. to be worth 20 grand. I am talking new everything. Motor, trans, glass, paint, all rubber. Everything. One with a 350 V8 and custom/new everything- power windows, interior, smoked glass, maybe tubbed, are worth 25 grand, tops. The previous reply had it right- think about how u are going to use the truck. If it is to be show only and stock then go that route. If u want it to be reliable and driveable-then completly stock probably isn't the way to go unless u are a very "busy" mechanic. Meaning it will take alot of tinkering on a regular bases. Most likely. Another thing to consider is how much do u want to work on it or am willing to pay someone else to work on it? If u like working on things then buy one with a good foundATION- MEANING BODY and decent mechanicals and make it into what u want. ( 5 to 10 grand- you'll have 15-20 into it by the time it is "done") If u are looking for a completely stock show queen u can find one for under 20 grand and mint- I promise u. By the way, my 52 is in very good cond., 90% stock and I would sell it for $5500 today. Just sayin'.....

They are both priced rather high but being able to get your money out of it later is a very big risk. Most of us don't think about that but it would have to be a huge bargain to have a reasonable chance of getting your money back. There are so many aspects to these "restorations" that one person's version is different then someone else's.

Thanks for the input guys. I'm leaning towards the '50. It's going to be a weekend driver so the rear end ratio of 3.90 is a good thing, and I can live with it being 12 volts; for now anyway. Later may convert it back to 6v for originality and so that it occasionally doesn't crank the engine over and I have something to curse about... I may offer the seller a little under his firm price of $16k and hope to come to an agreement on price. It really is a sweet truck just the way it sits. If I drive it for the next five plus years and end up putting another 5k to 7k into it, I can live with that I guess. Maybe some day I'll be able to sell it for the $15k to $16k I'll have paid for it.

At the end of the day, it's a hobby and hobbies cost money. I'll have to live with that. Just trying to justify the expense in my accountant's mind. Us number crunchers tend to remove the fun/joy out of every transaction and simply boil it down to dollars and cents. Doesn't always work I guess.

I've been looking for months now and the trucks I've found under $10k or so have been in a condition where I'd have to do quite a bit of work to them - both mechanically and cosmetically. I just don't have the time or mechanical knowledge for this level of restoration. So I'm having to go for options at a higher price point. Amazing that there are trucks nearby being sold by classic car dealers at $30k to $36k. They sell these things as quickly as they get them in the door. Shipping them all over the world. Just last month a local dealer sold two at over $30k each. Granted, these are in top condition - you could eat off the engine bay or under carriage. All frame off restoration mint condition trucks. All 5 window, show beds, "as new" interiors, Chevy 1/2 tons. I'm not looking for this as I want to actually drive the the truck instead of parking it in my living room...

Thanks again for the input and please keep it coming!
Marc

OK, if you are an accountant, this is a very bad hobby!! One thing for sure, most of the really nice trucks that you see going for these prices cost a lot more to build. I think you will enjoy your purchase immensely.

Go for it. It's only money!!! Happiness is priceless. Just pic a good one. There are a ton of 'em out there-still.

As a new owner of a 1952 3100 truck, I can appreciate all of the work that the PO did to make the truck a better daily driver. 1961 235 engine, 12 v upgrade, open driveshaft conversion, etc.
Since you don't have the time to do too much work, get the best truck you can for the money you want to spend however don't fall into the trap of buying a "perfect" truck and then be afraid to get out and drive it. These trucks do require more frequent maintenance but for me that's one of the fun parts also. Whatever you get, just drive it!

Money aside, value aside, look them both over and pick the one you like the best. Personally, sight unseen, I'd pick the 50. I like the longer bed, the 3/4 ton is more rare I suppose, but the rear ratio and 12 volt (probably just a resistor) and the 235 cid would seal the deal for me. Unless you're looking to put it in car shows originality is overrated. Remember, they're only original once. The 50 would look original and run a lot better. I like the vent window the 54 has but the 50's front end is much sharper to me.