The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Need opinions re: purchasing a truck

Hello!

Have been looking at a '50 1/2 ton 5 window, and would like some opinions as to worth vs. price, etc. Here's the deal:

'50 Chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, originally from the NW. Non-original 235 that runs well, 4 spd floor shift, original torque tube drivetrain. Truck is in black primer that the owner says was probably just shot over the existing paint, but it was neatly done. Dash is not hacked, interior is complete, some of the glass is cracked, but not badly. There is a sheet of plywood in the bed, original strips are gone. Everything in the dash works, but the wiring looks a little sloppy. Truck is registered and on the road.

Issues: Seller says cab is solid, but futher pics revealed that the pass side floor has been patched right at the body mount, and that the floor had rotted where the cowl panel joins the floor. The rot is not major, but it's there and should be fixed. It's currently covered with fiberglass. The rest of the underside looks solid based on his pics, although there is flaking surface rust several places.

My main concern with the '50 was having to convert from Huck brakes, but I was going to do that anyway.

I wanted to get as rustless a truck as possible. This one is close, but it will need some floor repair, I just don't know how much. I have a mig welder and can weld...I replaced the cab corners on my '59 apache and it came out nice. Based on the pics, the cab corners on this truck look perfect.

Thoughts?

Chris


http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/barsteel/truck1.jpg

Pictures of the areas of concern may help. If its been fixed with fiberglass I'd wonder what other short cuts have been done repairing the truck.

I think you will find that a floor cannot rot just in one spot. My guess would be you would get into the floor pans, cab supports, rocker panels and maybe the inner to outer cowl panels. That being said, it is not unusual see that kind of rust. We are lucky because all these parts are available new.

Forgot to add some detail. Selling price is $5000 firm. Truck is in CA, I am in CT, so add $1100 to the price for shipping.

Here is a link to an album with more detailed shots of the underside.

Being in CT, it's pretty much impossible to find a truck locally that does NOT have major rust issues, unless that truck was shipped up north from somewhere else, in which case the price is fairly high.

Thanks...

Chris

http://s904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/barsteel/

Worth is a fleeting thing but in my opinion the price is way to high even without the shipping and not being able to inspect in person is dangerous.

The truck will need major floor work and the cowls/inner and outer are shot this truck is not what I would call rust free but a typical A-D. The floor has been patched and sealed already so it has been coverted to a 12-volt system w/alternator and yes the work is sloppy. I agree with Ron I think the price is too high there is lots of work here approaching a full restoration.

In my opinion the seller has Barrett-Jackson syndrome. For 5k I would expect to not have to do any major sheet metal patching. Where in California is it?

Its in Yuba City. Also posted on the HAMB and Ebay.

Thats a lot of money for for something your going to have to put another $5000 or more into just make it presentable. The smart money is find someone who's done all the work and wants to get rid of thier truck, at a fair price. Just my 2cents.

Are you sure it has huck brakes ? It appears to have 1951 doors on it.It has a 1954 up 235 engine in it,that's a plus.I think it's up to you if it's worth it or not.The shipping really puts a damper on it.The sheet metal is available from every vendor.

I would make a lesser offer and see if you can get it.


Tim

Speaking as a former owner of a body shop with some familiarity with restoration work, be very suspicious of any vehicle that's been prime-coated. The flat, non-reflective surface finish can hide a multitude of problems with the sheet metal. At the very least, you'll have a big job ahead of you sanding the extra layers of paint off to get down to a surface that will accept a good paint job. That primer was probably applied over years of accumulation of dirt, wax, and road film, so if you apply a good paint job over it, it will peel in no time.

I'd suggest an up-close inspecton, either in person, or an unbiased opinion by someone without a financial interest in the vehicle. Cross-country deals bear too much resemblance to buying a pig in a poke to me!
Jerry

Have a look in the " Trucks for Sale " section of this forum. Seems like a few good deals there. I agree with other posts - 5k is pretty high

Guys -

Thanks for the opinions. I decided not to buy the truck based on what everyone here said. It really helps to have a cold hard objective opinion in a case like this.

Still looking for a nice truck, though, ideal truck would be '48 - '53 1/2 ton 5 window with a floor shift, would consider a 3/4 ton from the '51 - '53. Most of the trucks in my area are "chopped/lowered with a small block, chevy 12 bolt rear and auto transmission", which is exactly NOT what I'm looking for. Looks like I'll have to ship one from out west in order to get something close to rust free.

Guess I have to keep my eyes open...

Thanks...

Chris

I paid $5500 for my '52 3 window(standard cab). The floor had been repaired and looks like an excellent job. Otherwise 90 % rust free. It's a 10 year old frame off restoration and then the next owner was a kid that let it sit outside. Imagine that!!!! Anyway, doors are extra nice, all rubber replaced, interior done, etc. Basically a decent restoration that has gotten old. So I'm in the process of painting it, new bed wood, radial tires, and it got an updated 235 engine. I'm pretty sure it will bring 10 grand, easy, next spring when I'm done. (If somebody doesn't buy it by then) If I were to go all the way and say rebuild the motor and replace all the glass it would be worth more. So compare this $5500 truck with that Ca. truck and yeah, I'd have to agree there are better ones out there for that price. And believe it or not, the 5 window delux model doesn't really bring that much more value to the table. One would think they would, but I haven't seen it. Just some thoughts to compare.

Sounds like you got a decent deal! I've already had several people contact me, but they're all asking in the $10K+ range, which is beyond my budget. I'm more in the range of what you originally paid for your truck, maybe a a bit more. I actually prefer original patina, so I won't have to pay someone for all the efforts of a repaint.

Chris

.... the problem with a lot of "repaints" in my area is that most folks think it improves the worth of a vehicle, which, I agree it would IF done right. Sad part is most quickie paint jobs to "improve" sales if just another pain for buyers since we end up having to strip it off to do a decent paint job....boy, the looks I get when I tell someone its just a makeover!!

EDIT: ...or should I have said a COVERUP!!