The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Newbie looking for some advice

So a 59 chevy pick up caught my eye a few months ago and I"m taking my mechanic buddy to check it out on Wednesday. The body looks to be in pretty good shape and the seller supposedly has a clean title. I think I can get the truck, title and an LT1 engine with trans and wire harness for about 2 grand. Can anyone give me a ballpark on what it might cost to get this rig running and driving?

Sounds like 2 grand

It will depend on how much you want to do with it, how you want to rebuild (original, rat rod, muscle....) and if you want to take it to shows or just drive it. I have an initial investment of $2500. That bought me a 52 3 /4 ton with the original 6, and a lot of work done on the cab. I've dropped another 750(ish?) in parts to get all the screws, rubber, and other small parts. Plus a new wiring harness and parts to convert it to 12 volt.

Definitely not doing a show truck thing. Want to drive it and enjoy the aged look of it. I'm thinking of doing some sort of clear coat type thing on the paint to maintain the patina. I might end up dumping more into the interior than anything else. I'm not builidng a hot rod or even a rat rod necessarily but I would like it sound cool- doesn't have to be fast. Thanks for getting back to me! I sold this to my wife unde rthe pretext that it's a gift for my son...who is only 8 months old!

It all depends on how much of the work you do yourself or how much beer you buy for your mechanic budy. They all need plenty of work regardless what the owner says. If you have to take it to shops to get it done its going to turn into a money pit. There is plenty of advice available on this website if you & your budy need it.

A '59 is an excellent choice, don't know how you can go wrong for $2 grand if it ends up being like you describe.

Good luck!

We need pictures

If the body is sound thats a major part of the battle. Large amounts of $$$ can be sucked up with body and paint work. You already have the motor and trans, need a rear end to match, maybe some brake work, wheels, etc. If you can do the work yourself maybe another $ 5,000 ?? Interiors can run from cheap to ridiculously expensive for custom stuff. Maybe plan the work in phases - get it safe and on the road, then pretty it up

Whatever you think it will cost in time and money, multiply that by 5.

My thoughts exactly
And dont think for a minute it will ever be "done" IT NEVER ENDS!

I'm doing a '46 GMC currently and leaving the natural patina. However, I put it on an S-10 chassis with a 455 Buick, and the chassis and running gear is very sound and reliable despite the exterior appearance of the truck. I've been doing mine on the cheap, and do all the work myself, but expect to have somewhere between $5000-6000 in parts into it once I'm done.

I set my budget at $25,000... that way if I come under it.... it's a great day!!! LoL