The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1946 Canopy Express

Ok found a very nice canopy express that has been sitting a few years and will need extensive freshening. What would be a fair offer? I will try and get some pictures when it quits snowing (yes it has been stored outside)!

How do you expect any one to price a sight unseen truck with no information?

I was hoping someone would have a frame of reference for a solid truck #3 condition needing restoration. Perhaps someone who actually has a canopy express of similar vintage. I didnt have much luck finding any Canopy specific pricing information. I as stated will post some pictures when I can. If you don't own one, don't comment. Oh and have a very Merry Christmas.

Brad, according to the Old Cars Price Guide A #3 is in dang good shape and is what "most" cars are at the crusie-ins with a nice cosmetic job.

According to the "guide" a vehicle with everything there but needing full restoration is a #5.
That being said $3540 is he suggested guide price for 41-47 half ton. A "parts vehicle" is a #6 and is rated at $1180.

Oh, a #3 is suggested at $13,280.

I'm sending you a PM

I found this with Google. estimate


Tim

Thanks for all who posted cognitive, positive information.

The market on these is weak. They were really popular 2-3 years ago and were bringing good money. Today an unrestored complete non-rusted and running 1946 canopy express may bring in $6-10,000. A rusted, non-running and incomplete 1946 will bring $2000-5000. It is worth a lot less if incomplete (missing tailgate and cab divider) There is a limited market for them and finding the tailgate and cab divider is very difficult.

These trucks were prone to rust because of the nature of the vehicle (open cab and/or produce and wet vegetables) and in the 60's when they no longer did door to door produce sales they went into the fields where many of them rusted away or were scrapped.

It is difficult to find information on them especially official doccumented information. They pop up on ebay occasionally, but they are either priced too high or they don't sell because of condition. The 47/55 are more popular, but the market has slumped on these too.

brad did you manage to get any pictures i,m curios as i,v never seen one ,,

Click on this site & you will see hundreds of photos.
Harold

https://www.google.com/search?num=1...66.533.11.11.0...0.0...1ac.1.22h1wFUYtrs

Thanks for the picture link. I have not had a chance to go back yet as the weather here is cold and snowy. It is a 41-46 body style, black in color with tailgate and cab divider intact. Gmoniz your comments helped for market conditions, thank you. I have decided I am going to go over on a good day with my restored truck to begin the discussions. I feel terrible seeing it sitting outside, flat tires and no cover of any kind. I really would love to rescue it!

http://www.obermeyers41autobody.com/

These guys are in the process of completing two nut and bolt restorations on a '41 canopy express as well as what I think is a 1 ton. I have some photos of canopy express trucks on my web page (linked below).

The NADA values are interesting. Interesting in that fact that they actually have the more rare Canopy and Suburbans valued lower than the plentiful pickups. I can't help to wonder if it has to do with the rarity that they come available and the resulting fact that there are no sales to tie back to. I have scoured the auction house records over the past year for past sales of these vehicles and I have basically failed in finding much of anything. There has been an insurgence of old pickups hitting the markets and the prices have gone up considerably (some topping over 50K for top original specs restorations as well as more hot-rodded versions.

I have only seen a handful of these canopy express trucks over the years and most of those are not even close to being road worthy. The earlier comment about most of them just being put out to pasture only to rot away is spot on. There were only 613 canopys built in '46 (532 in '41 and 182 in '42). They are RARE!

Good luck! I would love to see some photos.

...about prices. I like the Old Cars Price GUIDE for just that, a guide.
While the Canopies don't come up often, at auction, they are listed when they do. OCW has been following the "sales" of vehicles for over 40 years. While I do not consider it the "bible" for prices it is a GUIDE.

#1 29,500 #2 20,650 #3 13,280 #4 5,900

#5 3,5400 #6 1,180 these are for 1941-47 1/2 tons

One might first ask what they think it is worth; then make an offer, based on what it would cost to restore plus what they might say, depends on if it is in their way, or they think it is gold plated. Maybe start at $900, or $1,500. Let us know. Good luck.

Ditto on what everyone else has said. Remember cash talks and be ready to buy when you make your offer. Keep us posted and l am looking forward to an update.

I am waiting for a break in the weather so I can get some good pictures and take my truck over to make the approach. I found driving the old truck on these deals opens people up right away. I will keep you all posted.

Okay I could not help myself I went by to see if someone was home. They were not, but I got a pic from the street. Sorry not trespassing as I don't want to kill this deal. As you can see we have had some snow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8322701817/in/photostream

Brad, at least its not sunken into the ground with high grass growing around it guarded by rattlesnakes and mean bulls

Good luck on "the deal".

Definitely worth rescuing. Good luck.

would be nice to restore