The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk So I am about to buy my first old truck...

and I am not mechanically inclined. Its a 41 Chevy - see link to picture below. It has been in an old garage for about 8 years. Brakes are locked but park brake is not set. Its a 216. Tires have air. Tailgate, windshield are missing. Floorboards and seat are pretty much rotten. Fenders have some rust and one small hole. Engine turns. Body is overall in ok shape but not great by any stretch. I will post more pics later.

Where are the gotchas with these trucks? What should I check for? How do I evaluate it to make an offer?

Here is a link
http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/DaveRootz/library/41%20Chevy%20pickup

Looks like a neat old truck. This being an advice column I will give you mine. Unless you can do almost all the work yourself you will be better off buying one that is complete & up & running. One that has been setting that long will need extensive work just to get it up & running. This is a great hobby & the guys on this website are very helpful but if you get in over your head it will turn into a frustrating money pit.

Looks to be a solid candidate for restoration or? If you are not mechanically inclined do you have friends who are? Are you willing to learn? These trucks are expensive if you can do most of the work and really expensive if you have to pay someone else. That being said they are simple in construction and design. They enjoy good parts availability, they are much simpler than a similar year car because the interiors are basic. Many people buy a truck as a project and like you describe it sits for years in a garage or barn and is passed on. You need to think about your capability, disposable cash, suitable storage (took me 4-1/2 years to ground up restore my truck and I do have solid mechanical skills). The other consideration is how does the rest of the family feel? Many nights my youngest daughter poked her head into my shop and said "Mom was wondering if your girlfriend will let you come and eat." It is a commitment, my advice take all the comments you will receive here and make sure it works for you. One thing is for sure nothing will make you smile like driving one after you bring it back!

First thing to ask BEFORE anything else:

Does it have a title?

If the answer is no walk away from it.

I've been wrenching for decades but my truck is by far the oldest vehicle I've ever owned and there is a looonnngg list of things I would have looked for when buying it but didn't know any better. Luckily I met some very cool people along the way who have taught me loads. That said, I'm in St.L too, if ya want a second set of eyes on it or someone to bounce thoughts off of, let me know. I'm always happy to help someone dive into the hobby. ...especially if it's a in stovebolt!

Looked at the picture Dave, I would jump at the chance to grab
that truck if the side and back view are as good as the front.
Price would have a lot to do with whether it had the stock
running gear still in place and the interior parts.

You've got some excellent advice from the other guys about
weighing your intent and your capabilities. It's not gonna be
one you can fill with gas, check the oil and drive around town.
Even an experienced home restorer would end up with several
years of full time work and probably eight to twelve thousand
invested for a complete restoration.
I would beg to differ with John about the title. I looked at one
a few years ago and gave it a pass because it was without
title. The gentleman that had it decided to keep it and went
thru the steps to get a lost title and although it cost a
couple hundred bucks it wasn't all that bad.

Then there is the initial price. At $2000 it would be a steal,
if it's complete I would be thinking in the $4000 to $5000 range.

Good luck.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks all for the great responses. I actually own a purple 53 GMC - link below. But it was completely modernized when I bought it. Not much to do but enjoy it - which I am!
http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/DaveRootz/media/53GMCrear_zpsfd3b4f66.jpg.html


The seller is asking 5k for the 41 Chevy. I am no expert but I did have a friend who is a meachanic look at it and he described the body as rough. The fenders have some rust and one hole. It's lacking skirts, tailgate, windshield. etc. The engine does turn as noted above, but the brakes are locked and the seller is not offering to try starting it. its been sitting 8 years. He suggested boiling out the engine... and I am thinking - how do I do that? My mechanic says offer half, and get a flatbed towtruck to get it out. Then he gave me some good step by step instructions on what to do next to try to see if the engine is good. It does have a title, but no keys.

Thanks again for the great advice, any additional tips at all on what you would ask the seller would be much apreciated! I am likely to make a decision soon. If I buy it, I would consider it a likely 10 year project.

What a great group - Thanks much!
Dave

$5000 is way too much for a non running truck with parts missing. $1500 would be about right.

Cletis is probably right. It does depend some on location to. Around my parts that truck would bring around 2500. In the end its what its worth to you.

As mentioned, these projects take time. Have a plan. You can tear them apart and stack it in the corner in one day. I spent approx. 6 years on each of my two projects and found that if I did something every day it kept me motivated....hence my saying of "at least 15 minutes a day". Its nice to fix a few things as you take them off. Some stuff is just plain labor. Remove, clean, prime/paint and put it on the shelf for when you need it.
Its not motivational to look at a pile of pieces everyday.

Good luck, keep us posted. My opinion...YOU CAN DO IT.

Around here you can get drivers for $5000.

I think that if your up to the task then jump in. There is lots of help around to get you thru the tough times of restoring a prize like that. I too just recently purchased another complete runnning 1953 1 ton dually that needs some work. Around here the price is really reasonable to get one($300-1000). As for a title the local DMV can get you straightened out in the right direction just make sure you get a bill of sale with all the sellers info on it including a phone#. Anyway I think you will make the right decision whatever it might be & good luck. Keep us posted

I have been looking for a 1941 to a 1946 Chevy and have seen them from $350 Rough and pretty well rusted out up to $35000 ground up restored. I am wanting one to put on a modern chasis and haul our antique tractors with so really want a front clip and cab. Have been able to find some decent trucks and a few may run for $1500 to $2500. $5000 is to high I live about 2 1/2 hours north and east of STL

I paid $3500 for my '41 and it had a title and was running with all the parts there. They were just getting ready to paint it.

Wow. I agree. $5k is WAY too much. For that price it should run, drive home and stop with out issue. ...not to mention be in way better interior and exterior condition. Half seems fair from what I can see in the photos, maybe $3k-3500 if he has a big parts bin to go with and will start it for you.

Thanks all! I am better prepared to make an offer, thanks to you.
Dave

I looked on craigslist in Missouri and surrounding area and found a couple in similar or a little rougher shape for $1000 - $2750. There is one on ebay sitting at $1250. My thought is to run from this one, your patience will find you a better deal somewhere down the road.

Can you share the listings from Craigslist? I am perusing and not finding comparable trucks yet.

Thanks for the heads up!

Dave

Craigslist links are not allowed in General Truck Talk. Use PM.