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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,115 Posts1,056,291 Members48,439 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 48 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 48 | I found my 53 3100 in a barn 8 blocks from my house, it was inspected and only driven to fetch coal, , very little rot but alot of surface rust,, I gave $500, got 2 radiators and and 6 hubcaps, the truck had brand new 6.6 tires on it,, It has a 292 with all the bells and whistles, 4 speed and camaro posi rear going in in the next few weeks,, its my retirement present>>> | | | | | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 59 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 59 | The first time I bought my 1950 1/2 ton I paid $1100. Spent 2 years working on it and just couldn't afford the time and space at the time. Sold it for $2400. Two years later (Jan. 2010), the guy had to sell it so I bought it back from him for $700! Now I still don't have the time and space but will see if I can't get it to the next level of restoration before selling it again. Maybe I'll just hang on to it this time? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 23 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 23 | Hi, my 1953 GMC 5 window basket case cost $1200.00 (feb 2010) 270 with Hydramatic. I have gotten it to run but the new starter is too slow.that is current issue. I did get another GMC 3/4 ton with no motor or tranny for parts at a reasonable price. Will sell the 3/4 ton one of these days soon. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | I hope you realize the '53 with factory Hydra-Matic is worth restoring to stock. That was the first year for the truck Hydra-Matic and there weren't many sold. The 270 is a desirable upgrade. | | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 47 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2010 Posts: 47 | Paid 2500 for my '62 c-10 but at the same time sold my pistol(had no use for it) to the PO for 250, so I guess it worked out to be 2250. Some may think it high but the truck is in great shape and will save me a lot of time and money come restoration. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 10 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 10 | This 1946 2-ton flatbed with hydraulic hoist/dump was being used by a junk hauler until I bought it last month for $1500. Currently licensed, runs, drives, dumps. A southern New Mexico truck, it has almost no rust. I can continue driving it as is or I am sure I can find ways to spend $$$$ on improvements (and deferred maintenance)! It's a cool ol' truck and a veteran workhorse! http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/ae173/sayulero/1946%20Chevy%202-ton%20dump | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 | Thought I'd repost this. I forgot I had started it and it helped me get a feel for a project I was looking at. Have fun with it.
I'll update this with a later purchase I made for about $3,000. In the spring of 2010 I saw an add for a '46 tonner. The price was a little too high to warrant a call. Later that fall the truck appeared again with a more reasonable price. I loved the 9' box and the tin was all in good shape, I had to have it. I paid a little more than I'd have liked to but since I got my other '46 truck for practically nothing I was Ok with it.
Kyle
Last edited by 641Workmaster; 05/15/2013 10:02 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 176 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 176 | Picked up my 41' GMC COE for $2000, got it home put $300 in it and it runs and drives. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 5 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 5 | I paid $4500 for a 56 Big window small bed. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 150 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 150 | Traded my brother my 67 Triumph TT Special for mine. I'm still wondering who got the better end of that deal.  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,001 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,001 | Picked up my '52 for $950. Non-running, solid block of mostly surface rust. Only original paint remaining was on firewall. Approaching year two of the restoration project. I have not documented total cost to date, but it is not terrible. These trucks are relatively inexpensive to restore. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 188 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 188 | Paid $2500 initially, added about $800 in parts so far, and am looking at dropping another $1000 in a 4 link suspension in a day or two. I look at it as I've doubled my money  | | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2012 Posts: 574 | i saw my truck one day by the side of the highway, and thought i saw $75 on the window, so i called, turned out it was just wishful seeing as the man wanted 800. we struck a deal for me to rebuild ( actually more like make ) his lawnmower and pay him 250 cash and the truck was mine. the guy was really honest about the truck, he really didn't know much but what he told me was true as time has proven, he even was going to give me a v8 if i wanted it, but i declined and kept the inline 6 and loosened it up and got it fixable after 35 years of sitting, and the rest it history 
1949 Dodge Coronet 1955 2nd Chevy 4400 1.5 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1957 Chevy 5400 LCF 2 ton 1966 Dodge D100 Sweptline 1968 Chevy P20 stepvan 1969 GMC LWB pickup 1972 GMC Sprint 1974 CP30 shorty bus There are three things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.----Linus Van Pelt Trying to understand the behavior of some people is like trying to smell the color 9 | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | $200 for my 1954 suburban
23 x that amount for the purchase of a 1954 pickup that is getting restored
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | $2K for my '53 3100 5-window that was parked for about 12 years. Put a few hundred in brakes and interior into it and I'm driving it.
Allan ----- 1951 GMC 1/2-ton Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Paid $1200 for the panel. Didn't want to but the PO had put new king pins and bushings along with new durms/brakes/wheel cylinders and had the springs re-arched or maybe it was a new one or two. Been a long time...... and many many $ later. As of today, after over 6 years later, I finally got to drive it...have 200 miles on it since last week. Whew, what a ride!
...now, the 37, back in 1994, is a whole nuther story!!
Both should have been crushed! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,707 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,707 | Paid $300 for the truck and $27 for the tag. Dragged it 2200 miles home, and then started spending.  Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm TruckStovebolt Gallery Forums1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 290 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 290 | I paid $300 for the 1953 1-ton, $1100 for the 1948 1-ton & the 1953 1/2 ton was given to me by my dad when I turned 16 but I by far have more money into it than any of the others....
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | I paid $900, for the truck initially in '84, drove it with absolutely no work except new king pins, shocks and a new light switch up until about 2 years ago, But since then I have put about a lots of money, now that I'm thinking about it, really lots of money. I'm thinking the fella that got the triumph made out better on that deal. About a week after I bought the truck somebody put a 750 bonneville up for sale for $500, OH I'm tellin ya that was a rough couple of days until I made my peace with that one. Then when I was living in Hawaii, the police department was selling their flathead harley meter maid buggies for once again $500, that hurt as well. (it also has nothing to do with trucks, but my therapist says it helps to talk about it. I really, really wanted either/both of them....)
Last edited by brokenhead; 05/17/2013 6:38 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 174 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 174 | Bought my '55 NAPCO and my '58 NAPCO, $500 each. Just sold the '58 at swap meet for $3000 and all I did to it was a power wash! Now I have the funds to finish my '55! I have maybe $800 into it and about that much to go........I hope! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | My first bolt was my ’53. We were actively searching for one when my Dad called and said he saw one sitting behind a house in his neighborhood. Drove over and knocked on the door and the guy said it was not for sale, no way would he part with it. His family had owned it since it was new, never titled, never registered, never driven on the road.
We talked about the truck and trucks in general for a while and then the guy starts telling me his financial troubles. Turns out he’s behind and needs $300 for his mortgage. So I told him I’d give $300 cash for the truck. The rest is history.
I started keeping a journal on hours and expenses. I think one of the better moments of the restoration was when I pitched it in the trash and decided I would not worry about the costs, it was a hobby.
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,001 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,001 | Yep, that is exactly how you have to look at a restoration. Otherwise most people would not do it if it wasn't a hobby. I keep records, not so much to determine my spending, but for posterity sake. To show others, buyer or whomever, what was done. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 | In '05 I paid $900 for the truck, & about another $900 to have it shipped from New Mexico.
Robert C. If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making. 1950 3600 | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 5 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 5 | I paid 16k for my 52 3100 short bed. Two different people told me that it will never be worth less than that. Fully restored pickup, I took it to my body man for an evaluation...his first comment, "are you going to drive this?" Cool 52 in Illinois | | | | | Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 292 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 292 | traded a 700 dollar jet ski for a 53 3 window and paid 400 cash for 51 5 window. after 4 years wont be completely done but will be able to drive it this summer i hope. Thanks for all the help bolters!
Last edited by johns truck; 05/18/2013 5:38 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 26 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 26 | My 1954 Chev 1ton was given to me. $0.00. Put in plugs,wires,cap,rotor,points,coil,fuel pump, and carb rebuild for about $200.00. Now it runs. Just have to do the rest. : )
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 420 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 420 | I paid $6,000 for mine and it was a mess, not to mention another 1,000 to get it home to Pa. from benton harbor michigan, but it was well worth it, I sunk a ton of money into it and now its my best toy (check out pics) | | | | | Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 543 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2012 Posts: 543 | Sadly, way too much for a truck that looked good but was really shot underneath. It does have a good 235 from a 56 and solid 4 speed, but I had to put in a new IFS front clip and radials to make is a safe driver. I'd likely never get out of it anywhere close to what I put in but I expect that's true for most of us.
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 31 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2012 Posts: 31 | 3600 1949 was $2700 and my 1948 3200 5 window was $3750 | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | I'd like to see a picture of a '48 3200. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | I did a kitchen remodel and the owner was about 3K shy of what was due...
Give me ambiguity or give me something else
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 111 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 111 | Bought the 46 for $200.00 and drove it home. No brakes and stuck in high end. What a ride though!
Ken | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 85 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 85 | I bought my 56 1/2 ton for a dollar from Dad back in 1992. Plus I flew halfway across the country and worked 16 hour days for 2 weeks helping him get ready for a farm auction. We both got a good deal.
We sold several Chevy trucks at the auction. 48 Chevy truck, 63 Chevy truck, a very clean 66 Chevy pickup, and a 71 Chevy Longhorn pickup. Dad held on to his S10 and my brother got the 76 K10 pickup. Dad is a Chevy guy too!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 21 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 21 | I bought ( 3 ) 1941's and a 1929, all 1/2 ton pickups in not so good condition. Realized I paid way too much after they were delivered. But after working on them, you get attached. Wouldn't trade any of them. Even if I could get my investment back. Which I couldn't ! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 603 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 603 | I paid $1500 for the 58 GMC COE, it was running and driving great. But no brakes. After $1000 it has great brakes. Totaled up parts for other stuff tonight, and now im $4500 into it and it looks just like it did when I got it. (see my Photobucket.) But not all the stuff has been installed yet, such as new seat upholstery, glass rubber, door & window handles, paint, the list goes on and on. I am guessing, to get it into decent looking and operating condition I will be at $5500 if lucky. And thats not show condition, just a nice daily driver. Hopefully a car hauler.
57 GMC LCF 370 55 John Deere 40-W 59 John Deere 430-W 2000 GMC 4x4 56 John Deere 420-W Pix on Photobucket | | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 7 | i was looking at a 51 ford vic for a long time, but the owner wanted to play games. i was on craigslist and found a 58 apache 36 tow truck for 1800. the ad said it ran, so what the hell. i found the place out in the middle of nowhere and checked it out. i offered 1500 and limped it home.a headgasket and a set of tires and wheels later i drive it about every day. i still have a long way to go, but i'm having fun. ps, the wife got over being mad at me for buying it lol | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | A tow truck! Cool. I need one of those. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 19 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 19 | Mine was bought back in 2000 for $750.00. Brought it home and the HOA started to complain so I sold it to a body shop that wanted it for $1800.00. Roll 10 years later and bought it back from him for $500.00. I am still ahead even after all the rust that grew on it in between.
Mike
http://www.facebook.com/54bigbolt?ref=hl#!/54bigbolt
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