The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Take a look. What would you offer. 1954 Chevy pickup.

I looked at this today and I'm up in the air on it. 1954 1/2 ton pickup. 6cly was replaced and still has the 3 speed. The body seems pretty solid. The back and drivers side window are cracked and the interior is kinda ruff with after market gauges and some items missing, like the glove box door. The bench seat isn't half bad. It's 12 volt system with key start. It has an open driveshaft and 5 lug wheel axle. It is a driver but needs a carb adjustment to keep running. Let me know what you think. What would be a fair price to offer considering what you see? I'm just looking to make it a rat rod and not a total restore. Maybe drop a v8 and auto trans later. Thanks, Bill

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The picture appears to have been removed. Sounds like a butchered up project that may or may not be worth $1000.

Ok trying new link

...body SEEMS pretty solid. That means its NOT good.

...seat isn't half bad means it really is half bad.

...interior rough means a "re-do" (gauges aren't cheap either)

...carb adjustment means rebuild

...cracked windows = not cheap

I think you have answered at least part of your question.

However, if you can verify the metal is solid there is a lot of money saved there compared to body rates and buying new metal.

In my area a running driving truck would being the big grand. Seeing your a HVAC man I figure you can do a lot of stuff your self as your not afraid to get dirty.

Start off around 750, meet in the middle and go for it!!!
Hey, its easy for us to spend someone else's money. Sorry we can't see pics.
Good luck, let us know how things turn out. The guys and gals here are willing to share knowledge and support. Let your conscious be your guide!!..... and your wallet

note: last years old cars price guide list the truck for 1,120 in condition #6 which is a parts truck. Just FYI.

Oh, Alvin, you are so negative (and, very realistic).

Ok try the link again. ipad. I had to go to the desk top. This guy was at 5000.00 and he's down to 2500.00 There's lots of metal there and very little bondo. I'm a seasoned bondo detective, lol. Just know nothing about owning an old truck. Maybe I should wait it out for something else. My budget was 5000.00 for a runner.

But its got shinny new exhaust!

$2500 does not seem to outrageous for that truck

Yea after the little bit of searching sale adds on the net and craigslist, I thought it was within reason. When he first was at 5000 he asked me what I'd give for it( old guy, tired of working on it) and I said I'd still have to think about it at 2000.00. We got down to 2500.00 and that's where we are at.

$1500 or less. It needs a total restoration. I said it a couple weeks ago...People are starting to ask big money for the AD trucks. I think it is because of all the car restoration shows on cable TV that make people think these things go for big money. Good luck!

Thx David. Back in the day my buddies would go with me to give opinions now I rely on forums for some input. I'm about 80% done on my Camaro project and wasn't sure on another project. Thx for your input.

I once owed a '71 RS Camaro that I restored back in my youth (my mother owned the car from new) while adding a LT1 spec 350. Unfortunately, I let that car go about 25 years ago for a song.

A 67-69 Camaro would be my next restoration project. I have been casually looking, but like these trucks, people want crazy money for basket cases. I want to find an unmolested and complete car (preferably an RS or SS). But, it seems most unrestored cars are missing the engine, or various interior pieces. That was the main reason for buying my truck...complete unmolested in every way.

I would have gone $3k so $2500 seems pretty good. IMHO

Considering your location, the condition of the truck, the year of the truck and the modifications done to it, I would say you were about dead on with your $2000 offer. You are planning more of a rat rod and this is an ideal candidate.

Bringing this back to the original state would be costly and time consuming finding the correct 2 year only parts. The new exhaust is good, I bet it was installed to sell because the exhaust fumes were coming in through the floorboards and rust holes.

Make sure you check out the wiring, windshield wipers, heater etc. Those parts can be expensive to buy. Does this truck have to pass an inspection with the title change? If so, make sure that is part of the deal. Good luck! ...........g

No, no inspection needed for title change. I'd get antique tags, meaning no inspections. It even comes with two new bumpers and the wheel cover for the spare, the emblems and some other small stuff. I'm still thinking about it. I'm sure if I showed him 2000.00 cash He would prob consider.

The old cars price guide I mentioned above list a basket case #6 at 1120, next would be a #5 @3350, #4 @ 5600, #3 @ 12600, #2 @ 19600, and #1 @ 26000.

Now this is last years GUIDE.....just a GUIDE based on years of following values. However, many things can effect that value on inspection. If you can get it at 2 grand then maybe you should GO FOR IT.


Besides, I'm a fine one to talk. I paid 1500 for a rusted out panel that should have been scrapped. 6 years and 20 grand later I'm finally getting finished!

From the looks of the pictures and descriptions, I would fork over the $2500 before someone else snags it. Whether you are planning on making it a daily driver or a total restoration, you have a lot of going-over to do mechanically. It looks like most of the truck is original equipment or close to it, which makes fixing it easier since you don't have to undo someone else's modifications.

Where do you find this buyers guide, online?

price guide: http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars

Bill

I subscribe to Old Cars Weekly. They also print Old Cars Price Guide. I get a price guide about every 3 months. I think I got a special "offer" at 12 bucks for it. I usually subscribe about every other year to it. But I do take the Old Cars Weekly paper. It comes every week and has some good stuff in it. Plus, it list the selling price of the big auctions and things.

They have followed auctions and such for over 40 years and I have found them to be pretty much "on the money". But, as I tell everyone, its a GUIDE. Personal inspection and condition may warrant more or less.

If you are dead set on this '54 I wouldn't offer more than $1500.00. It's going to need a full frame off restoration.....$30,000 plus. if not, I'd walk away from it and look for one in better shape.

Yea I had it on the car dolly for 2000.00, I thought I can't go wrong, there is complete junk trucks going for 3000.00 on ebay so I thought this would be an ok deal. Then I went under to remove the drive shaft for transport. That's when I noticed the frame rusted straight through, and the rear, front pass leaf spring perch hanging on by one very rusty bolt. This is were the frame rotted out. The frame was already fixed once and not very good. It needed a new frame. Don't know how I missed this the first time I looked at it. We'll off the dolly it went and the 2000.00 went back in my pocket. He wanted me to take it for 1000.00 I declined, I don't need another basket case.

Well 2k isnt bad even with a busted frame after what I saw in thePierce, NE auction this past weekend. A truck similar, 1951, went for $4750. A 1954 went for 9200 bucks-way, way too much. 1K wouldn't be bad, you could find a frame that some yahoo has swapted in his hotrod build.