Posted by Gordon on October 12, 1999 at 23:57:56:
In Reply to: Re: going price posted by CHRIS on October 12, 1999 at 15:22:01:
Well, if it is a Carryall, they made 8000 of the 3/4 tons (image) and they came without a rear headlining anyway, just a cab liner. Mechanically the same as the Command car ( they share the 12 volt systems ) they appear to be slightly cheaper in the US and Europe, but they used to be more expensive here till people started importing them from the US and Norway (my WC 53 is ex-Norway)
They don't have any notable deficiencies except the fibre roof panel in the back, sometimes replaced or covered with a tin lid welded, bolted, or leaded on. Basically everyone threw away the rear seats (demountable on wing bolts) and you always have to make them from steel tube (easy enough) You do need to get usable tailgate and liftgate, battery box cover, running boards, everything else (roof seals etc) is obtainable from Vintage Power Wagons.
Cost ? neither the command nor carryall would be obtainable in the UK unrestored unless you imported them. Restored examples of each can be 10k to 15k UKP (maybe 15k to 23k USD) A mechanically complete WC 53 would have to be a couple of thousand US, even if it didn't run. restoration of floor, seats, dash is all quite straightforward, the only real specific trick is installing the fibre roof panel. Again torching to install any other power plant halves the value 8-)
Most of these comments also apply to the earlier (and slightly uglier - sorry chaps) 1/2 ton Carryall and Command.
Gordon
(smug Scottish person who bought both when prices were halfway reasonable)