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Posted by Eric B. [99.100.188.129] on Thursday, February 07, 2013 at 10:27:32 :
In Reply to: Re: If you want the PW to look lke your E-Body... posted by Cody [24.21.93.132] on Wednesday, February 06, 2013 at 00:11:02 :
I've seen trucks that look like that one sell for $3,000-$6,000 on the open market and I have heard of private sales for $1,000 or so. COnsidering it doesn't run I would place it towards the low end, but I haven't been closely following the price of whole trucks in the last couple years. Since each truck has its own problems it is hard to say based on other sales. No two trucks are exactly the same.
If the frame is truly solid (check the center carefully as the frame is doubled in the middle and tends to spread) without bends, cracks or rust holes (check the riveted together cross member in the rear, that is a common rust spot) and the axles look good you might have $500-$1,000 in value right there. At least that is what people seem to try and sell a good frame and running gear for when they swap their body onto a modern chassis.
As Marty said a good cab can be had for $500 or so. The little parts can add up, gauges, windshield frame (good ones command prices around $600-$700 and you can't tell if they are good until the glass is out of them), doors (a good pair can run $400 or more each), seat, etc. So starting with the most complete truck you can in the best shape you can find is the best move. Better to spend $2,000 more on a truck that has usable rear fenders and a complete interior then spend $1,000 buying fenders and other parts that add up to another $2,000.
Nice beds exist. Trucks that need minimal work exist. Spend a little time hunting one of those down before you drop real money on one that in the end may need way more than you think.
By the way, I disagree with the values that some people have placed as top end on these trucks. I have heard of several that brought $40,000 plus and there are shops out there that charge more than that to restore one. So people are out there that are willing to spend money on these, but they are not the typical buyer. There was one at the VPW rally a couple years ago that the owner had spent over $100,000 on at a professional shop. From what I hear they took a rusty hulk and restored it to near perfect and that is what drove a lot of the costs.
So in my mind the top end for these trucks is $100,000, but only a handful of trucks have that much spent on them. Unlike your E-body that has a pretty defined value, these old trucks are only worth whatever the guy that likes the look of your color scheme will pay and as others have said the typical price is $20,000-$40,000 for a restored truck in good shape. The wide range is based on the market at the moment and the tremendous variation in the owners definition of the word "restored".
Eric