Craigslist Story: Opinions Wanted

[j1970GMC]

So I found this truck on craigslist that sounded interesting. It's a 1962 C10 that has been "restored".

Here's the link:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2552197660.html

I looked at it today (just got back in fact), and it was an interesting experiance. We met at an auto body shop where the guy worked, and his card says that he sells used import cars (he posted the ad in the for sale by owner section so I was a bit alarmed to meet at a car shop). The guy was selling it for a friend of a friend and had a stack of receipts including a new tranny last January, but none for the freshly rebuilt 350 engine. Of course there was a story about the engine: The actual owner's friend had a 73 that he rebuild the engine in and 1000 miles later he got hit so they parted the truck out and put the engine in the 62.

The truck ran well, but when we stopped to get gas I checked the oil to see the color and it was a full quart low He insisted that it didn't burn a drop of oil, but couldn't come up with an explanation as to why it was low. He said he'd pay for a compression check, but I'm still not convinced that would ease my mind. He wants 11,000 grand for it, and I don't think I'm even going to make an offer. The paint looks ok, but it's a single stage. Brakes work well. Interior is fairly nice. Some surface rust on the undercarriage and frame but no rot.

What do you guys think? It doesn't seem like a good deal, but I don't have experience in 62's (I've been lurking quite a while on the 67-72 message board). Thanks for any thoughts...

[brap999]

Walk away from this one. The low engine oil issue is a cause for concern, since he can't explain it.

Anytime a story doesn't add up, or something 'doesnt feel right', I find its just best to pass and find another one.

[losthope]

i seen the add on crigslist before, im no expert on these trucks but suggest you go with your gut feelings,there will always be another truck if you feel like this ones not perfect for you! you could buy a pretty decent truck for 11,000, even find a nice one for 6000 and drop the other 5000 into it making it how you want. its always good to shop around and see whats out there. just my two cents.

[LostMy65]

Judge Judy says if it doesn't make sense it's most likely a lie.
Posted via Mobile Device

[j1970GMC]

Thanks guys. It just doesn't feel right. I'll keep looking.

[markeb01]

Good idea, this looks scary to me. My first thought is it’s a very nice looking truck externally, and a person could easily drop that much money bringing a truck to this level. But on evaluating the details, it looks typical of a quick turn special painted “resale red”. I’ve known people stung by this type of “restoration”.

There’s no indication if the front suspension remains torsion bar with drum brakes. A ¾ ton rear end is listed, but I’m not familiar with how this can be converted to 5 lug brakes. The interior is missing a few parts, but what seems most telling are the turn signal lever, steering wheel/horn button, emergency brake handle and the stuff under the left side of the dash. A person building a truck to keep finishes these features to the same level as the freshly painted dash. The seat hinges were not even painted before the new cover went on, and I wonder what sins might be hiding above the headliner.

There appears to be no detailing on the chassis, and the engine compartment appears to be slathered in flat black spray cans. Spraying over the proportioning valve and hard lines looks like someone was in a hurry to make everything one color so it could be listed quickly. The steering shaft cover is missing, along with grommets and plugs on most of the firewall openings. These details are out of character with the presentation of the exterior, and scream quick turn profit maker.

From the clamp on battery cable to the hand made aluminum alternator bracket, it appears no cost saving measure was missed. With so many sloppy details it makes me wonder what the sheet metal looks like under the shiny fresh paint.

[fryer1979]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Good idea, this looks scary to me. My first thought is it’s a very nice looking truck externally, and a person could easily drop that much money bringing a truck to this level. But on evaluating the details, it looks typical of a quick turn special painted “resale red”. I’ve known people stung by this type of “restoration”.

There’s no indication if the front suspension remains torsion bar with drum brakes. A ¾ ton rear end is listed, but I’m not familiar with how this can be converted to 5 lug brakes. The interior is missing a few parts, but what seems most telling are the turn signal lever, steering wheel/horn button, emergency brake handle and the stuff under the left side of the dash. A person building a truck to keep finishes these features to the same level as the freshly painted dash. The seat hinges were not even painted before the new cover went on, and I wonder what sins might be hiding above the headliner.

There appears to be no detailing on the chassis, and the engine compartment appears to be slathered in flat black spray cans. Spraying over the proportioning valve and hard lines looks like someone was in a hurry to make everything one color so it could be listed quickly. The steering shaft cover is missing, along with grommets and plugs on most of the firewall openings. These details are out of character with the presentation of the exterior, and scream quick turn profit maker.

From the clamp on battery cable to the hand made aluminum alternator bracket, it appears no cost saving measure was missed. With so many sloppy details it makes me wonder what the sheet metal looks like under the shiny fresh paint.

I agree 100%, couldn't have said it better myself. Now if it was listed at 5K....then I would say jump on it. Oh, and as far as I know, an 8 lug rear cannot be changed to a 5 lug (5 on 5, or 5 on 4 3/4)......you could always knock 3 studs out

[Slowtruk]

I have to disagree. I agreed with everyone else until I saw the truck, That thing is beautiful man. I guarantee you he has way more than 11K in that thing. Sure it may not be Fesler's 150K truck but he's only asking 11K.

IF the engine has a problem, i.e. burning, using oil, leaking oil, etc...what are we talking for a refresh? Pull it out, tear it down, check the hone patter, new bearings, I mean you could have that thing back together in a matter of weeks! Hell I have about 1500 in my 350 build right now and thats everything new except the crank and rods! And thats including all the things such as plugs, wires, cap and rotor, fuel oil and water pumps etc!

You said yourself that the trans is new with a receipt...I'll bet the rest of that truck is in great working shape.

One more thing I'd like to mention. Back in 06 I totalled my DD, so a month later I went and put $2500 down on a 2001 Chevy extended cab Z-71 4x4. 60,000 miles with the 5.3 and 4l60e. got her home, checked the trans fluid for the first time and I'll damned if the trans wasnt 2.5 quarts low!!!! I freaked out. Well, nothing I could do now! I got over it, the trans worked fine...so at first the truck was a mudder, then I got into the drag scene and lowered it, LS1 with a cam, 3800 stall converter, ran low 12's launching in 4x4. Now at 170,000 miles (110,000 past what I bought it at) this thing runs like a scalded dog still. Never had any trans problems whatsoever since I put that 2.5 quarts in. ANd I drive it HARD lol.

Hell, I bet some idiot forgot to put the last quart in that engine, stranger stuff has happened. I dont know you so I dont know how mechanically inclined you are or arent, but if everything else on that beautiful truck checked out, no way I'd let that small problem make me walk away.

Id point out the potential engine problem and maybe som things the guy above me pointed out, and off 8500-9K for it

[blackedoutharley]

Well from what I see in the add a few things stick out:

1. Its a nice looking truck to the eye (looking at pictures on a monitor).
2. It is NOT fully restored.
3. The seller (or whoever posted the CL ad) don't know what they're talking about when describing the truck beyond that its a '62.
4. '73 Chevy's didn't have a 700R4.
5. I concur that the engine compartment was "quickie spray painted".
6.If you were restoring the interior I would expect to have the bowtie sewn in the passenger door panel to face the right direction... maybe the same direction as the one on the seat?
7. I agree its a quickie turn and burn and being that you met him at a body shop I would be leery of what nightmares are hidden under the paint.

Offer him $6000, hold firm or walk but I wouldn't pay anywhere near what he is asking.

[J.Cagle]

wow. I'd stay far away. It's bad when you can look at pics on a computer and tell the paint job is total crap(inside and out). Plus, as blackedoutharley stated, the engine compartment is just a quick rattle can job. They put flat black paint over everything.

[aerotruk63]

I think next time I go to see a truck I'll bring my laptop and WiFi hook up to this site and let you guys loose on the details and advise. I think I would appreciate the critique of the truck, along with the experienced expert reply's to the sellers description of those catchy items that we may hear of, but have no experience with. A review board towards potential purchases. Now we just need someone with the experience in financing the deal.

[joedoh]

I want to be on the sellers side. I dont see the typical resale clues except the spray bombing of the engine compartment, firewall, inners, booster, brake valve even the hoses all got the same coating. The interior work is nice and you dont chrome a 62 grille without liking the truck a whole lot. The bed kit was put in after a paint job, it wasnt taped off, which takes time. the body is super straight, not surprising for sacramentos climate.

and all engines use oil, especially v8s. now a quart low without checking, thats a lot. but my 99 suburban needs a half a quart every now and again, usually depends on the outside temp. those chrome valve covers sometimes leak right onto the headers and you'll never see it. I cant check in on the "new" engine but unless he has receipts might want to assume its not new. if it doesnt smoke and runs well, thats about the checking you can do. take him up on the compression check if you are still worried.


nice truck. if its not all rotted out, probably worth the money.

[PGSigns]

Here is what I see. The person that did the body did there job well. Fit and finish look good. Truck was pulled apart to paint it. That takes time and money. Single stage or not it was done well. This is not a paint an go throw together. Interior is nice but what its lacking is who ever put the truck together did not have the attention to detail the the guy that painted it did or the guy that did the interior. You see this from time to time when they pay good folks to do work for them but they are in over there head on there end. The sound of the engine and how it drives is what is important, not the oil level. Lots of folks should not change there own oil. With that good of a base truck and a few weekends of doing the finishing touches this could be a very nice truck. On the east coast that truck is a deal and a half for that money.
Jimmy

[j1970GMC]

Thanks again everyone. I have to say that after seeing the ad I thought this would be a killer deal. The truck does look ok, but the pictures are great. Under no circumstances could this be considered a restoration (not like people here do it). After sleeping on it, I feel even more strongly that it's not a good deal.

Who looses all the receipts and paperwork for a new engine during a restoration plus has the engine a quart low? My truck burns some oil and I never let it get a full quart low...

[SulphuriousSam]

Welp, i tried the link but the craigslist post is up for removal so it might have sold anyway....

[j1970GMC]

I doubt it sold, but you never know. He had it listed twice so that might be why it got flagged....

[SulphuriousSam]

Possible' (that french ) I am a craigslist novice so you probably know more than i do about it. i just wanted to see the truck all the hooplah was about and it was gone...the post i mean.

[j1970GMC]

It hasn't been removed from the Reno craigslist:
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2520666050.html

Originally Posted by SulphuriousSam

Possible' (that french ) I am a craigslist novice so you probably know more than i do about it. i just wanted to see the truck all the hooplah was about and it was gone...the post i mean.

[fchava]

Its tough to value these trucks. I know I have a lot of money in mine, as much as a new truck, but it does everything I ask of it. I have put it on craigslist a time or two for way less then I'm into it, but get little response.
Find one that has what you want already, you will save money in the long run...and just drive it

['63GENIII]

It looks nice on the outside to me. If I were payin' 11k for, I'd think the engine comp. would be way cleaner than that.

[jimmyboi082]

His definition of restorastion is probably diffrent I've seen complete restorations that will run in the 20 to 30 thousands. The truck looks good who knows what it use to look like he might of put about 11,000 to make it look like what it dose now.

[protrash64]

Truck looks nice but Im not feeling the 11k. Too many for sale to justify that price IMO.

[glendale]

i am not feeling at all either. i see lot's of orange peel inside. resell red and crappy door gaps. you can do better!

[Rich 5150 69]

Notice the e-cable on the left rear wheel shot it goes straight up, must stop his tail gate, and the crud in his side window shot, definately a burn and churn job, probably got it real cheap, and could`nt sell it at hot aug nights....

[gearheads78]

rh door and fender look like they have a lot of mud to me.