47-55 newbie looking for help!! Please

[Old School Kid]

Hey'all. I been hanging around the 60-66 side of the forum for the past year or so. I have a 1965 truck that I have been playing with and now its time to add another one to the fleet.

Had a few questions and was wondering if I could get some help. I found this truck and the owner said that it was for sale and hoping you all could help me to come up with fair value and a guess of the exact year. I'm thinking 50.
The owners employee said that they drive it once a month, brakes work and it runs "like a top" New clutch in the last few years... The battery was dead and they are charging it for a test ride in the next few days...

Looking for a little help on the value? Year? and any hint of what to look for. ( all the panels ,rockers, cab corners look to be in good shape) Is it a 3100?

Looking for something to slowly fix and drive and enjoy.... Just love the body style.

Looking for honest feedback, he threw out a price, but wanted to see what you all thought.... Thanks again. (I'll let you know what he thought was fair in a little bit) I really like it so I am willing to pay a little bit but don't want to be taken advantage of....

[dwcsr]

If it has a title in his name it could be as high as 2500. I'd start at 15-1800. The truck is a 51 or 52, newer had push button door handles and had vent windows, older had no vent window and had turn down door handles.

[Old School Kid]

He is asking 3k, I was thinking it s a bit high. Thanks for the input.. Anything on these trucks that I should look for...

Is this what came stock 235? 3 speed?

[50adrod]

does it have a clear title ready to transfer?? that alone is worth 800 to 1000 at least in our state that requires a title. if the body is basicly rust free that saves a bunch of futre expense. counter at 2100 and see what he says. the truck looks good in the pics, but pics can hide lots.

[Old School Kid]

I will find out about the title, GA you don't need one, but I would rather have one.. He said that he has owned it for over 30 years and was going to try and find it (sounded liek he had it)... Thanks for the input..

[nickp51chevy]

It is for sure a 1951. It looks like it has the turn style handles, 51 was the ONLY year with those handles and vent windows.

As for the price I think that 2000 to 2500 is a fair price. I payed 25 for mine running, but it also depends on what the value is in GA.

It looks like the truck is in great condition.

[Atomsplitter]

Watch out for the floors near the kick panel, the rockers, lower hinges, door bottoms, cab corners, bottom of the window frame. Basically anywhere that dirt and water get trapped, like from the window frame down. The truck does look pretty untouched and solid but I'd like to see a few pictures from the back of the cab and some of the interior before putting a price on it.

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by Atomsplitter

I'd like to see a few pictures from the back of the cab and some of the interior before putting a price on it.

That is a good point.

[B17CRX]

Maybe its just the picture angle but it looks like the cab and running board on the driver's side just under the door is swiss cheese. 3k seems a bit high, 2k seems more realistic at least up here in WA, I have no idea what the market is like in GA. I'd run a quick price comparision by running the average price for 47-55st in craigs list and your local papers.

-Joel

[Old School Kid]

Thanks for all the info.. When I first saw the truck I thought that running board was cheese also, just the bad paint job...Thanks again here are a few pmore pix.... I have check around and I'm in Atlanta ( prices seem to be running a little higher.... life in the big city!)

What is a good source for trucks of this year, emblems and etc.?

235?

[Kid]

it appears to be in very good shape, that alone is worth something. Is alot better shape than what I had to start with. 51 is a good year, better not let it slip away

[robin58]

Doesn't look like a bad deal at all. I would just check around the windshield. In particular where the rust shows on the outside on the top driver's side, check on the interior to make sure it hasn't started to come through. I can tell you from experience that's a tough area to work to fix. Also check inside the popup vent in front of the windshield to see how much damage is inside there. The drain clogs easily and water will find a way to do damage somewhere.

[NONHOG]

Lots of good info here, you may also want to try http://www.stovebolt.com/
Tons of info and links, not as easy to get around as this site but worth the effort.

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by Old School Kid

Thanks for all the info.. When I first saw the truck I thought that running board was cheese also, just the bad paint job.

What is a good source for trucks of this year, emblems and etc.?

235?

LMC truck will have a lot of what you need. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/t.aspx

Truck looks a lot more solid in the new pics.

-Joel

[stevehsd]

Runners have been loved, at one time or another.
Trucks that have been sitting with no motor or tranny are $1500-$2000
Rust can be fixed, but rot is a PITA.
Mine is a 1951, the vents are my form of A/C and it has the refrigerator door handles!
I'd pay $ for a runner if your going drive/restore.
If you want a showcar buy one (economically speaking)
Buying a CHEAPER one would be foolish.
just my $0.02

[Old School Kid]

Thanks for all the info.. The owner is out of town for a few days and I snuck over to the truck for another look and an interior shot... I think that if he can truely fire it up and drive it around like he said it would,Im going to pull the plug..

Had a question about the 6 volt system.. Pors and cons ??? What does it take to convert to 12 volt? I was also told by someone that it might be ok to run a 8 volt battery? True? will It help?

Looking to create a running reliable driver...

[sweet70beast]

Original engine is a 216 dipper POS. That one has probably been out at one time because it's orange, original color is blue\grayish color. It could still be the 216 or the early 235 but regardless of what it is it's still a dipper motor. Dipper motors were way out dated when they stopped using them in 54. They will last a while if taken care of but unless your going for a numbers matching resto I'd lose it. You can tell a dipper motor by the bolts sticking up through the valve cover, newer full pressure 235s physically look the same except the valve cover bolts go around the outside edge like the V8s.
It looks to be in really good shape, from the pics it looks like mostly surface rust. If they have the title and it is running and driving I'd start at $2000 and try to meet somewhere in the middle.

[K.C.'s85]

I agree with 70beast except that there is no such thing as a "numbers matching" resto with a stovebolt truck,because there is no numbers on the engine or frame(when there was any) or cab that match they're all different numbers!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Old School Kid

I was also told by someone that it might be ok to run a 8 volt battery? True? will It help?

Yes 8 volt will help a lot. That's kinda old school, but it works. BUT.... the last time I tried to find a 8v battery for a old farm tractor I was told that nobody makes them anymore. I didn't do a lot of checking to verify that, so maybe with enough searching you can find one.
As for parts vendors, try here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php
scroll down to about the middle of the page and you'll find the vendors who support this board. Please consider checking with them first. I've gotten parts from GMC Paul and his prices are fair.

[Alan's Classic]

I don't think you will find another one in that shape for that price around here. You've seen my 55. I didn't pay 3000 for mine, but it's not in near the shape as that one looks to be in. Good luck.

[Old School Kid]

That everyone for your input...

I drove her home today. WOW! It drives like a dream! I would have paid 5K for it.

Time to sit in a lawn chair and stare at it!

PLAN: keep it just the way it is all the way down to the pile of mouse poo on the radiator...... Drive it every where I can.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Old School Kid

That everyone for your input...

I drove her home today. WOW! It drives like a dream! I would have paid 5K for it.

Time to sit in a lawn chair and stare at it!

PLAN: keep it just the way it is all the way down to the pile of mouse poo on the radiator...... Drive it every where I can.

Can't wait to see it. Congrats

[c10addict]

I think you got a great deal!!! Up around here in the rust belt you could sell it for 5000.00 no problem...