1951 chevy 3100...Good deal or not?

[dnights]

So I have been searching for a different truck for a while and I spotted this one around the Dallas, TX area. I emailed about it and it does have a good title and the seller is wanting $2500 obo. To me it seems like a good deal but that is because I am used to seeing nothing but rusted out trucks go for that back home. Any thoughts about this would greatly help. http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2790242400.html

[Wrenchbender Ret]

It looks pretty solid in the photo. That would be about the right price for one especially if you negotiated it down some. The only thing is how bad has it been butchard with that engine swap.

[bikerman9967]

for the price, it doesnt look bad.

[Maximus]

for a complete 5-window, I would say the $2500 is worth it with a title. Rust issues are impossible to see in these photos though, but it looks like a nice project!

He also has a pontiac in it. im not unique


looking at the photos, the inner wheel wells look to be missing and the tires are wide in the fenders... this looks like a classic Firebird/trans-am subframe swap. If this is the direction you were planning on going, it could save you tons of work. AS LONG AS IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Be sure to take a long look at the frame joints if it was in-fact subframed. also looks like they used the rear end out of the same car.

also, they were probably like me and just wanted to use all the parts the firebird had, but if you dont care for the pontiac motor you can pull it out and buy some bolt-on Camaro V8 mounts for a Chevy engine that will bolt to the subframe.


If I was in texas, and looking for a AD truck, i'd probably be a jerk and go buy it out from under you hahaha

already having a subframed, axle swapped, front end installed truck would have saved me years of time at my build speed.

then again, I also get the satisfaction of doing all the work and knowing how well it was done... that would be my only concern - build quality of the modifications.

[dnights]

Originally Posted by Maximus

for a complete 5-window, I would say the $2500 is worth it with a title. Rust issues are impossible to see in these photos though, but it looks like a nice project!

He also has a pontiac in it. im not unique


looking at the photos, the inner wheel wells look to be missing and the tires are wide in the fenders... this looks like a classic Firebird/trans-am subframe swap. If this is the direction you were planning on going, it could save you tons of work. AS LONG AS IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Be sure to take a long look at the frame joints if it was in-fact subframed. also looks like they used the rear end out of the same car.

also, they were probably like me and just wanted to use all the parts the firebird had, but if you dont care for the pontiac motor you can pull it out and buy some bolt-on Camaro V8 mounts for a Chevy engine that will bolt to the subframe.


If I was in texas, and looking for a AD truck, i'd probably be a jerk and go buy it out from under you hahaha

already having a subframed, axle swapped, front end installed truck would have saved me years of time at my build speed.

then again, I also get the satisfaction of doing all the work and knowing how well it was done... that would be my only concern - build quality of the modifications.

Thanks for the info. I guess I didn't look close enough at the pics to notice the inner fender issue. I knew someone would catch something I didn't pay attention to. I will have to ask the questions about the frame since that would be something that would keep me from getting it even though I do plan on going the corvette suspension route and I do have a 3100 frame to do that with.

[Henry50]

That looks like a good buy, but its not a 51 and that's a small block Chevy engine in it.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Henry50

That looks like a good buy, but its not a 51 and that's a small block Chevy engine in it.

how can you tell its not a '51?

and there is no way a small block chevy has that wide of an intake.
its gotta be a real poncho

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Maximus

how can you tell its not a '51?

I am assuming he is looking at the glass, there is no vents in the driver's side glass. '51 came with vents I believe. Also I think I can make our an upper A arm so I believe it has to be swapped.

As for the OP, I just purchased mine from CL in MN about month ago. I would call the listing and ask for more pictures. Especially with camera phones, it much easier and a lot of people are willing to do it. It looks like the tires are either sunk in the grass or deflated. I would ask if there are any under carriages shots of the truck. Then again it is in TX so it may not have that much rust on it.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

I am assuming he is looking at the glass, there is no vents in the driver's side glass. '51 came with vents I believe.

I know what your saying, and it could be a '50, but if he sub framed the front end and swapped a motor, he could have changed doors too...
I just was making a point to the guy who came in and has only made one post that to say "Its not a 51" .... hard know from this photo. I also cant really see the cowl
it would have been more helpful for him to say "Those doors are from a 50' or earlier truck" as they also have those cool dangerous handles! haha

[Tims37chevy]

Hard to tell but it looks like it has the drivers side cowl vent so i would say 50 or earlier

[Henry50]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I know what your saying, and it could be a '50, but if he sub framed the front end and swapped a motor, he could have changed doors too...
I just was making a point to the guy who came in and has only made one post that to say "Its not a 51" .... hard know from this photo. I also cant really see the cowl
it would have been more helpful for him to say "Those doors are from a 50' or earlier truck" as they also have those cool dangerous handles! haha

It has a vent on the side of the cowl, there is no way it's a 51,

The engine looks just like a sbc and it has sbc rams horn manifolds on it.

[dnights]

Okay, I emailed the seller again to get some more information about the title. I know in some places, they would title and register the vehicle in the current year bought in and not the year it was built but I do believe it actually is a early 49. 48 and earlier didn't have emblems on the hood but the late 49 did and in the 49 the tank is moved to the cab. Also trying to find out about the subframe. Anyways I am hoping the wife will back me up on this and see if I can try and get it for $1500-$1800 range.

Also I would have never known any of this without posting here and having everyone else spot the stuff I initially overlooked.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by dnights

Also I would have never known any of this without posting here and having everyone else spot the stuff I initially overlooked.

Good luck with the negotiations! and as for the unknown facts, anything you have question on just throw the questions out there, there are hundreds of us willing and able to help ya answer any questions we can. Its a fantastic resource, because everyone has their own backgrounds, and if one person doesn't know something, likely someone else will...
Good Luck!