Need help! 58 vs 51??

[derek15003]

I have a 1958 Apache, shes a rough barn find. Bone stock just the way it rolled off the factory.

I am not too much into the 58-59 I love the look of the split window trucks. I found a guy who is willing to trade me for a 1951 GMC pickup. In primer, most of the metal work is complete. It has a HP 235 w/ 4 speed, Camaro rear end, disc brake conversion, powder coated with drop spindles.

So it is project for project.

My question is which one is the more valuable truck to have. 1958 apache 3100 stepside short bed with big back window ? or a 1951 GMC pickup project.

Looking for long term value Thanks!
Posted via Mobile Device

[mongocanfly]

Go with the one that would make you happy.I wouldn't be to concerned with long term value..theres value in each truck in its own way ..more than likely you'll spend more on it than you'll be able to sell it for anyway ..if your wanting the ad more than the tf by all means go with it. If you go with the gmc make sure all the body parts are there..some things are hard to find..

[derek15003]

There is just not enough info on the 58 apache that I can see. Is it a rare truck ?

[mongocanfly]

There several guys on here that are more qualified to answer that than I am..._ogre and orrieg come to mind the quickest..

[Advanced Design]

Derek, do you have pictures? How solid are the trucks? Sounds like the 51 has work done to it...is the work done correctly and will it support what you want out of the 51? What are 58's in similar condition selling for? And 51's?
Answers to those questions will help with decision making.

[derek15003]

My 58'

[IMG][/IMG]

[derek15003]

heres the 51'

[derek15003]

[58CameoAZ]

The 51 has had allot of work done to it and if the guy wants to trade straight
across and that is going to make you happy and him happy then go for it!


To me they are both nice trucks and i own a 58 & a 59 but again which one is going to make You Happy and i dont think the Value of either one matters in your situation, finish the 51 yourself and let the guy work his magic on the 58
like he has on that 51 and at the end of the day their are two really cool trucks
that everyone can admire!


Allen

[joedoh]

the 58 is probably closer to being a runner, and I like that it is a big window and a non-standard color like red. the 51 looks like a nice start but there is a lot of work to do before driving, which is probably his impetus for trading. if it were me I would stick, but I have been watching for a big window 55-59 recently too. I would kill for that nice 51 cab haha.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Go with the one that would make you happy.I wouldn't be to concerned with long term value..theres value in each truck in its own way ..more than likely you'll spend more on it than you'll be able to sell it for anyway ..if your wanting the ad more than the tf by all means go with it. If you go with the gmc make sure all the body parts are there..some things are hard to find..

To me, this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ is the best answer you've gotten.

Personally, I am into the Task Force trucks more but you've stated you are not. Do you intend to keep whichever truck you choose long term? Is it something you want to have fun with for awhile then sell for something else? If long term (be HONEST with yourself) pick the one you like best. If you're gonna get excited about something else in awhile, keep what you've got. Get it running, give it a light color sand and polish and enjoy it til you sell it.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

PS: Neither of these trucks is "more valuable" than the other. They're both commonly available.

[mr48chev]

Well if you really want an AD truck rather than your TF I'd make the trade as he has some serious money tied up in that truck. I'm surprised that he isn't wanting you to throw in at least a couple thousand on top of the 58 in the trade.

Real solid truck with the chassis looking to be pretty well done with probably 1000.00 worth of visible add on items on the outside of the engine. Finished out right from where it is right now that can be one of the nicest six cylinder AD trucks around and it looks like it deserves to be finished right rather than "just got running so it can be driven". The only fly in the ointment is that the red frame limits the final paint color choices unless you take it back apart and repaint the frame. You pretty well have to like red, black or white to finish the rest of the truck.
The only thing I can see that I don't like is the rubber fuel line all the way back to the tank. I would change that. Other than that the truck looks ready to take to the paint shop for final body prep and paint and then assembly which for most of us would be the fun part of the project.

On your 58 I'd say highly desirable to the TF guys with the short box and big back window as that is what most want when looking for one. The "rare" thing may be that if you see 50 58 Chevy pickups at a Chevy truck event only 20 of them will be big window short boxes. They were a more deluxe truck when sold new and cost a few dollars more and a lot of the people who bought trucks in those days didn't want to spend the money and a lot of guys in hot southern areas may have passed on them as they would let more sunshine hit the back of your neck running down the road.

If all you want is to have a nifty truck that runs an drives keep your truck if you truly want a really nice AD truck that you can show some and still drive and are willing to do the work and spend the money to do it right trade for the AD but expect to spend at least 10K and maybe more to get it to where it deserves to be.

[derek15003]

Thank you for your response! my overall goal is to make a nice driver/show truck. yes I absolutely agree with the red frame comment.

I think I will stick with my 58' I know all of the history behind it and I believe that I have a better truck than the 51' in the end. I love the split window trucks but the big back window/ short bed to me is a very cool truck that I just never see. It took me 6 years to acquire it off the owner's wife when the owner passed away. I think my mind is made up. Thanks everyone!

[58CameoAZ]

If you stay with the 58, then may i welcome you to the fraternal four eyed brother
hood, of loving a truck maybe its mother would only love! Lol...

Allen,
58 Cameo
59 Stepside

[mongocanfly]

I agree with joedoh..after seeing the pics the 58 looks closer to being a running drivng truck..it took you 6 years for you to get it so there's some attachment to it anyway..get it going and then find you a solid ad truck to work as a 2nd project..

[derek15003]

The apache is my 2nd project. My current is a 69' corvette I am finishing up this year

[hogfarm]

do them both.I have a 58 and a 54

[dsraven]

Stick with the one you like. If it took you 6 yrs to get it then there must be a reason to bulldog it for that long. Besides, if you raffle it off after bugging ths lady for 6 yrs you will look like a real jerk in her families eyes