PO's son wants it back

[88Lt1wagon]

Originally Posted by oem4me

If you sold the truck to the guy without gouging him, you would instantly qualify for gentleman status. There are no t-shirts or ribbons or prizes that go with earning that title. It is it's own reward, so to speak.
What the fellow is after is something that cannot be found anywhere but with your truck. No offense please, but if you paid $650 for it not too long ago, my guess is a replacement that was in similar or better shape could be found easily enough. When arriving at a price you should definitely compensate yourself for your investment. If the guy thinks he should get it for what you paid ...well, he's a little late.

He's way late for my original price, even if I wanted to get rid of it I'd ask more than that, I got the feeling his dad just wanted it out of his driveway, originally I was told he was asking $1500. I think market value is about $1500-2000, but it's hard to say because there aren't a lot for sale right this minute, the prices are all over the place, and most of them in similar body condition don't run or have an I6 and a flatbed.

I have learned a lot since owning this one, so I could probably do better on my next one. When I originally set out to get a pickup I was looking for a '69-72 Longhorn, but my uncle told me about his friend who was trying to get rid of an old truck. Of course he also said it wasn't rusty, which is way off. He lowered the price every time he told me about it, so eventually I had to go look at it.

When he (the son) rolled up to my house he asked if I bought the truck in Burbank (which I did) and he also knew how much I paid for it, so he's not some random guy looking for a classic fixer-uppper. There's a guy a couple blocks down with two in better shape than mine, I'd think he'd badger him first.

I don't know, this truck needs A LOT of work, it's not just rust, it's dented all over. Plus, I'd rather have a '61 hood, dual headlights, AC, all the bells and whistles, you know? If I'm just going to change everything anyway, why not start on a cleaner slate? I could fix one of my dad's trucks in the meantime, until I find what I want, or another awesome deal like this one was.

[Budman56]

For me its pretty simple, life sucks, that being said its a truck that can be bought and sold many times over, offer it to him with the knowledge that you have done work to the truck and $ dollar amount (what you deside) is what its going to take to get it back. As for the man wanting it back I can to see his side of it but as I stated up front LIFE SUCKS AND **** HAPPENS!

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 88Lt1wagon

Well, the previous owner's son found me yesterday while I was raking my yard. Apparently his dad sold his truck out from under him two years ago to me. He wants to buy it back from me. Problem is I've been using it a lot lately...I know how irritating it must be to him since my grandpa did the same thing to my dad with his '60 Apache about 30 years ago, and my dad is still bitter.

...I paid $650 originally, but it's not the same truck I bought... Do a T5, aftermarket gauges, wheels, new battery, carb rebuild, reverse lights, HEI ignition, and a few other odds and ends justify the $1300 increase?

I'm trying to find out in this thread where the truck was the OTHER guy's grandfather's?
The OP said HE understands, because HIS grandfather sold a truck out from under his dad, and his dad is still pissed.

Wheels/tires, a T-5 swap, and other things... I don't see how you think you ONLY have an additional $1350 in the truck... And I don't see how you'll be able to replace the truck for only $2K.

Tires have gone up in price in the last two years... WAY up.
Can you find another GOOD T5? That you KNOW works, and doesn't need to be rebuilt? Did you have to shorten the driveshaft? New u-joints?

If the truck has family sentimentality to him, I'd tell him $3,000 and explain why, and MAYBE maybe maybe come down to $2,750. But I don't see how you're going to replace a running, driving truck with a T-5, aftermarket wheels and other upgrades for that price. You'll have a couple hundred bucks in tires alone.

This one runs, the brakes don't need to be rebuilt, the engine seals don't need to be replaced, the rear end gaskets and seals and bearings don't need to be replaced...

If he just wants his old truck back, stand firm on your price and make CERTAIN you can get a comparable replacement for the price he's going to buy it for.

-Brad

-Brad

[88Lt1wagon]

You're right on the father/grandfather mixup, however the truck isn't in that great of shape. The tires aren't in good shape, I got them used with the wheels. The brakes aren't in great shape, the T5 grinds going into 4th, but I have a second T5 from a Camaro I'm going to be swapping in using the S10 shifter/tail from the one that's in it.

If I add up what I paid for everything I think it's about $2000, but you're right, I forgot about shortening the driveshaft and the $200 Astro clutch. I got screwed on the S10 tranny, who's to say it wouldn't happen again, guarantees aren't cheap, and this pickup runs and drives and does what I want it to.

I guess we'll see.

Originally Posted by Brad54

I'm trying to find out in this thread where the truck was the OTHER guy's grandfather's?
The OP said HE understands, because HIS grandfather sold a truck out from under his dad, and his dad is still pissed.

Wheels/tires, a T-5 swap, and other things... I don't see how you think you ONLY have an additional $1350 in the truck... And I don't see how you'll be able to replace the truck for only $2K.

Tires have gone up in price in the last two years... WAY up.
Can you find another GOOD T5? That you KNOW works, and doesn't need to be rebuilt? Did you have to shorten the driveshaft? New u-joints?

If the truck has family sentimentality to him, I'd tell him $3,000 and explain why, and MAYBE maybe maybe come down to $2,750. But I don't see how you're going to replace a running, driving truck with a T-5, aftermarket wheels and other upgrades for that price. You'll have a couple hundred bucks in tires alone.

This one runs, the brakes don't need to be rebuilt, the engine seals don't need to be replaced, the rear end gaskets and seals and bearings don't need to be replaced...

If he just wants his old truck back, stand firm on your price and make CERTAIN you can get a comparable replacement for the price he's going to buy it for.

-Brad

-Brad

[Malibob]

I would sell it for what I could replace it for. For 2 years you worked out the bugs, you wrenched and sweat and busted your hands up fixing it. Now that its squared up, you deserve to be able to replace it. If $2k can buy you a truck with as much done to yours, then fine. Personally I don't know where you can find one of these that cheap, so maybe he knows that too and wants to make the money. I say if you decide its the right thing to do, then make sure you are able to replace it with a similar quality ride. That is how I would handle it anyhow.

[61_FL_Apache]

Its a coin toss!! If you sell it, ask a fair price for your work and time. If you keep it.... well, you keep it!

Did anyone ask how old the kid was?

[awbrown]

Start right now looking for the truck you want to replace it ...When you find that truck then you contact the son and say "i want this much for it " more than likely what you have in it , and go from there .. I drove 450 miles one way to pick mine up and then by the time I was confident that it was road worthy and ran decent I had 3000 in it , no paint ,no body work just running and driving it was 3000 dollars ... I just saw one sell for 3200 that I dont feel was as good as mine .. i did upgrade to power steering and mine had power brakes when I got it .. But everything else on the truck needed tinkering before it was road worthy ... By the way , who's name was the title in ????

[jesseo]

I would do what works best for you 88. If you want another style truck and find one and this (son) is willing to pay what you want out of the current truck then GO FOR IT. If not keep what you bought and keep on as if this "kid" never came around.

[88Lt1wagon]

The title was in the father's name, legally I have no obligation to him.

Mostly I just wanted to know if $2000 is gouging a guy for a pickup that I didn't think was worth that on the market. I don't want to be someone who finds someone else's weak spot and squeezes, but at the same time I don't want to be taken for a ride. From what I'm gathering here, I underestimated the value of pickup; I know it's valuable to me, but it's hard to judge fair market value of a project vehicle.

As much as my wife gripes about having to drive it from time to time, I was surprised at how attached she's gotten to it. Maybe $3000 is a more appropriate price, it's a tool I use and love, not a burdensome relic in my way, which I believe is how his father viewed it.

Originally Posted by awbrown

Start right now looking for the truck you want to replace it ...When you find that truck then you contact the son and say "i want this much for it " more than likely what you have in it , and go from there .. I drove 450 miles one way to pick mine up and then by the time I was confident that it was road worthy and ran decent I had 3000 in it , no paint ,no body work just running and driving it was 3000 dollars ... I just saw one sell for 3200 that I dont feel was as good as mine .. i did upgrade to power steering and mine had power brakes when I got it .. But everything else on the truck needed tinkering before it was road worthy ... By the way , who's name was the title in ????

[Crabshack]

I think all comes down to value. Say you're walking down the street & spot a $20 bill laying on the ground so you pick it up. You're friend Bill is with you & offers to give you $5 for the $20 bill, reasoning that the bill you found laying on the ground didn't cost you anything so you're still coming out ahead. Would you take Bill up on his offer? I'd apply that same logic to the truck.

[71swb4x4]

I would write him a letter. Explain how the truck is part of your family and legacy now. Explain all of the work you have done. Tell him in the letter that the truck is not for sale, but that you do understand the sentimental value that he also has to it, and that if he is really serious about the truck that you will sell it for $3,000 (or whatever you decide).
Explain that you are not trying to make money off of the truck. That you have countless hours, and a lot of money into it. Also explain that you will have to replace it, it is not a truck that's in the way, it is a truck that you enjoy to use and drive.

[Turkey]

Keep it...such is life

[akaupp]

I say tell him to make you an offer you can't refuse. If he makes a decent offer (up to you), sell it to him. If he makes a lowball offer, show him to the door.

[theastronaut]

I'd sell it to him if everything about him checks out. BUT I'd wait to find another suitable replacement truck in about the same condition before you sold it to him. Around here, $2000 doesn't buy much of a truck anymore- don't sell it too cheap!

[YBNORML]

If I was in this situation and some one was trying to buy something that I didn't plan on selling. I would not sell for one penny less than what I had into it. And I wouldn't sell unless I was absolutely sure I didn't want it anymore, sellers remorse sucks.
Posted via Mobile Device

[CRGRS 66]

Looking at it from a different angle, i would personally have more self respect, and respect in general than to even think about approaching you. You are being put in an extremely unfair situation. The guy is 30, doesn't make him mature, he is not acting like he is in possession of a valid man card. This cannot be compared to WWII medals, not even close. Dad had the truck for sale, he should have bought it himself 2-1/2 himself then. This guy is wrong to try and shame you into selling it to him.

[CRGRS 66]

Sounds a little harsh, but dude should not have put you in this difficult position.

[Slow Build]

If you decide you want to sell it then do it at a price that you feel good about. If it's too much for him maybe you should sell him the trucks old parts.

[65GMC4000]

Hey 88Lt1 I have a 60 chevy apache sb step side with 6 cyl that is sitting out in the pasture with the early eyebrow hood. Wife is wanting me to get rid of a few yard ornaments. (thin out the herd) lol. I am just down the road a piece from you. (Touchet) You need to cruise over here and let me give you the tour. It might make it a little easier (or harder) for you to make a decision.

[mark 66]

I am somewhat in the position of the kid that wants to buy it back. last year my aging father was in a alf and we werent sure he had enough money to stay there. so I sold the 57 belair he gave me a few years back.found out my dad had money stashed and I really didnt need to..since then my father has passed away.I sold the car to a friend at work so asked if he would sell me the car back.he said he wanted to keep it because he looked long and hard for a decent one.I understand his position because, he was there to buy when we thought we needed to sell it and I can still see the car I just cant call it mine.

[jcramsey]

Two pages and nobodys asked for pics of your truck yet?

I wouldnt have a problem selling back to the guy, but certainly not at a loss or for less than what you could pick up a comparable truck to replace it either as has already been stated. $2000 sounds cheap to find a replacement for a running/driving truck.

And we need pics!

[clemdaddy]

sounds to me, 88lt1, like you're not all that happy with the truck anyway. not the year you really wanted, kinda rough body, rusty, tires aren't great...etc.
these trucks are still plentiful and i bet theres one out there that would be better for you. you seem to have good mechanical skills so perhaps an early 60s truck with a good body that someone has put some work into would make you happier. its out there...

i go with asking 3 grand for your truck. if the guy is sincere, he'll come up with the money. that money plus a little more from you can get you a heck of a nice truck. you'll be happier, the kid will be happy and your world will be round again.

[1963c-10]

I agree, he should have bought the truck from his dad for $650 when his dad was selling it. If his father came down on his price to $650, surely he would have worked with his son on the price of buying it....his lose, your gain.

[71swb4x4]

Some people think he shouldn't have asked, I think that's hog wash. How are we going to make it through life if we never get to ask people a question? Who's to say 88Lt1 wouldn't have said yes?
And those who have said he should have bought it right away, what if he couldn't? Haven't any of you been in a position in life when making the mortgage payment, or putting food on the table, was more important than buying your dad's old truck?

It's fine he asked the question.

I think the advice that you shop for another truck now is great advice. You can certainly tell the guy that you might sell it, but you need to find a replacement first. Just make sure you get the money from him before you buy your new truck, it would stink to have both trucks.

[88Lt1wagon]

I think you hit the nail on the head, it always brings a smile to my face to drive it, but so does my Caprice and most any vehicle. But sometimes I get to thinking how much of this truck is going to be left by the time I'm done with it, there's rust in the doors, the fenders, the rockers... it's just a good farm truck.

We didn't even swap numbers, he just said he'd come back by to talk about it. He may not even be that serious about it, maybe I'm getting worked up over nothing.

This could be a good deal, then I see something like this. It's just hard to say. I'd have to get really lucky to not have to drive a long way to get what I want, I had to go 600 miles round trip to get my wagon.

Sorry 65GMC, but longbed fleetside is the only way to go for me.

I don't know where my pictures went that I took to document the rust areas, but here's a general idea of what it looks like today. My profile picture is the day I bought it. No pictures of the passenger side even though that's the "clean" side. I think the crinkly dent in the side of the bed is what upsets me the most, actually, the rest can be brushed off as too much patina.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

sounds to me, 88lt1, like you're not all that happy with the truck anyway. not the year you really wanted, kinda rough body, rusty, tires aren't great...etc.
these trucks are still plentiful and i bet theres one out there that would be better for you. you seem to have good mechanical skills so perhaps an early 60s truck with a good body that someone has put some work into would make you happier. its out there...

i go with asking 3 grand for your truck. if the guy is sincere, he'll come up with the money. that money plus a little more from you can get you a heck of a nice truck. you'll be happier, the kid will be happy and your world will be round again.