Talk me out of a hotrod truck

[CB750F]

Looks like were coming into hard times, next yr things might be really cheap. There's always a deal somewhere. I was going to say buy but....
It's just a toy, for 20k.

Sponsored

 

[D Fresh]

This gives me great pause.

The fact that you didn't even want to drive it means that the reality was less than the perception.

JMO but I'd pass.

Not that I didn't want to. Just didn't want to be a dick. I've sold plenty of vehicles before. Nothing worse than somebody wasting your time kicking tires.

Trying to warm this up slowly rather than my usual rocket stove experience. It's a good amount of money to spend on a toy.

Also...
Put yourself in the position of your the owner, trying to sell it....
How would you present it as being worth $20 grand, as a "toy" ? What did you put into it that takes it from a "parts truck" to something that I would "want" to own ?
All that one is, is an old pick up with a V-8, that probably any of our currant Rangers could out perform.
You want a "hot rod", than buy one, buy an older muscle car, even spend the 20 grand and dump a Coyote into your Ranger, buy a short bed mid 80's Ford pick up and dump a a Coyote into it....lots you could do with 20 grand.

I appreciate the cooler head. Perhaps it would help convince me to see what's floating around your area. Around here it's fully built show trucks for $50k or a parts bundle to start a build at $15k with not much in between.

$20k doesn't get you much in terms of square body truck nowadays though. The prices for clean builders are through the roof.

A coyote in my Ranger? For $20k? That would barely cover the hardware, and I'd have no daily driver.

Also, to very honest. I'm not looking for a project. I'm lazy, it would never get done. Something that's 99% done is closer to reality for me.

The appeal of a truck like this is it's done, it's driving, any future work can be planned for.

Looks like were coming into hard times, next yr things might be really cheap. There's always a deal somewhere. I was going to say buy but....
It's just a toy, for 20k.

This is really what's giving me the greatest pause. While I'm confident in my personal position, the overall market and economic tone feels like I shouldn't be making a move right now. If only for the fact I might do better in the near future.

Yup, I initially said to go for it, but theat was based on pics. Seeing it in person would show so much more.
Making me feel like it was thrown together to make some money.

Truck was put together well. My brother in law was actually quite surpised on the fitment and quality of the build. There were a couple of things that might need attention but overall well done. Truck didn't really give me pause. My old man brain saying "that's a lot of money for a toy for yourself" did.

The owl decal speaks volumes. It's still a cool looking truck, one which I wouldn't mind owning, just not at that price.
You could always go back, kick the tires, go for a ride, spin the tires, and make an offer that you are comfortable with. Are you looking for a show truck, daily driver etc? If you are looking for a cool looking daily driver, that looks like one. Give an offer, provide reasons why you priced that way. They most likely will say no, but now they have something to base what they will accept, and if more people give the same opinion, they may reduce to a reasonable price. Like most prices out there, people are throwing stuff at a wall, seeing if it will stick. (there is an ass for every seat)

Was a bit disappointed in the decal. Said it the truck was found in Snowmass and he never researched the emblem after seeing it was a decal.

Just looking for a cruiser. Something fun I can tool around in periodically when it's nice. Not wanting a racecar or a showcar, just something to fart around with, terrorize the neighborhood, and take the old lady to Dairy Queen in.

Think it's one of those mid-life crisis things.

 

[D Fresh]

This is typical of choices in the area.

A nice '49 Chevy for $45k...

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/aurora-1949-chevrolet-truck/7607491152.html

A Longbed C10 for $47k...

https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/longmont-1972-chevrolet-c10-chevy-truck/7605695281.html

Yard ornament for $3k...

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/commerce-city-1966-gmc-2-ton-custom-cab/7605241134.html

A bunch of parts that have sat for 30 years to make a '78 F-150 for $10k....

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/denver-1978-ford-f150-ranger-4x4/7605206141.html


This International Sedan Delivery for $25k...

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/englewood-1956-international-110-sedan/7601334201.html

 

[D Fresh]

Then there's this rough but mostly original '65 Ford for $15k.

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/santa-fe-1965-f100-possible-trade-short/7598221963.html

 

[D Fresh]

This all original '63 Mercury wagon is kind of cool at $25k...

https://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/colorado-springs-1963-mercury-colony/7598005979.html

 

[Blmpkn]

20k isn't a terrible price on that... Especially If the work was done by a business who knows what they're doing.


Assuming it's an edelbrock crate motor.. between JUST the motor, cooling system, and tires... theres half the listed price right there.


THEN.. it's wrapped in a near 80 year old body that hasn't turned to dust and who's interior isn't thrashed. It's older than most living people. It's a goddamn piece of history.. from hot-roddings infancy no less. To buy a body in that good of shape will set you back many thousands of dollars.. the fact that it's weathered up the way it is adds a premium. It only adds a premium to the right buyer.. but with as popular as the patina look is right now.. those buyers are easily found.

On top of that.. it's been put on a chassis infinitely better than the one it left the factory with. Not arguable in the least. To CORRECTLY fit that body to that chassis is multiple thousands of dollars in labor if someone were to pay for it.. or thousands of dollars in tools/equipment if someone wanted to DIY it..

Onto the chassis itself... a rolling 2wd s10 frame that doesn't need repair will fetch 1000$ by itself no problem. Then add in drop leafs & spindles, converting to rear discs.. likely blasting & repainting everything along with new bushes/bodymounts, fuel & brake lines, shocks..



20k is a deal for something that cool. It'll turn more heads than something half as old and worth 2x the price.. and that's always a nice feeling.



Buyyyyyy iiiiittttt!

 

[Grumpaw]

This all original '63 Mercury wagon is kind of cool at $25k...

https://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/colorado-springs-1963-mercury-colony/7598005979.html

It looks like your just hunting with no particular make/model/type in mind.
Instead of your Craigslist, google up some classic car/truck dealers or web sites...even Auto Trader has old/classics listings.
But I would suggest you narrow down as to what types of classic your looking for....and even tho you state you don't want a project, anything old like you have shown, will be a project, and you WILL be dumping $$$ into it.
I've been where you are and can vouch that either you will get so involved with the new toy that your other vehicles will suffer, or after the "new" wears off the toy, and you find that it's just taking up space and resources, you'll wonder why in the hell you bought it in the first place.

 

[D Fresh]

20k isn't a terrible price on that... Especially If the work was done by a business who knows what they're doing.


Assuming it's an edelbrock crate motor.. between JUST the motor, cooling system, and tires... theres half the listed price right there.


THEN.. it's wrapped in a near 80 year old body that hasn't turned to dust and who's interior isn't thrashed. It's older than most living people. It's a goddamn piece of history.. from hot-roddings infancy no less. To buy a body in that good of shape will set you back many thousands of dollars.. the fact that it's weathered up the way it is adds a premium. It only adds a premium to the right buyer.. but with as popular as the patina look is right now.. those buyers are easily found.

On top of that.. it's been put on a chassis infinitely better than the one it left the factory with. Not arguable in the least. To CORRECTLY fit that body to that chassis is multiple thousands of dollars in labor if someone were to pay for it.. or thousands of dollars in tools/equipment if someone wanted to DIY it..

Onto the chassis itself... a rolling 2wd s10 frame that doesn't need repair will fetch 1000$ by itself no problem. Then add in drop leafs & spindles, converting to rear discs.. likely blasting & repainting everything along with new bushes/bodymounts, fuel & brake lines, shocks..



20k is a deal for something that cool. It'll turn more heads than something half as old and worth 2x the price.. and that's always a nice feeling.



Buyyyyyy iiiiittttt!

Just Edelbrock dress up on a 350 pulled from a 70's model C10 w/ about 60k on it.

 

[Blmpkn]

Just Edelbrock dress up on a 350 pulled from a 70's model C10 w/ about 60k on it.

Right on, the difference in price between the crate motor and just a dress up kit is likely found in that truck somewhere though.. I'm standing my ground on this one lol.

However... that mercury good lord. Perfect amount of patina, the roof is the right length, nice wheels... lot of potential there..

 

[D Fresh]

It looks like your just hunting with no particular make/model/type in mind.
Instead of your Craigslist, google up some classic car/truck dealers or web sites...even Auto Trader has old/classics listings.
But I would suggest you narrow down as to what types of classic your looking for....and even tho you state you don't want a project, anything old like you have shown, will be a project, and you WILL be dumping $$$ into it.

The posts above were really just to illustrate the market.

What really speaks to me are the 40's and 50's trucks. More specifically Fords, but I'm an equal opportunity lover.

When I say "I don't want a project." What I mean is I don't want to buy something that's incomplete. Getting the parking brake cable installed, or upgrading a rearend/tranny/engine in the future is one thing. But I'm not looking to start a multi year project just to get it on the road.

Classic dealerships? Maybe if I had your money...

$70k

https://www.carsrememberwhen.com/inventory/1958-chevrolet-3100-/551167

$90k

https://www.carsrememberwhen.com/inventory/1965-ford-f100-/502787

Autotrader has a ton of classic trucks. Most are in the $40k-$70k range as well.

There are a few nice looking drivers around $30k. Trucks that could be built in the future. But IFS, power steering, and disc brakes are a nice thing. And the closest of those is 750 miles away.

I appreciate the thoughts, not trying to ignore your points. Just spitballing here.

 

[D Fresh]

Right on, the difference in price between the crate motor and just a dress up kit is likely found in that truck somewhere though.. I'm standing my ground on this one lol.

However... that mercury good lord. Perfect amount of patina, the roof is the right length, nice wheels... lot of potential there..

Not gonna lie. I paused for a while on that Mercury. Not something I'm looking for but sweet none the less.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

If you DO want the truck; with it sitting as long as it has, say if you've decided you'd pay $15k - a number I pulled out of my arse - you could always leave $15k on the table as an offer so long as the truck stays in current condition (miles excluded.) If the guy doesn't see any more action or get any real offers he could get desperate too.

 

[D Fresh]

Just started warming the Ranger for another trip over to test drive. I'll probably make an offer if all goes well. Wish me luck. Or don't.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Just started warming the Ranger for another trip over to test drive. I'll probably make an offer if all goes well. Wish me luck. Or don't.

Reminds me of the time my ex-wife wanted to go look at some puppies - just look. As we were getting ready to go, a friend called and asked if I wanted to head out for a mountain bike ride. I told him, “No, we’re just heading out to buy another dog.”

Fill us all in later. ?

 

[D Fresh]

Reminds me of the time my ex-wife wanted to go look at some puppies - just look. As we were getting ready to go, a friend called and asked if I wanted to head out for a mountain bike ride. I told him, “No, we’re just heading out to buy another dog.”

Fill us all in later. ?

When we were a young couple I was driving my wife to work one day when we saw a sign in a parking lot. "FREE PUPPIES"

She looked at me, and only got "should we..." before I said "sure" and dipped into the parking lot. I said "you know what this means" as she nodded.

Biskit was a good dog.


Hopefully the truck turns out good too. Made a deal tonight. Dude is compiling build info for me and we'll be meeting at the bank tomorrow.

Look for pics in the "My Ranger Parked Next To Stuff" thread soon.

Sponsored