What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

So I'm about to open the wallet on my 70 truck. As posted elsewhere, it's a rare bird: 70 CST 400 115", Fleet, Wood. I SEE ad's out there, but very few for show quality trucks, some over 25K. Most of these are resto-mods, some are original. While I intend to keep the truck for several years (may never sell it), I wonder what BB trucks brought back to day-1 are going for. Do any of you know what documented, very original, show conditin trucks like these actually SELL for?

Any known sales of high end, original trucks would be helpful.

Thanks.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

It will sell for whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

Amazing insight! Thanks. :)

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

you can see what some different style trucks have sold for in
www.barret-jackson.com you can look under auction results. I seen some go for mid 30k in original style and i have seen some pro-touring sell for 75k as already mentioned it is worth what someone is willing to pay.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

i'm glad you brought this up 7dguy, as I was thinking about maybe flipping a truck after I finish mine. I looked on ebay and there are few really nice trucks there to compare with.

I see a lot of people building really nice trucks, but not selling them.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

vague question. The answer in post 2 is also very true, however there is a little more to it. A restored vehicle's only value is in the correctness and how rare it is. The more rare the more valuable. A custom truck's value ( and I am speaking of a Fesler Built type of custom) the value is in the parts and a quality of craftsmanship put into the vehicle, and that is when the vehicle just becomes a base to work from and the demand for a vehicle of that type is based on whether it appeals to the masses which creates a demand for such a vehicle.

If your building it as investment to make money, forget it, not going to happen. if you building for your pleasure and willing to drop whatever your budget allows regardless of what it will sell for, go for it, and enjoy it when your done.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

There is a lot of truth in that of course, but people do build to make money. I was comparing custom trucks to say the custom street machine / muscle car arena and it is relatively easy to build a 60-70's street machine and sell it for 25k-30k, assuming a good starter can be found that is.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I tend to look at them with the concept of "can I buy it for less than I could build it for?"

Quite often a world beating show quality truck is for sale simply because it has had it's year and won just about all the trophies it is going to win, at least in it's home area. Usually at a price well below what one of us could build an equal truck for.

If it's a "restored" truck I'd want to know a few things before forking over any money though.
How old is the restoration?
Who did the restoration?
How accurate is the restoration?
Numbers matching rig?
All the proper pieces that go on the truck there including correct manifolds and carburetor and air cleaner?
Correct wheels and tires and hubcaps?
Those are some of the things that to me add to or make a "restored truck" worth the extra money.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

i have found out its always cheaper to buy a fully restored vehicle.because a quality restoration usually coast much more than the vehicle could ever sell for.thats why i call it a hobby, and not a investment. the only reason im restoring my 72 is i couldnt find a 72 short bed in hugger orange with its options.by doing a quality complete restoration, i'll be into my truck atleast 20% more money than it will be worth at time of completion. will there be a time that the equity will cath up to the value? maby in 5-7 yrs. but then i chose not to spend 40,000-50,000 on a brand new 2010 truck.but to build a brand new 1972 cheyenne truck. one that wont depriciate 1/2 price in 2 years. again,its a hobby that should hold its value over the many years to come. just my 2cents

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

The answer hasn't changed since the last time you asked a year ago. :lol:

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I bet you're wrong about that. It's SOFT out there, more so than a year ago. I'm hoping to be in it for no more than 5K more than it's worth, we'll see. I hope I never find out where the market is on it...meaning I hope I can enjoy it until the kids fight over it.

FYI...It is all documented and all numbers matching. Will go to Barret to see results, but Mecum was dismal. One for 16K was about the best I found there.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

They are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them...that never changes.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

Don't build cars or trucks with the intention of making money on them, unless you are building them for someone else and charging by the hour. The dollar figures that vehicles sell on such venues as Barrett Jackson are not really relevant, they are either way over inflated due to the fact someone with way to much money wants it, or way under the cost to build it. Build you car or truck the way you want it in the price range that you can afford to build it.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

To build a quality "correct" original type restoration, you are going to have to locate alot of NOS parts- stuff that is getting much harder to find, and we all know harder to find means higher cost or finding an acceptable substitute. I restored my 71 super 8 years ago and the truck is approx. 95% NOS parts. I was able to do it then because I worked at a dealership that allowed me to exchange my pay check for NOS parts at a discount :) With that said, I am currently restoring 72 and it has cost more and has fewer NOS parts than I would have liked, but could not do it due to economy and availability. If you want to build your truck I say go for it, but do not expect to get rich because you will either pay someone to do the work or do it yourself. If it is your first time you will cut corners (reuse old wiring harnesses or buy new- simple choice for me, too much invested not to buy new- but lots of people dont replace yet say they are complete restorations) or spend more having to redo something. Also plan to live with someone elses schedule, paint took a little over 3 years at the shop that did my
71's paint. Currently the 72 is getting close to year 2 and is almost completed. In my experience and need for the best, I would buy a part, find a better one and then have twice the money invested ( did it several times during the first build), and there were several redos as well. The last big factor is how far are you willing to go? Are you willing to do as Paul Duncan is doing an not only search out NOS parts but correct date coded NOS parts - he was searching not long ago for the correct date coded mirrors, or are you like myself willing to settle for incorrect date codes, but NOS parts? I know for a fact that Paul passed several super nice pieces simply because he wants perfection and he will have it. Things like that also affect cash out lay and return opprotunitys. Regardless, as scott said it has to be the right color, the right price, right parts and the right behind for the seat to get top dollar no matter what you do. Good luck in what ever you decide.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

wow. couldnt have said it better... just nos wiring is close to 1200.00 alone for mine! and very lucky to just find those!

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

After you have restored one, you'll truly appreciate the craftsmanship and effort that goes into these. If someone does make money on these, it's probably because they don't put a price on their time invested.

A huge pitfall for me, is that once they're done, you won't want to use them because you know the time/expense/effort involved to get them to first class shape.

Every hobby has some kind of expense. I piss away more money than I care to think about on NBA tickets. Vacations are great ways to make money disappear. So in comparison to those things, it's not so bad.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

Where, by chance, did you find the wiring?

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

$75,000 for this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...fCarsQ5fTrucks

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

You mention show quality and restored, but you don't discuss your ability to make it that way. It takes a very skilled individual to truly restore a vehicle properly. That means knowing the process that is used to correctly finish metal parts and apply it where it should be.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

basic economics: price is dictated by the market, not the seller.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

from this site.. last one he had...

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I am in agreement with this answer first and foremost.. If the economy is good and lots of work ,,then our trucks will sell for more ,,right now is the time to buy ,,sell later when the economy comes back ..but be ready to keep your truck on the shelf until it does because right now it doesnt look good..

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

Very true. It seems to be a buyer's market on everything right now, except parts. :lol:

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

My son and his wife restored her grandpa's truck after he passed away. It has won a few local shows, but is not a true restoration.

Here is the problem, they made it so nice my daughter-in-law rarely ever drives it because she is afraid it will get damaged. What a shame.

A couple of years ago it was real hard to find a 67-72 in running condition for sale, now it seems they are always appearing on the local Cragslist. The prices are way down in this part of the country.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I think I meet the "very skilled individual" a couple of days ago. I will post pics of his work in the next day or two.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

$20-30K. I think you see many more highly optioned, original vehicles selling to collectors in this range than customized.

I did see a very original, but tastefully modded '72 swb at a show recently that the owner was asking 29.5K for and I would have paid it in a heartbeat.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

No way in hell I would give $75k for this truck but that's just me.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I don't have my resume handy but I'm skilled enough to know the difference between bringing something back to original, day-1 condition and just making something pretty. I appreciate authenticity more than most. I like rare finds and unusual options. The market is littered with really nice trucks void of documentation and born-with authenticity. My question was an attempt to determine what original reso's are actually selling for as it seems there are damn few of them out there. And while I appreciate originality, weighing my energy vs. outcome on a financial level seems a responsible excercise at this point. Again, there's an incredible time and cost difference, depending on which way I go. Auction results are a poor metric of comparison for several reasons so I was hoping for examples.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

How so?

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

Hmmm off the top of my head...

Buyers pay a 10% premium, as do sellers. Buyers and Sellers have to factor transportation costs into their numbers. Many times there isn't a full opportunity to investigate the history of the car being auctioned. Geopgraphy plays a big part. For examplem, Monterey, California will undoubtedly draw different bidders (and sellers) than St. Charles, Illinois. There's a great deal of emotion that goes into the bidding process itself and the "mood" changes many times throughout an event. In many cases, contingent the sales are negotiated in the tent outside before the car rolls across the block or shortly thereafter. Lots of stories of straw bidders and there are LOTS of phone numbers exchanged before and after a car is sold. From a buyers standpoint there is generally limited inventory relative to exactly what they are looking for at any particular event, so they might be more inclined to act impulsively. While I like to see what cars sell for at auctions, I'm never entirely trusting of the values. But that's just me.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I disagree. Auctions are text-book examples of the market determining the price and not the seller.

Everything listed is a variable that is known "up front" by both the bidder and seller even before the bidding process starts (included costs, locations, shill bidding to drive up selling price, etc). It is very carefully calculated into the selling price by both parties during this process therefore it is a VERY big part of the value of a given vehicle.

A seller can claim whatever he wishes as far as a reserve price goes, but the moment a vehicle reaches its maximum bid level then it has exhibited it's maximum worth/value on that particular day.

And that price is determined by the buyer, not the seller.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I tried to attach the link from the expired Ebay page but couldn't and whether you agree or not Stacy Davids Copperhead 67 was probably as good a restored/resto/mod truck as you could find and I'm sure it brought a few more bucks cause it was Staceys' and built by him and it sold for 67,300 on Ebay.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I’m not suggesting that I find auction results irrelevant I love auctions…I’m watching a Mecum live feed as I write this. But when both sides pay at an auction, the buyer is willing to pay more than the sale price and the seller is willing to accept less. I can’t imagine ever buying a collectible car without having met the seller. If you have ever tried getting complete information on a car being auctioned, it’s not easy. You’re very lucky, if you meet the actual owner in the tent before it sells. All this before considering geography, ego or emotion. So I think buyers and sellers are both handicapped in an auction environment. Again, just my opinion.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I'm not asking for your resume, just asking in general. I feel that most builders that have the knowledge to restore on correctly, also have an insight of what the market will bear.

I tend to agree with Shanes perspective on the auctions. Buyers with the means to pay a premium price are prone to purchase from those sources. Where else can you go to find that many quality vehicles in one spot?


I will bow out of the conversation as I see it is headed toward the typical debate of restored vs custom, and diminished return on investment. I will say that I will never agree that a truck that has been accurately restored to "original" will ever bring the profit that a "mildly modified" and updated restoration will net.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I agree. If it were a muscle car, the game totally changes. The trucks just don't seem to have the demand the muscle cars have as far as OE restored and original survivor numbers matching high price sales bring.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

From what I have gathered, very well said. And my guess is the scarcity of a '70 Big Block, 115" CST will not attract much of a premium either. Considering my bias toward originality and the condition of the truck, it seems almost wrong not taking it all the way back to day 1. But the economics suggest that NOT going nuts on every nut and bolt would be more prudent.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I promised to bow it, but allow me to offer an example of my theory. There is an older gentleman that is a retired GM Engineer that brings a truck to the FT Worth Goodguys every year. He builds them himself and has the paint work done by someone else.

He usually builds a very clean SWB 67 or 68 that is pretty original but not at all "restored" to original. He converts them to 5 lug with power disc brake, adds a/c, power steering, etc. Quit often they have a later model motor as well. Essentially he builds them with the updates and mods that "most" of us do ourselves. He sells every one that he builds and has a waiting list for the next one...:)

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

In my opinion, the value can be what the market will bear...or what someone will lay on the table to purchase it...or, it could be what your insurance will give you if it is totaled. If you have a ton'o'money in it, and you don't have it insured for what it would cost to replace it....then it's only going to be worth what your insurance company will give you for your loss.

In my opinion...THAT is what is worth. If you want it covered for what you believe it to be worth, you gotta start with an appraiser who is recognized as a "knowledgeable person".

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

I'm looking at another truck and spoke at lenght with an appraiser today who cited one sale of 28K and another of 22K within the last 12 months, being the highest two confirmed transactions HE is aware of. He claims a median sale of 11K and an average of ust over 6K. Thought it might be relavent given the nature of this thread. He also noted that the market continues to decline rapidly. Met another guy who has better luck selling to Europeans.

Re: What are show quality trucks REALLY worth?
 

Do you think there is anyone out there that looks at that truck and says " oh my god, that is exactly what I've been looking for!!!!"