I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

I just bought a 1985 Silverado c30 dually 2dr at the police impound auction in Waco, Tx. I did not see it in person, but I saw a picture from the right and left front. It has a normal stance so I figure it has an engine, but not sure what kind. The tires on the front and rear are M+S grip so I figured it is 4x4. I only gave $600 for it and it, I really just bought it for the frame and running gear. I have a very nice 1986 Silverado complete cab and front clip sitting in the shop right now that is very clean (no dings or rust) that I need a frame and running gear for.

The good thing about these auctions is they are usually impounded while the person is driving the vehicle.

This will eventually be a 12V cummins flatbed to pull my car trailer and pick up lumber with, but if the engine runs I may use it a while as is till I get all the parts to my 12V gathered up.

Pics to follow when I pick it up on Thursday.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

I also have bought a car from the impound in Waco, it was a royal pain in the a**....something I would never do again.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Would this be it?
Looks 2wd and says it was abandoned vehicle.
Not to put a damper on any enthusiasm of course.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

C30 means 2wd...not 4wd. Hope the purchase works out for you.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Or it was sitting next to a house when it burned ... sure almost looks charred in places.

And I agree, most impounds are from what they call "InOps" being illegally parked and the LEO or code enforcement officer has them impounded.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

for what the OP paid, he could scrap it and break even.. I don't think it was a bad deal if he doesn't mind working on it.... Last auction I bought an old municipal van and the thing had a bad motor cost me a lot of money to get it right but other times I have scored on buying a good runner.. its the nature of the beast

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Yea like I said...I bought it for the frame and running gear. I have all the body from a rust free restored 1986 that I bought at auction a few months ago. If it has an engine/trans that is just extra ....if not then that is ok too.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

According to the VIN it came with a 454....so we will see if it is still nestled between the fenders.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Got it home today and it has a 454 with Edlbrock carb and some flat black air cleaner and valve cover kit. It has the T400 trans and a Dana 60 rear end. A few other good to have parts that it has are dual gas tanks, tilt steering wheel, custom built headache rack with a sunset picture welded into it. The truck has current tags and inspection sticker on it and was seized in a road side drug bust. The battery is dead, but it has some shoddy wire work under the hood where a stereo was hooked up and the starter cable looked bad so I will fix it enough to see if I can get it started. No water in the oil and no oil in the water...which is always a good sign!!!!

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

i like pics

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

That's a Dana 70, not a 60. Nice score though!!

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Beats blowing $600 in Vegas! I think you scored!

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Great score! I'd be inclined to remove the headache rack if you plan on driving it as is for a while in the event somebody unsavorable recognizes it given the circumstances of it ending up at auction.
It gets old fast when you get mistaken for a known drug dealer and have all sorts of characters coming to you when your sitting in your car in a parking lot minding your own buisness.

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

So keep up with all your paperwork. If the dmv does an inspection and the frame, cab and titles don't match you've got trouble in some states. I hear Tx is tough on that or maybe just some counties closer to the border. ;)

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

Sounds like you scored. Im probably going to ruffle a few feathers saying this but I think I would prime the truck real quick and id invest like $40 and get a new ignition switch cylinder and door locks.. Im guessing the guy had a small amount of drugs in it when he was pulled over and lost the truck. I would also get out a flashlight and heavy gloves and go over the interior of the truck very well to make sure there are no hidden surprises tucked up in the cab like more drugs, weapons or worse yet needles.. I have a buddy who died a few years back who was a sanitation worker who ended up with hepatitis after being stuck with a needle that was in an area he was cleaning up..
how about a good pic of the headache rack

Re: I bought a 1985 C30 dually at the police auction
 

I tore the inside apart and inspected the inside and outside with a fine tooth comb looking for a roll of $100's or a bag of little rocks or white powder.... nothing anywhere. I did find 3 hide a keys on the frame and back of cab...but no keys in them. I have a gallon of John Deere blitz black ready to roll on as soon as I decide what I am going to do with the truck.

I did get it running... that 454 sounds pretty good and the trans seems to shift good. I had to make a new neg and pos battery cable to replace the peice to gether crap that was on the truck. Brakes are a little soft but it could just be I am not use to this truck yet.