New to Site / Is it Worth 9K?

[sstone69]

I am new to this site and had asked a question a few days ago about the data plate on a 69 CST truck that I want to buy.

Thanks for the responses that have helped me move on to trying to buy this truck.

Thought I would ask you guys if you thought this truck is worth $9,000.
Several issues with it in the 3rd and 4th pictures is shows the rust on the pillar supports.
Also, there are two oil leaks that look like they are from the valve covers and the oil pan.
Its a nice truck with a 396 three on the tree and drives really nicely. I wanted to buy this for my son so he and I can fix it up with some cosmetics and safety things (disc brakes and seat belts). Also, I want him to learn to drive a stick and that 396 is very forgiving. He really wants this truck.

This truck has been in storage and driven very little over the last 10 years.

What do you think? Is it worth 9,000?

[TheSeeker]

Let me start by saying that I think thats a sharp truck. But out here were spoiled and can find trucks like this starting around 4500, and they are rust FREE even! Id wait for someone in your area to comment but I think 9 is a little high for a truck that needs rust repairs. Other than that I hope you get it for a fair price! Good luck!

[robreil]

Dont know what to tell you on price but I know i had that truck in my youth and I loved it. Only mine was a 350 TH400. Nice truck for sure.

[68350]

Cab supports are common pieces to rust out. I would think it's worth $7k by seeing these pictures. Is the motor original? The only thing holding it back is that most people do not want a three speed manual and big block. It looks very nice though.

[sstone69]

Yes the motor is original, they have replaced the carburetor in the last 2 years.
Not sure if there is only 74k or 174k, the truck has been used very little over the last 10 years.

[red69ss]

looks nice, but I would try to get him down to the 7k-8k range. I would be concerned about the quality of the bodywork on the truck assuming that it's not original paint, which I would guess its not. someone could have packed it full of bondo and painted it ,and it's really hard to tell. look over the cab corners and rockers real good...good luck

[Hubscrub]

i would say no based on here, more like 5-6k

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I agree with everyone that said that price is "regional". I had $26k in a '72 that I sold for $12k, so I'm not a good "investor".

Point is, you need to know what the reason is to buy the truck. If you want to have a project, it looks like you have one. The outside is nice, from looking at the pics. But you are going to open it up and start screwing around with it. That's the fun. And that's the money.

Starting with $9k, my guess is that you'll ballon that up by at least half that much more before you are satisfied. And why not? If it's a project to work with your son.

After having the experience of raising three kids, I have to ask if your son is interested in the truck after considering spending his money or yours?

Personally, I think that truck is really nice. I'd be a buyer for $7k. But if the real reason you want it is for a project, I'd try to find something for around $4k that you could put your and his personal stamp on. Especially since you WILL be spending some dough after the purchase. Guaranteed.

I'm suffering right now. I bought a bunch of disconnected parts. A nice 350/350 motor and trans combo (nice because they work), clean metal floor bed, 2 cabs, complete front clip ('71) and a rolling chassis that was top notch. It cost me about $3,500. I'll probably have about $9k in it before body work and paint. But I'm rubbing every nut and bolt. I'm suffering because I don't have someone to have fun building with me. My grand son loves soccer and baseball. I think that the smag crap in California took a lot of kids out of the gearhead mode. But I love every second of the build.

My vote is to buy it if you love it. But do so after bargaining. Also, buy it with your eyes fully open. It doesn't really matter how many miles your prospective purchase it has on it. To me, that is a measure of a transportation car. And oil leaks? If you consider that a problem, maybe you really don't want a project. Seriously, you'll be chasing those. The fact that someone changed out the carb? Well, that's not even a blister on the scale of projects. Maybe it means that's one less thing you'll need/want to do.

The first two pics are of my '72. Nothing fancy. Except I built it to keep it. Found it for $500 in a trash heap in Mariposa, CA in '98. By March of '04 it was good enough to grace the pages of Classic Trucks mag. Then I sold it. The $14k over the sale price I had in it was not "lost". I considered it the price of admission to the fun-house of building a truck. Right now, I sometimes consider it the mad-house! The second two pics are the '68/'71 project I'm working on now. Waaay different budget.

In short, I'd say if you could get her for seven, and are good with putting four more in, you'll REALLY have something. On all counts.

[big_al_71]

In my part of town that's a 5,000 dollar truck qll day long.
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[cam.man67]

I'd say no more than maybe $6,000.

[N2TRUX]

If the cab support is the only real rust issue, that's not a big deal. I agree that 9k is high, but 6-7k is closer to what its worth. I want to see one this clean below 5k.

[DeputyDan]

I don't know if this helps but I picked this up in IL a few weeks back for $3800 and that includes disc brakes, A/C, Power Steering.

[special-K]

I don't think $9,000 is all that awful for an original BBC CST SWB in black on black.With a little elbow grease that truck could go for much more.3spds are fun with a 396.I had a '68 CST like that and loved it.I'd try to talk any asking price down and that truck would be a great buy closer to $7,500.But trucks in desirable configuration intact with original equipment command higher.Factory big block short Fleetsides don't come cheap in decent looking driver condition money as is.

[Gobbles]

Your great to be doing that for you son! I have to build mine >.< .

As for the price, I agree with the others, it seems high for a truck requiring work. $9000 is a lot of money and could likely get a rust free truck. I payed $2000 for mine, which looked great from a distance but it was a rust bucket and bondo job was cracking from under the nice paint, thus the low price. Plus the frame had some 40 years of rot, I would look hard at all the frame members for rot, especially since the mounts are starting to show damage.

[lolife99]

Man,... this is a tough crowd.
I think it would be hard to duplicate that truck for $9k.
Anyone priced Automotive paint and products lately?
Would anyone, with a truck in this same condition,... care to say how much they have in their truck?
Plus it's a BB CST!

[DANTIP]

I'd like to see the SPID (Label on the inside of the glovebox door), if it is a real SWB BB, I'd find a way to make a deal. If the label is gone, or if it was originally long-bed, I wouldn't be very interested.

I'm picky that way!

[clear]

If it is a numbers matching truck I would pay $8,000.00 for it.

[72gmguy]

Big block short bed trucks are the most sought after if original. 9k might seem high at first but consider that the nada value ranges in low condition starts in the 8k range and great condition is over 20k. Again this is assuming the truck is original. If it is not an original truck you should pay what you are comfortable with, in my opinion 6k would be a good deal. Oh bye the way low nada value is a mechanically sound truck needing only cosmetic or maintanance work.

[Fleet70]

I'm no expert, but I'm building a '70 CST Fleetside and NADA says it's worth 30k restored perfectly.

This truck looks like it needs MINOR work. IF it has matching numbers and everything looks good, talk him down a little, but I would buy it. Nothing wrong with a little haggle

Personally, consider selling this vehicle. Would YOU let it go for less? I wouldn't. That's how I look at things.

Break it down: Engine 2k+,interior 1k, trim 600, tires/wheels 1k+, paint/bodywork 1k+, bumpers etc,etc. At least 6k right? Add time, it's overall value, 9k sounds like a deal to me.

If you had to build it from scratch, it looks like you'd break even....or have more into it.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Fleet70

Break it down: Engine 2k+,interior 1k, trim 600, tires/wheels 1k+, paint/bodywork 1k+, bumpers etc,etc. At least 6k right? Add time, it's overall value, 9k sounds like a deal to me.

If you had to build it from scratch, it looks like you'd break even....or have more into it.

I was following your price breakdown until I got to the "paint and bodywork".
A friend of mine priced some economy grade single stage green paint the other day. $300/gallon.
Another friend just bought a gallon of clear for a BC/CC paint job. $428/gallon.

Plus if you can't do it yourself,... labor is extremely high.
I agree,.. get the best price you can.

[1972trucks]

I dont think its that high i would like to know where everybody lives that saying its a 5 or 6k truck. It might have its issues but if it is a real bb swb truck i say go for it.

[Fleet70]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I was following your price breakdown until I got to the "paint and bodywork".
A friend of mine priced some economy grade single stage green paint the other day. $300/gallon.
Another friend just bought a gallon of clear for a BC/CC paint job. $428/gallon.

Plus if you can't do it yourself,... labor is extremely high.
I agree,.. get the best price you can.

I do all of my own work, and it would cost about 1,000 in materials, so that's where I got that number Definitly more to have the work done for you.

[mr48chev]

Yuppers, we are a tough crowd but we don't like to see one of our own even if he is brand new to us throw more money at something than he/she should.
As the guys said, a factory black on black short box with a factory big block and the other trinkets is just about the most sought after and prized of these trucks. I've had a half dozen of these trucks in the past 40 years and still want a black on black shortie one of these days.
The good thing on this truck is that it doesn't look like they are expecting you to pay for a bunch of added on extras (value added items) that you may not keep. No high end wheels or tires or big sound system that you may or may not like to add to the price of the truck.

If it were me and I really wanted the truck I'd make a reasonable cash offer and see what the seller says or does.

[71swb4x4]

I son't think $9,000 is too high. Like anything it's great to get it for cheaper though. Can you post a picture of the SPID?

[gearys 5600]

Dont sound like a bad deal to me..

I would like to see some of these $ 4-5k trucks some of you guys are talking about..

I also would like to see some of these $1k paint & body work jobs, I have done my own paint and body work for 15 years, I am gonna quit and save lots of $$ having someone to do it for me.