Cheyenne Super Clone 2X or 4X?

[CG]

First off before anyone gets their knickers in a bunch I'm talking about a clone that would not be trying to be passed off as real.

Seems like people are paying stupid prices for these trucks when well done these days (some not even well done). I think I read where titles were obviously not even close to what the end looked like, but buyers didn't seem to care.

Which truck do you think would have more resale value WAY down the road, SWB Cheyenne Super 4x4, or a SWB Cheyenne Super 2 wheel drive? No shortened frames or boxes. All real stuff, but built to Super specs.

Some of you local guys know that I have amassed (lol) a ton of trucks and parts. Some that left have came back in the horse trading process. You also know my storage situation has drastically changed. I have managed to work around that a bit (tiny bit) but I still need to move a few things. So ... Keep the short 4x4 chassis, or the short 2wheel chassis? that is the question

[Chevyland]

No telling what will be worth the most, Way down the line
Right now I would say 2x4 swb with a big block

I’m wondering if the tide will change
And, in the future, trucks that were once less desirable (collectible)
Will be the ones people are after
Like
A nice c30 flatbed that is not beat
Or
A plain Jane c10 longbed i6 w/3 ott

Edit:
It seems at auction, it hardly matters what the spid says
People, much of the time pay more for a ‘pretty’ built truck
Than an almost perfect original
I guess
It’s all in the eye of the beholder

[harpo231]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

I’m wondering if the tide will change
And, in the future, trucks that were once less desirable (collectible)
Will be the ones people are after
Like

I'm thinking in the not so distant future , due to the flood of trucks entering the market.. value of totally factory correct will go up.. However with all the clones out there you will need to be diligent in the fine details ...

[Rods]

Defently would build the 4X4 as it will bring more $ IMO. What engine and trans do you plan to put in ? A/C cab ? What look are you going for stock or ? Color combo...?

[CG]

Originally Posted by Rods

Defently would build the 4X4 as it will bring more $ IMO. What engine and trans do you plan to put in ? A/C cab ? What look are you going for stock or ? Color combo...?

I have an AC cab. I have 350 and autos. It would be stock, and color combo would probably be the bronze and white. But right now all of that isn't really a thing, I'm just trying to decide which chassis, because everything will have to be stacked on top of the one I want to keep. I have room to keep four projects end to end. No room for extra bodies or chassis.

[68350]

For what people are paying at the big car auctions, I would keep the 4wd chassis.

[Grumpy old man]

I'd have to find a way to keep them both . I have a couple that wouldn't fit in the barn that I laid roofing tin on the ground and tarped them outside to try to keep the ground moisture away and still have some air going under them , Surely there must be a place / buddy who could store it ?

[CG]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I'd have to find a way to keep them both . I have a couple that wouldn't fit in the barn that I laid roofing tin on the ground and tarped them outside to try to keep the ground moisture away and still have some air going under them , Surely there must be a place / buddy who could store it ?

I was very close to only being able to keep one project away from home and one in my shop. So I'm pretty happy I can keep four stored end to end away from home, and one at home. No place to keep any other stuff. I actually like being limited, keeps me from dragging more stuff home that I don't need

BTW Grumpy Im trying to think like you. This stuff is like money in the bank right? Im not a shorty fan, but it brings the most dough. So if I never do anything with it, it will still go up in price even as a project.

[LockDoc]

-
I can't really tell you what will bring the most $ but I can tell you what is the easiest to sell. (at least around here) Every time I build a nice looking 4 wheel drive truck I have guys beating the door down before I even get them finished. Even the guy that came to work on the dish washer left a card with his number on it...... It doesn't have to be a shorty, just a nice looking 4x4.

I have a nice Cheyenne Super cab with the original title but I don't have the frame for it. I am trying to figure out what to do with it.

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

[Chevyland]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
I can't really tell you what will bring the most $ but I can tell you what is the easiest to sell. (at least around here) Every time I build a nice looking 4 wheel drive truck I have guys beating the door down before I even get them finished. Even the guy that came to work on the dish washer left a card with his number on it...... It doesn't have to be a shorty, just a nice looking 4x4.

I have a nice Cheyenne Super cab with the original title but I don't have the frame for it. I am trying to figure out what to do with it.

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

Is that cab and title a c10 , c20, 2by or 4by. ?

[CG]

I know Im going to kick myself ... Rear LSD?

[truckster]

Originally Posted by CG

I know Im going to kick myself ... Rear LSD?

Limited Slip Differential.

I would definitely go 4x4. They sell themselves.

[special-K]

I think you would spend more toward it's end value to create a factory appearing C/10 SWB BBC A/C Cheyenne Super than a K/10.

[CG]

I have zero factory big block stuff except for a heat shield, that's not much to build on without spending a ton of dough

[leddzepp]

In the not-so-distant future older vehicles will be either crushed or in a collection. Electric cars are taking hold and will only continue to do so as time goes on. Enjoy these trucks now while you can, or if you look at them as investments sell and enjoy the money. Nothing lasts forever and these trucks won’t go up in value forever either.

If you are building one for profit, the winning formula is big block short bed Cheyenne Super. Spid doesn’t mean anything to people except in message board land. In reality people spend money on the shiniest, most rust free truck, regardless of what some sticker says.

[CG]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

In the not-so-distant future older vehicles will be either crushed or in a collection. Electric cars are taking hold and will only continue to do so as time goes on. Enjoy these trucks now while you can, or if you look at them as investments sell and enjoy the money. Nothing lasts forever and these trucks won’t go up in value forever either.

If you are building one for profit, the winning formula is big block short bed Cheyenne Super. Spid doesn’t mean anything to people except in message board land. In reality people spend money on the shiniest, most rust free truck, regardless of what some sticker says.

This does make a lot of sense too. You usually do =)

[special-K]

Originally Posted by CG

This does make a lot of sense too. You usually do =)

Actually, to add to that, the originals with the silly sticker will go back to being the highest sought after and most valuable trucks like it was before the internet blew things out of proportion with people who just had to have one with no regard to what gives value to the true and timeless collector who has always been willing to pay for rarity and authenticity.

I also see the majority of these trucks being bought by people younger than baby boomers. These trucks are not popular due to some generational interest, they are timeless classics, as it is said over and over again, with people of all ages taking interest.

The same with hot rods. It's the ones who come after the baby boomers who are making the scene what it is. The whole "car culture" thing going on now is made up of younger people and their interpretations of how it "was" back when, adapted to how it is today. It's the internet that set things off in the car hobbies across the board and that is what brought prices up, along with all the TV car shows available today promoting the old car hobby.

[supercheyenne]

I agree with Ledzepp. Just my opinion here so take it for what it's worth....

I believe this boom is led by Baby Boomers entering retirement ages. The nests are empty and they have more disposable income.

People seem to be fond of what was "new" when they were growing up. This explains the rise in popularity of the square bodies. It also explains the settling of prices for earlier 60's trucks.

Sure a super duper nice truck will hold it's value but remember that tastes change so whatever you build today might have to be updated to be considers "cool".

If you're buying to hold long term be careful. The collector car market generally follows the economic markets. But since 2014 the vintage car market has been declining while the economic markets have been booming....

Another thing to concern yourself about is inflation is rising. This means your asking prices will need to rise but interest rates will be rising too. This will eliminate some of the buyers (not everyone has the cash laying around).

As for me, I'm just a few years younger than the baby boom generation. I told my wife I'd be able to get my hotrods when all the baby boomers die off and the cars become less desired. Sure I'll only get to enjoy them for a few years before I die off myself... but I won't have to treat it like a family heirloom.

Side Note: I also purchased one truck at the peak of the bubble (2015). But it has a pedigree. So it should always be one of the desirable ones.


Edit: To answer the question:
1) Stay true to the VIN. If it's a 4wd then build a 4wd

2) Looking to invest? I'd look for 4wd trucks. Those get driven in the Snow (road salt) so they're the ones that still might rust. Most of the 2wd shortbeds are tucked away during the winter months.

[72 tigger]

I would think 4x4 would be the best choice. So, if you had a title and VIN for a swb 4x4 with a 350, how would you be able to tell if it was a true super or clone? I’m not trying to encourage anyone to build a clone and sell it as a true super, just wondering

[71blksuper4x4]

4x4, all day.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

4x4, all day.

Nothing more can I add to Trevor’s beautiful specimen!

[CG]

So far what Im hearing is if I need to store it (I do), and someday if I need to unload it, or actually do something with it, 4x4 is the way to go.

[CG]

You cant, but this was the topic of a thread or two over the years. Got more than a few people lighting their torches LOL!

[sick472]

One thing to think of since you plan on keeping this truck WAY into the future is the cost of your build and your desires. My truck is a 2wd because it saved money on the build and I have a driver 4x4 for the snow. Gas mileage will be better with the 2wd assuming that your rear gears and motor selection would remain the same for either build.

I think either will bring decent returns in the future, so it really boils down the budget for your build and what you want while you own it. The only way I would worry about the clone vs stock aspect is if it was a "survivor" with a great SPID. And then you are best not doing anything to it and finding that person who will pay big bucks for the number/dates and the fact that it is "all original and untouched". That doesn't seem to be your case so...

Do you want a 4x4 for the look, for the of road ability, and/or for the idea?

Or do you want a 2wd for the sporty look, off the line acceleration, and/or gas mileage?

Which ever way you go, you can't go wrong with these trucks. They are classics either way.