Thoughts on this truck

[rusty76]

I've been looking seriously for a 60-66 truck. What I'd like to find is a reasonable deal on a running driving truck. Body in decent shape. Close to original as possible. Rust is ok but not seriously rusted out. 1/2 ton 2wd long bed or short and prefer a fleetside. I really don't want to spend a ton to just purchase a truck. I feel that between two and three grand is about as much as I want to pay. Less would be great but reasonable. I found this 66 on CL https://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/5888588599.html the other day. What do you guys honestly think? What should I look for and stay away from? Thanks for the input.

[Clyde65]

My experience says buy the best truck you can afford, it will be less $ in the long run.

That's a fine driver looks like, if that's all you want then go get it. If you want a REAL nice driver/show truck, hold out for better/more $

[murdoc]

That looks like a very fair price for that truck. The V8 looks original, or at least period correct. The auto conversion and power steering are additional bonuses. I love the matching dog dish hub caps too, rare and highly sought after.

[AcampoDave]

If that truck was for sale around here it would be sold already! As long as the roof is not rotting out. Roof rot which is normally noticeable on the interior above the windshield or around the exterior rain gutters changes everything.

[nail pounder]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

If that truck was for sale around here it would be sold already! As long as the roof is not rotting out. Roof rot which is normally noticeable on the interior above the windshield or around the exterior rain gutters changes everything.

What he said.

[BEK&TBKinNC]

Rusty don't know if you have seen this one, or if it is in your price range.
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/5864685473.html

[shp4man]

This truck's a driver, so drive it. Tranny shift OK? Change lanes when you hit the brakes? Engine runs strong? Noises? Giant leaks? Steering OK?
Look at all the rust repair stuff on this forum. Now check out the truck. They all have rust in the lower front fenders.
Clean title?
If it really is a driver, go for it. $2500 is a good price here in California. Offer the dude $1800 as an opener.

[jocko]

If you don't like doing or paying for bodywork, your money might go further on a nicer condition truck up front. Yes, $2500 is tempting as it's fairly original, but every panel on the passenger side is wacked at least once - if you're good with that and plan to drive it like that, then it's not a bad deal. If you are going to fix it, I'd wait - bodywork $ (or frustration) can add up very quickly. It is a nice truck, don't get me wrong, but my gut feeling is you'd be happier with a better starting point in the long run.

[rusty76]

Thanks for all the help. Keep it coming. I'm all ears.

[chtr65]

I would agree with Jocko. There is a lot of money waiting to be spent on the metal of that truck.

[TheCougarine]

As others have said, it depends on what you want and how bad the "usual rust" is. I've looked at plenty of trucks that the seller said something to that effect and it wasn't usable for anything other than a parts truck. If the rust isn't real bad then it might be a nice truck to drive as is but if you plan to restore I'd want to start with a better truck. Its not a super rare original truck by any means and GM made a whole lot of them and nice ones are still out there.

[65truckowner]

I would jump on that one for the price.

[rusty76]

I did see that one on CL. It's been on there for awhile. Thanks for the info.

[rusty76]

I'll be honest here too. I'm not looking to restore a truck. I just want to have fun. Seems stupid I know but I drive a toaster every single day and I'm bored. I've put off what I want for a very very long time. If my yard was bigger I'd have trucks stacked up like cord wood. lol.

[rusty76]

I think for sure I'm going to go check it out. Can't hurt.

[TheCougarine]

If you are just looking for a driver then I'd check out both of those trucks. I don't think thats stupid at all, my 71' was not a fully restored truck but was really too nice to use as a truck and I know the next truck I get I want to be able to get in and drive and use as a truck. Not a thing wrong with restored trucks, and theres nothing wrong if you just want to buy a truck to drive around and not worry about restoring it.

[TJ's Chevy]

Price a tad high IMOP, but a nice driver fer sure.

[Kenfuzed]

Yes try to get it for 1800, have some fun with it, then ship it here to California and you can flip it for double. I know it sounds crazy but even rusty drivers are selling here.

[rusty76]

Thanks again. If any of you NC boys or gals know of any 60-66 trucks in my price range let me know. I'd like to hopefully find a truck not terribly far from the house. Thanks again.

[DPowers]

How far you willing to travel?

[rusty76]

Don't own a trailer or anything to pull it with. I guess it all depends

[chevy2tom]

@ $2500 it would be gone in a day here in the Mid(rust)west.

[rusty76]

Truck is sold. Oh well. We will keep plugging away. All suggestions and thought will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Kenfuzed]

I think Clyde65's advice in the beginning is one of the better to go by. Buy the best you can afford.

I would take it one step further, factor in what you are willing to invest in major repairs and add that to your purchase price. You pay more up front but avoid all the headaches.

When I have looked at project cars/trucks/motorcycles I always make a mental note of what it will cost to make it an acceptable ride. Then I multiply that cost by 1.5 and if it is greater than what I think I can invest within 90 days I pass. Any longer or more expensive and I realistically know the project will sit around unfinished or unfunded for years and my wife will continually remind me of it. "Someday I will have the money and time" rarely comes for most people so you end up with a basketcase project that eventually ends up at a swapmeet or scrapyard.

[oem4me]

Words to live by: The everlasting pain of POS syndrome is far more of a worry than the temporary pain that goes with spending money.
Do your homework and know what you want, then be patient and wait for it to surface. Once it does, act fast and make it yours.
If purchasing a project vehicle, be inspired. Avoid at any cost a project that will drag you down.