Need advice on '52 Chevy project

[Alvin]

I have a trade offer where I would receive a 52 chevy/s-10 swap in progress. I will be going to look at the truck this week and was looking for advice on things I should look for, questions to ask, etc. My experience has been with the 67-72 trucks up to this point, so I'm clueless on these older trucks.

Attached are the pics I have of the '52, based on the pics what is your opinion of the value?

Thanks,
Adam

*edit*
I should add that I already have a bed that will fit it, and a spare 350/TH350 I could drop in.

[stevehsd]

How does the registration work on trucks like this?
I would want it to say 1952 Chevy Truck.
If it said 1990 Chevy S10 it would be a problem here in CA
it would need to be smogged every two years.
Good question to ask.

[Daniel U]

Does it come with a title? What about hood, bumpers, inner fenders, seat frame, etc.? Parts can add up. I have over $20k in parts(motor,TPI,stereo,chrome plating,accessories,brakes,suspension,etc.) and I had the above mentioned body parts. What is your plan for it? What's your budget? It looks like this won't be your 1st project, so you know how projects can take on a life of their own. What's it worth tends to be a difficult ? to answer. What are you trading? How much rust? Check the bottom of the doors, cab corners and floor boards. I had some where the front fenders mated to the cab also. Good luck & keep us posted!

[Alvin]

I'd be trading a 67-72 short/fleet bed and tailgate I have. I feel like I'm getting the better end of the deal, but I won't know for sure until I go and look at it. The guy said his brother recently passed away and he's switching from his '52 project to his brother's '67 project, to keep it in the family and "do it right". He said that was the reason he was willing to do the trade like this.

[55dude]

pretty tough call dude! those boxes bring pretty good money these days. does the truck have "clear paperwork?" if you do the trade my advice would be go to dmv and transfer the paperwork into your name FIRST before anything else reguardless plus make sure the paperwork matches the truck. when it comes to this subject i am the biggest a-hole in the world! those trucks are cool but check the inventory. sounds like the guy your dealing with isn't a amature if he's building trucks also. post some pic's of the box and that might help.

[PDW HOTRODS]

Looks like a good deal, but like they said, check condition
and for how much is missing. Also what rear end is in it?
With those big tires, a stock S10 rear won't last with
any power. If you need to redo what has already been
done, the value goes down.

[Hart_Rod]

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[jkaylor68gmc]

Be sure the dash plate in the drivers side door jamb i.d. numbers match the '52 title. Secondly make sure the front wheels center up in the front fenders. Be sure the bodylines fit well due to the frame swap. Check for rust.

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by jkaylor68gmc

Be sure the dash plate in the drivers side door jamb i.d. numbers match the '52 title. Secondly make sure the front wheels center up in the front fenders. Be sure the bodylines fit well due to the frame swap. Check for rust.

Not necessarily. My truck's I.D. #'s are different than the title. After some research, I found that these #'s matched the O.E. drivetrain. Some of these older vehicles didn't have VIN #'s from the factory, but they all had casting #'s, so that's what they used. I'm stamping my chassis and cab with both sets of #'s for insurance purposes.

[55dude]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Not necessarily. My truck's I.D. #'s are different than the title. After some research, I found that these #'s matched the O.E. drivetrain. Some of these older vehicles didn't have VIN #'s from the factory, but they all had casting #'s, so that's what they used. I'm stamping my chassis and cab with both sets of #'s for insurance purposes.

now that you mention it when i was having my 52' panel inspected they informed me that the numbers off the engine were used until 53' because mine didn't match because the motor had been changed. all they did was type in my engine number and i was good to go.

[michael bustamante]

as long as there is a title and the floor isnt all rusted out, I say go for it. later on if you feel it is too overwhelming, you can sell it for alot more than just the cost of the bed.

[Alvin]

He said he has a 52 Chevy title to go with it, but has yet to order and stamp a VIN plate. It comes with a hood, a pair of short running boards, and a "real good" gas tank. He said the floor will need patch panels, but since it's on an S-10 frame "normally" he would just fab his own patches. Apparently he's done the swap at least once before. I will be going to look at it on Wednesday evening, and I'll bring my camera along.

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

[rss396]

The S-10 frame install sounds good but how many completed trucks have you seen? The front track width on the S-10 is narrow. If you use a kit it seems like the trucks sit very high. Yes they can be lowered but, at an expense. The radiator and support have to be cut seriously to clear the steering box. The stock running board brackets don't even come close to working without the kit. Plus numerous other things. Yes it can be done. If they have the stock frame make sure and get it. It will give you options if the S-10 frame does not work for you.

[Alvin]

I'm not doing the trade. The cab has no floor, and nothing is bolted down, it's pretty much just "mocked up". Also, it is on a shortbed S-10 frame, so my bed would not bolt right up afterall. Oh well, thanks for the help guys.