What makes the true value of a truck

[b.eddy's72]

As I go through several post, CL adds, eBay, and several other classifids I have to ask "What makes the true value of the truck". I see trucks anywhere from $600 to $80,000. Just because I ask $30,000 for a truck doesnt make it worth it. When I was in search of my last truck (67 3/4 ton) I was suprised at some of the junk I found that in my opinion people wanted a fortune for. Called and talk to 2 different people who said "cant find these trucks anymore"......both wanted about $3000 more than I was willing to spend and one was $2800 more than what I got mine for and wasnt even in half as good of shape as what I got. Oh and both still have there trucks for sale. People want Barrett Jackson price for a worn out truck that needs everthing from major body work + interior work and a motor or tranny or both. There are people out there who have great skills and do killer work but just because they touch my truck does that add $15,000 to the value? I may be missing something here but I think some people really dont want to sell their truck and thats why they want so much for it. The supply and demand doesnt come into play here either cause there are plenty of our trucks still out there, hell there crushing them at wrecking yards all the time. That is my rant for the day. Good day Ladies and Gentlemen

[biohazardbill]

The true value is a compromise of what people want and what people are willing to pay. Just like baseball cards or any other collectible.

[b.eddy's72]

I see your point and that might be my problem................Im not willing to pay what most people want. Owning 13 vehicles (wife calls me Fred Sanford) and I got them all at what I wanted to buy them for. Bought her Charger new and gave $18,000 for a $25,000 sticker. But I guess if somebody is willing to pay it that by all means.

My friend bought his Ar-15 used for $1500 the week after the all the prices were gouged. I payed $900 for mine brand new with hard case, 2 mags, and sling 2 weeks before. So I do see your point.

[70CHEVYBB]

No matter what it is, It is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Also it is not worth anything unless you sell it.

[b.eddy's72]

Good answer

[CC69Rat]

There's a butt for every seat.

[TBONE1964]

Yes, thank you Barrett-Jackson. It is fun to watch millionaires bid against each other and pay out of the world prices for something they most likely will never drive. Most likely be back to see if they can sell it for more the next year. 1970 Chevelle SS 396 for 100,000.00? are you kidding? Yes it is getting harder to find these old trucks and cars that have good solid sheet metal but that does not make them worth that much.

I agree, it is worth what you are willing to pay. I got my 72 Cheyenne for a 1999 Subaru that I paid $3,500 for. Even trade and it still makes me laugh. I believe that in this market, I could realistically get $6,000 for my truck.

[JOJABOY]

I know there is someone out there that is going to bring up the literal definition of the word restored. LOL Like mentioned above, they are like baseball cards. Rarity, restoration etc...I don't own a museum nor am I living the lifestyles of the rich and famous. No MTV cribs here with a Bentley and "RESTORED" C-10. I love my truck. I love to drive my truck. I would never what it restored. Just reliable and in good condition for me to drive and love.

So that being said. Here where I live people want more than they are worth. Ha-Ha-

[leddzepp]

A lot of people try to sell a truck based on potential and not actual condition. When you see the same truck on Craigslist for months on end, it obviously is not worth what they are asking.
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[northerngmc]

[jocko]

Originally Posted by northerngmc

Keep talkin all crazy smart like that and your membership will be revoked...

But that pretty much sums it all up in a nutshell. Kinda like "no matter where you go, there you are"

[noco-k5]

I think auction value is a pretty good gauge. I'm not talking about Barrett Jackson more along the lines of a local collector car auction. I've sold a car that way and was happy with it. Got a little less than I was asking but it was a fair price and was what the market said it was worth that day. I can't stand dealing with Craigslist tire kickers myself. Haven't tried EBay but have heard mixed things.

[JOJABOY]

I paid $2300 for mine. Got about $600 in it. It cleaned up real nice. I see worse shape trucks for sale around here for $4500-$6000
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[leddzepp]

One of the things that happens a lot: "I see these trucks going for xxx all day long". Um, no you see them PRICED at xxx all day long. And if you see them "all day long" like that its because they AIN'T selling. The ones that do sell don't last long.
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[buckskins4ever]

Like has been said already: Its only what someone is willing to pay for it. Now with that being said, If you own a restored original, muscle/street, or hotrod modded model in our trucks, you best bet is to go have it Officially Appraised by a Reputable Dealer. Once I got mine finished, I had to have mine Appraised due to repair/replace cost being WAY over standard cost of our trucks. My insurer wanted an official estimate of replacement cost if totaled.....which in my case was $32,500. This is what they expected to get for it at a classics/muscle/street/hotrod auction.
The best I can advise for any buyer is figure what your gonna have to invest in a truck before buying. Then see if you can re-coupe that amount or at least live with it when done.

[Mint68]

I see very few trucks priced to what I think they shoud be priced at. To each their own I guess, but I would value condition over rarity anyday.

[lowrollin70gmc]

Many people think that just because it's old it's worth more. Wrong, the condition determines value not the age. Even up in the rust belt these aren't rare trucks. Rust free ones are rare and bring a premium but you can be sure I'm diving under that truck and inspecting every square inch if you claim it to be rust free. But I also "imported" three nearly rust free from SoCal when I left active duty.

I bought my dad's 70 Elky in Cali for 4000 with new engine/trans, digital gauges, solid body, etc. The previous week I had offered 3500 to a guy with one in half as decent of shape and he stuck to 5000. Now I see rusted ones up here asking 5000, that's crazy!

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

There's a butt for every seat.

Exactly what we say in the car business.......

[Davemotohead]

2 words "BIG BLOCK!"

[b.eddy's72]

Well things to consider also I think is that just because you spend $50,000 on restoring a vehicle does not mean the market value is going to be the amount of money you have in it. There are guys on this very forum that could do $8-10,000 in labor on your truck and do the same quality of work as Jesse James or Chip Foose which would charge you 50-60,000. My dad owned a car lot for many years before he passed away and I saw the prices he gave for some nice vehicle through auctions and he would say never put more money in a vehicle then you can ever sell it for if you ever plan on selling it.

And I dont want to step on any toes with this next statement but if your gonna take a classic truck, chop up the frame, notch it, cut the bed floor out, and all the other major modifications to lay frame, even though in my opinion your truck looks good, you have just decreased the value by cutting it up. I would love for my 72 to sit lower than what it will with drop springs on the back but it will be a cold day in hell before I cut my frame. I know that when I finish my 72 I could never get what I will have in it but then again its been in the family since it came off the lot in 72 so I never plan to sell it.

I almost did not mount the goosneck plate in my 67 cause I didnt want to drill holes in the frame but had to remind myself that was the reason I sold my flatbed Dodge and bought it was to pull my trailers. I just kept thinking that once I drilled the holes the frame it would always have the holes and possibly decrease the value.

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by b.eddy's72

.. And I dont want to step on any toes with this next statement but if your gonna take a classic truck, chop up the frame, notch it, cut the bed floor out, and all the other major modifications to lay frame, even though in my opinion your truck looks good, you have just decreased the value by cutting it up...

In all fairness (and I'm not offended at all) I disagree the value has been decreased, you may have narrowed the market for potential buyers, but I don't feel as if the value has been depleted just because it will now hold it's own against late model Mustangs, Corvettes. I realize this is not what these trucks were designed, originally intended, meant to do .. call it what you want to but I strongly feel like a professionally notched and re-worked suspension puts these trucks in a different league than the stockers. I like them both, there's just a different market out there, one vs. the other. Just sayin, if I bought your stock truck the first thing I'd do is lower it. I'd lower my lawnmower if I could.

My butt, my seat, my truck, my decision. Maybe I never intend to sell mine (?) So be it. .. but I will enjoy it while my name is on the title.

[b.eddy's72]

"I'd lower my lawnmower if I could"................That just made me laugh.

I agree they look great and have considered building a frame to keep from cutting mine to get mine lower. I wasnt saying that your (or anybodys) truck isnt worth anything because the frame has been cut. There are some of the best looking trucks on this site than I seen. Hmmmmm I think this has somewhat got turned for the orig topic to lowering trucks.haaaaaaaaaaaa Oh well I started the post.

I just like hearing opinions without anybody getting butthurt. I have already pissed a few dudes off on a 4x4 comment so I try to minimize that if possible.

I agree "My butt, my seat, my truck, my decision. Maybe I never intend to sell mine (?) So be it. .. but I will enjoy it while my name is on the title". What ever blows ur skirt up. Everybody has there idea of what they want their truck to be. Im sure several on here would disagree with stuff Ive done to mine.

[CC69Rat]

No worries, Im a big boy. Didnt bother me. Just voicing my opinion.
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[Daner]

Like others have already said... These trucks are not rare.

As for high asking prices... Some people don't reallywant to sell. I see ads all the time for late 1940s grain trucks. "ran when parked 30yrs ago $1000" No. For $1000 you don't seriously want to get rid of it.

[54belair]

I think "value" is a relative term. Whats valuable to me, might not trip someone elses trigger.

To me a truck with added value is one that is somewhat stock and in good condition. I have my own ideas of what I want to do to one--and sometimes its kinda expensive to buy someone elses "custom restore" because the first thing I might have to do is "undo" whats been done.

I have seen our trucks sell for very little--and Ive seen people at Barrett-Jackson throw away a lot of money on a truck. (once again--in my opinion) Really, Im just jealous cause I cant go drop $30-40K on a truck. Im waiting for a frame draggin, lambo doored, whaletailed, electric 68-----

But, again to me Value is increased by condition of vehicle-