Major Score...I'm trippin' out

[chopit]

Pretty regularly I hit craigslist hoping to run across a decent rear fender for driver side. Rest of my panels are pretty nice, but all need a little work here and there.

So today I see a post within 3 minutes of it being posted. It basically said 1950-1956 chevrolet truck project or parts and there were no pictures.
$3000 obo or may part out.

Called lady and it was her husbands project and without going into a lot of detail he is no longer around and wont be back. (I know the whole story now, just saving ya'll from the details)

...But yes there is a brand new fender there, she says.

So I arrive as quick as possible to survey the project. Out front on a trailer is a complete cab. A bit rough but serviceable. She opens garage and there is the motor and chassis all redone reasonably well with running motor, new tires, and appears all four corners have been gone through (brakes, bearings etc), open driveshaft rear end, and what I think is a Saginaw not mounted yet.

Then she takes me out back and there are all 4 brand new fenders, inner fenders, bumpers, bumper brackets, bed wood kit and polished strips, all the bed components, wiring harness, etc,....I'm talking $4000-5000 of new retail just in this pile.

So as I am talking with her and we are getting to know each other, talking about her situation, the project and my project she informs me she has decided she doesn't want to sell me just the fender or just the new parts, She is older and she is moving into an apt. and she wants it gone asap all or nothing. Her daughter is there also taking care of her and I notice they are kind of looking back and forth and silently communicating. We've been hanging out for awhile now at this point.

So I say ok what do you want for everything. She says she knows he had thousands invested but again she just wants wants it all gone and as mentioned it's $3000 or best offer.

I tell her I wasn't coming to buy another project I just came for the fender and as nice as everything is and all the new parts I only have $1500 to spend.

...really longer story short, holy crap, she said I'll take it. I got most of it hauled today, back for the rest tomorrow and I am still in disbelief.

My project is about to get a whole lot nicer and once I sort and swap, The new project is still going to be pretty nice too. Albiet it will end up as someone else's project.

Holey Kamolee, killer day.

[pugs]

seems like the parts God was with you. or you stepped in a big pile of cow dung wish I could find even a repairable pr of doors for my 56 project.

[73kay]

chopit, let me the dogs get some scraps that you don't need, lol aka anything you take off your truck let us/me know, I'm not too far away from you. And here I thought a roller for 1000 was a good deal. well done!

[OrrieG]

Great find, remember to pay it forward

[chopit]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Great find, remember to pay it forward

You got that right OrrieG. I think that's why I have a lot of success in my hunts and deals. Karma. I am a major believer in paying it forward!

[Sim6]

Only you my friend, very nice.

[chopit]

Originally Posted by 73kay

chopit, let me the dogs get some scraps that you don't need, lol aka anything you take off your truck let us/me know, I'm not too far away from you. And here I thought a roller for 1000 was a good deal. well done!

I actually thought about you when I was doing some mental inventory. But I think I am further than you think lol. 9 hrs one way.

[73kay]

True but it gives me a reason to see my bro in Memphis. You at least gotta drive 4 hrs just to get out of Texas. Haha

[chopit]

Originally Posted by 73kay

True but it gives me a reason to see my bro in Memphis. You at least gotta drive 4 hrs just to get out of Texas. Haha

I'm from Memphis.

I picked up my current project in Texas, 1 hr S of Dallas, not a bad trip...other than I turned and burned to Kansas same weekend for a flip truck...lol

P.M. me and I'll shoot ya my phone #

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by 73kay

True but it gives me a reason to see my bro in Memphis. You at least gotta drive 4 hrs just to get out of Texas. Haha

Unless you head west, then it can be 12-16. been there, done that.

[joedoh]

hope it wasnt a divorce fire sale!

play the lottery with that kind of luck floating around!

[chopit]

Originally Posted by joedoh

hope it wasnt a divorce fire sale!

play the lottery with that kind of luck floating around!

I know bro. Everytime I go looking for a part I end up dragging home the whole store.

I actually did buy a lottery ticket on the way home...it didn't win bahaha!

[Advanced Design]

Now that was a nice score! It pays to always be looking. Congrat's!

[Foot Stomper]

Nice score for sure! Hope it's not a member's stash here on the forum!

I'd feel a bit guilty... find another few 100 bucks and help the ol' girl out. She probably has no real idea what its all worth.... (that's just me thinking that we need to look after our brethren and their families ... to a degree).

At the end of the day, it pays off to be patient and timing is everything!

[chopit]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Nice score for sure! Hope it's not a member's stash here on the forum!

I'd feel a bit guilty... find another few 100 bucks and help the ol' girl out. She probably has no real idea what its all worth.... (that's just me thinking that we need to look after our brethren and their families ... to a degree).

At the end of the day, it pays off to be patient and timing is everything!

he was not a member...I asked.

She told me exactly what he had spent, which I won't disclose but it was an outrageous # with parts, paid out labor etc. (she said a chunk of it was because he got screwed by a painter and a couple others that took advantage on labor).

I asked her again today if she was more happy or sad to see it go and if she was sure she was ok with the deal. She laughed and said she was elated, never was her thing


She was far from living poor or needing money. It was obvious that for some reason she was blessing me.
however my quiet plan is once I have everything sorted out and parts swapped out for my truck, I'm going to re gather all the parts to make this a nice complete project again and sell it. The additional profits are going back to her if she will accept, and I still have 3's and 4's of some items from running through so many trucks with extra parts that I can still help my buds out if I have spares they need...

Luck does play a pretty good role as long as you are also constantly on the hunt...and I am lol. If I fall into another pile tomorrow, momma knows I'll be dragging it home.

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by chopit

he was not a member...I asked.

She told me exactly what he had spent, which I won't disclose but it was an outrageous # with parts, paid out labor etc. (she said a chunk of it was because he got screwed by a painter and a couple others that took advantage on labor).

I asked her again today if she was more happy or sad to see it go and if she was sure she was ok with the deal. She laughed and said she was elated, never was her thing


She was far from living poor or needing money. It was obvious that for some reason she was blessing me.
however my quiet plan is once I have everything sorted out and parts swapped out for my truck, I'm going to re gather all the parts to make this a nice complete project again and sell it. The additional profits are going back to her if she will accept, and I still have 3's and 4's of some items from running through so many trucks with extra parts that I can still help my buds out if I have spares they need...

Luck does play a pretty good role as long as you are also constantly on the hunt...and I am lol. If I fall into another pile tomorrow, momma knows I'll be dragging it home.

Awesome situation then! Congratulations! Sleep well knowing you scored a great deal from a very nice lady!

[Daze57]

good deal you got ---and i may say you are goin about it in all the right directions --well done !

[Task Force Era]

Definitely a major score! Can't help but feel bad for the guy though. Sounds like he had a kick a$$ project going on. Ha!

[57chevyman]

awesome deal!
i came across a great score when i found the bed for my truck... i had been looking for over a year for a decent stepside bed to replace the 88-98 bed that was on my truck... i was starting to consider buying a new bed..and then one of my landscaping customers bought a '56 stepside project... and his truck came with TWO complete beds... we worked out a barter deal ( his idea) and i did a big yard cleanup for him. one days work. heres where the deal got even sweeter.. when we did the cleanup, there was $175 worth of metal for the scrap yard, which completely offset my cost to do the job and haul away a dump truck full of debris.

[chopit]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

awesome deal!
i came across a great score when i found the bed for my truck... i had been looking for over a year for a decent stepside bed to replace the 88-98 bed that was on my truck... i was starting to consider buying a new bed..and then one of my landscaping customers bought a '56 stepside project... and his truck came with TWO complete beds... we worked out a barter deal ( his idea) and i did a big yard cleanup for him. one days work. heres where the deal got even sweeter.. when we did the cleanup, there was $175 worth of metal for the scrap yard, which completely offset my cost to do the job and haul away a dump truck full of debris.

That's awesome! You can have a slew of tough days grinding and hunting and then one day like that can turn it all around and make it all worthwhile. Reckon that applies to life in general...not just builds lol

[ptc]

This sounds like a great thing you have found and are doing with this person, whatever her situation is. Whether its a divorce or a life lost, fair deals should always be practiced by all. (side note; the Richard Rollins of this world make me ill)

I always worry that if something happens to me that everything in my shop will be gone thru by some vultures taking advantage of my wife trying to sell everything she wants just "to be done with it". Especially after a loss its very hard for women to deal with this stuff and they should never be taken advantage of for any reason.

It appears a blessing has been bestowed upon you, and as such there are responsibilites. Im sure you will deliver.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by ptc

I always worry that if something happens to me that everything in my shop will be gone thru by some vultures taking advantage of my wife trying to sell everything she wants just "to be done with it". Especially after a loss its very hard for women to deal with this stuff and they should never be taken advantage of for any reason.

I have a notebook just for that purpose (and insurance) that lists all the stuff with replacement and fair market value. A lot of the tools are vintage I got from my dad and grandfather, a lot that where handed down to them and date into the 1800's. Most home policies only value garage contents at a portion of the main house and you should know the value in case you need to get a rider or assigned value on your policy. The list also shows stuff that will not be sold, but passed on the other family members, etc.