Are square body Chevys/GMCs getting more popular?

[Nodnarb76]

When I bought my 87 Suburban back in 2013, I could look around and find plenty of Square bodies. Now Seems they are getting harder to find. Also recently seems like parts are getting harder to find. LMC truck has been out of stock on their premium chrome rear bumpers, this morning they had them back in stock, by this afternoon they were sold out again. Also noticed on Rockauto.com, I couldn't find stainless steel door mirrors for a long time on that site.
Are parts starting to dry up and getting harder to find? Are people buying these now and fixing them up more than they used to?

[rideair]

The simple answer is, Yes.

I've seen it with different car brands, models, etc.... through the years.

I have a few old cars that I call the "B*stard Children of the Automotive Industry"

1962 Galaxie Conv.
1968 Travelall
1963 Triumph Heralds
1987 K30 CC SRW
1988 Suburban
1980 450SL

They are all real nice drivers, get in and go, no trailer queens.

I've watched over the years each one of them go up in price, but more so, the so called "Classic's" of the same years and manufactures are nowhere to be found, so people go the the next best thing. Used to be people only wanted 2 door cars, now they settle for the 4 door counter part saying " Well, this is what Americians really drove", guess it makes them feel better about their purchase.

If you want it, get it while you can, prices will go up and rust never sleeps.

Plus, "Cash for Clunkers" didn't help at all for the 1980's era Trucks and Suburbans. Saw a lot of nice trucks go to the crusher!

Enjoy,

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb76

Also recently seems like parts are getting harder to find. LMC truck has been out of stock on their premium chrome rear bumpers, this morning they had them back in stock, by this afternoon they were sold out again.

LMC out of stock? That's surprising. Everything I used to buy from them was extremely cheap, poorly made offshore junk. I went back to scouring the junkyards and craigslist for OEM. Much harder but, you get what you pay for

[mongocanfly]

There was a similar thread on here awhile back...I'm suprised your having trouble finding trucks..there's plenty of squares still on the road around here.ill see 4-5 nearly every day...most are still being used as trucks..theres also a few really nice ones around...spare parts not so much...very hard to find parts...I put a lmc front bumper on mine..not nearly as heavy as the one I took off but other than that there wasn't any problems with it

[Jrgunn5150]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

There was a similar thread on here awhile back...I'm suprised your having trouble finding trucks..there's plenty of squares still on the road around here.ill see 4-5 nearly every day...most are still being used as trucks..theres also a few really nice ones around...spare parts not so much...very hard to find parts...I put a lmc front bumper on mine..not nearly as heavy as the one I took off but other than that there wasn't any problems with it

You're in Alabama lol. I'm in Michigan, seeing a square, being used as a truck, is rare enough to be remarkable here nowadays. A nice driver is in the 3500 range.

[AJC]

About a year ago they became popular at the high school in my town. Drive by when school was in session you see 6 to 10 of them. When I was in high school (2014) it was gmt400 that were big.

[Rich84]

I see several Squares everyday being used by landscape companies towing trailers etc..
I'm looking for another. Around here they are getting $3500 for complete rust buckets..

[truckin 79]

Yes at least her in CO, I think they are. I go to the junk yard a lot and there are usually 3-4 new squares every 2-3 weeks but man are these things picked over quickly. If you dont get to parts right away, the interiors , steering columns, dash gauge, emblems, grilles, radios and motors all gone. I have not really seen that many nice squares driving the streets, mine included but junk yard parts can keep a square running for a long time. The opposite can be said for Fords though, those parts are everywhere

[Jrgunn5150]

Originally Posted by Rich84

I see several Squares everyday being used by landscape companies towing trailers etc..
I'm looking for another. Around here they are getting $3500 for complete rust buckets..

It's becoming uncommon here to even see GMT400's used for work. I had to upgrade to an 800 myself as my 400 evaporated from under me lol.

[AJC]

It's becoming uncommon here to even see GMT400's used for work.

Its about 50/50 gmt400/gmt800 here.

[RADustin]

Its two fold IMO.

Yes- more people want them as collector cars.

But many people that have them aren't ready to replace them and are still working them. As in they haven't realized they are gaining value and/or newer trucks are out of this world expensive.

I see so many around here turned into mud trucks and demo derby vehicles, it sickens me.

Last week I finally found my dream 73-76 small door panel Sierra Classic camper special 3+3 and the guy had no clue what he had. it was just an old tired dually to him. sure I got it for a good price, but I'm lucky he didn't put it out to pasture and let it rot away.

It is well know the 67-72s are holy grails. The squares have yet to gain the celebrity status with common folks.

[abig84]

where im at in the midwest they are either show trucks or rotted to the ground plow trucks, finally seen one for sale on the side of the road pulled over to look at it i think it was a 1980, 350, th350 np203 nothing special, some rust some crappy body work, leaking everything out of everywhere..... $8500

i think its just the area though, as i see these trucks come up for sale out west or down south for a 1/3rd of that price in the same condition and in most cases better.

so for me if i want another one i have to travel without a doubt

[mongocanfly]

Jrgun your right..its different in other parts of the country..theyre so common place here sometimes we don't give it a second thought..I saw about 7-8 today..and another 4 sitting on car lots for sale..

[Jstock85]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Jrgun your right..its different in other parts of the country..theyre so common place here sometimes we don't give it a second thought..I saw about 7-8 today..and another 4 sitting on car lots for sale..

I travel around a lot in south MS and see several a day as well. Most of what i see or still being used although there are some restorations on the road. I guess the agricultural needs of the south and lack of snow over the years keeps these trucks around longer in this part of the country.

[Desert1957]

It is at my house.

[Jrgunn5150]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Jrgun your right..its different in other parts of the country..theyre so common place here sometimes we don't give it a second thought..I saw about 7-8 today..and another 4 sitting on car lots for sale..

I bought mine in Arkansas, and had my pick of trucks in the 200-4500 range lol.

[st1]

Yes, it seems odd cause when I was looking for a truck in like 2004-2006, I could not find a good running truck I could afford but I was looking for a 67-72 swb. I found a 79 stepside with the rusted out floors and all that. I found a parts truck that was actually in better shape than mine was to help in the first restoration non running but all there for like $3k. the first truck I got was $600 with a dead battery. Parts is another issue cause some companies want an arm and a leg for stuff not made in the USA and of low quality. I am in the ending stages of my truck build so parts is of great concern to me. I am not building it myself just financing the venture as best I can.

[abig84]

I remember the 67-72 always being expensive. Back in the late 90s early 00s people would just giive you 80s trucks. Pre-square bodies were always costly around here

[D13]

I see a ton of them here in Michigan, both on the road and for sale. there are at least 6 (not counting mine) licensed and on the road within 10 miles of me in rural MI. Running rust buckets, 6-700, useable 350 powered machines 1500-2500, nice trucks 3500+. Prices all over, seeing people ask $1k for 3/4 4wd with no bed or motor and rough cab, 3500 for truck with no unrusted panels but needy, etc. Rust free bodies seem to be going 3500+, more if they actually run, and 1 ton front axles are stupid expensive. It's getting more difficult to find a reasonable driver. The GMT 400's have pretty much rusted out, except for a few well maintained ones, and don't seem to have much market. The GMT800's are starting to fail (like mine), beds and rockers in particular are falling off.
Right now there are 30 or so squares for sale on MI CL, I bet I can find 10 in Detroit alone. So parts trucks are getting scarce, frames and beds are failing, and decent builders bring high prices. Oddly enough modded trucks do not really seem to be in, except for a few slammed ones. Clean loaded stockers like Keith's do pretty well.
And anything with a diesel... pretty much can't pay someone to buy it, unless it's and ex-military unit. Same with 6 bangers. Big blocks command a slight premium.

[HeavyD]

Programs like "Roadkill" have really helped the squares too. They built a self admittedly crappy 70's stepside with some huge power LS drivetrain, and called it the "Muscletruck". At one point they had it on ebay but the bids were so stupidly high they yanked it off and kept it. Know of a few people wanting a similar body just to make a sort-of-clone.

Every bit helps the value rise, although this is a double edged sword, as at some point they will be out of range of the common enthusiast.

Myself, I prefer to drive rather than dream, and squares are still well within affordability.

[Titomars]

[QUOTE=HeavyD;7980374]Programs like "Roadkill" have really helped the squares too. They built a self admittedly crappy 70's stepside with some huge power LS drivetrain, and called it the "Muscletruck". At one point they had it on ebay but the bids were so stupidly high they yanked it off and kept it. Know of a few people wanting a similar body just to make a sort-of-clone.

Freiburger does not call it crappy at all. It is his truck. The only thing he downs on it is the un-needed C-notch he installed. The truck is pretty typical for the finish of cars on the show. Finnegan slams the truck once and while. I personally think it is in pretty good shape. A rust free and straight truck that builds tons of horse power, what more could you want in a fun 12 second toy. a trailer queen is not generally what that show is about.
I was following the bidding on it. The last I saw the bid was up to $40k. Which in California (the Location of the muscletruck) that is not so absurd. Semi Straight rust free complete stock 75 and older squares are going for a minimum $5k and go up from there. I have seen utter crap go for 5K here. Here in California squares are rapidly leaving the affordable list like most American 70's vehicles.

[HeavyD]

Like you obviously do I follow those guys pretty regularly and FB indeed said it wasn't that nice for what people were going to shell out for it.

It has celebrity status which adds value, and like you said in Cal toys are expensive.

[Cadillac Kid]

[quote=Titomars;7980675]

Originally Posted by HeavyD

Semi Straight rust free complete stock 75 and older squares are going for a minimum $5k and go up from there. I have seen utter crap go for 5K here.

California: smog exempt=$$$$

[Titomars]

[quote=Cadillac Kid;7982060]

Originally Posted by Titomars

California: smog exempt=$$$$

Exactly... I have seen 75 and older cabs go for big money just for the VIN.

[RUN GMC]

Mongo is right about here in Alabama....they are a plenty here most are like mine driven as daily drivers.....I work at a waste to energy plant and I see quite a few old lwb Squarebodies in-line sixes used as roofing trucks still working their butts off....I did a craigslist search for 73-87 in Huntsville AL and got 81 hits in the area and surrounding from Birmingham to Nashville and Chattanooga.....right now Im preparing to find an ls motor to install in my 98 GMC......