47-59 Today's value?? ...1956 Chevy SWB Step Small Back Window

[dug224]

The fun stuff keeps finding its way to me. Since I am out of touch on current values, request input on what would be a fair price to offer the owner for his 1956 SWB Stepside Small Window. Was helping a friend move some equipment to his parking area and noticed this truck on an adjacent property. Don't need the project but decided I would attempt to buy mainly because it is a southern California truck that is now in the south and has been sitting outside in a field for the last couple of years. Rusting at all the usual spots including door bottom fenders at the step sides. It appears to be bone stock with exception of the engine and trans. Engine is said to be a 289 out of an old Corvette. He says it runs and drives. I only managed to take the one photograph. He said it spent its life on a Navy base so I suspect the overall use of the truck has been low. Thx. dug

[youngrodder]

Hard to say accurately without more info. How much of the drivetrain and chassis have been updated? Is the braking system drum or disc? The body looks pretty free of rust. How doe the floors look. Any interior to speak of?

I'm only be taking a wild guess without more info, but I could see between $8,500 - $12,000 (which still might be low). Others will probably say I'm crazy but these good O'l honest trucks are not as plentiful these days. More money spent on the front end for a good truck is money saved on the bad end doing major rust and metal repair.

Marc

[dug224]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Hard to say accurately without more info. How much of the drivetrain and chassis have been updated? Is the braking system drum or disc? The body looks pretty free of rust. How doe the floors look. Any interior to speak of?

I'm only be taking a wild guess without more info, but I could see between $8,500 - $12,000 (which still might be low). Others will probably say I'm crazy but these good O'l honest trucks are not as plentiful these days. More money spent on the front end for a good truck is money saved on the bad end doing major rust and metal repair.

Marc

Marc...thanks. I'll get a closer look next time I'm over there. I think the brakes are original and I'd guess the only things updated are the engine and transmission and, by updated, I mean an old V-8 and old transmission are in the place of the original in-line 6 & trans. As good as it looks, it is still a project and the older I get, the more I subscribe to your "...More money spent on the front end for a good truck is money saved on the bad end doing major rust and metal repair....". Enjoyed (and still enjoying) my never ending 1959 Big Window on a late model Trailblazer frame but don't want to take on that level of a project...at least for now. dug

[Dan in Pasadena]

By the way, a 289 was a Ford small block. 283 was the Chevrolet of equivalent size.

PS: I agree on the $8 to 12,000 price range. Actually, in SoCal you'd never find one in that shape for under $10,000.

[dug224]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

By the way, a 289 was a Ford small block. 283 was the Chevrolet of equivalent size.

PS: I agree on the $8 to 12,000 price range. Actually, in SoCal you'd never find one in that shape for under $10,000.

Dan: Thanks for the correction and input on value. I'll see if I can sneak up on this one and get it out of the weather and into my nearly full again air conditioned garage. dug