'66 GMC 4000 L Cab w/351C grain bed/no dump

[vegehtz]

Newbie here, first post, hopefully many more.

I have been keeping track of this truck for a year or two and its finally coming up on auction.
I have actually never laid my own eyes on it,have just seen pictures. I'd really appreciate hearing from the collective wisdom of the forum as to whether this would be a good purchase for me?

Just this morning I find out that there is no odometer in it, just the speedo and fuel and water temp gauges. Is this normal? I have owned several '64 Chevy 1/2 tons, but never a big truck like this. I'm hoping that someone on the forum here can shed some light on why this truck would not have one.

The truck is in pretty good shape mechanically, it runs and drives. Its pretty much been driven between the farm and the grain storage place (4 miles)

The tires are average and it may need a battery. I was told it had a brake job several years ago (???) and that the sideboards on the grain bed had been replaced and repainted in the last 5 years as well.

The body is in decent shape, minimal rust, with the only holes above the wheels in the curve of the fenders. Both sides have been patched with some sheet metal, not perfectly by any means. A few dings here and there but not bad at all.

Also just this morning my contact told me the passenger-side windshield got smacked by a grain elevator they were moving. Its broken, they are sourcing a replacement and hoping to have it fixed before the auction tomorrow.

Along with my question about the odometer, I'm wondering if I'm crazy to attempt purchasing something like this? I don't need a big truck like this, but I currently don't have a running "old" truck and I'm hoping that I could get it fairly cheap. ($1,500 or less) It would not be a daily driver, but I'd use it once or twice a week and for sure on weekends for various projects, landscaping/construction/retrieving other old trucks.

I don't expect that I would ever be interested in doing any "restoration" on this one beyond maintaining and improving what is there, so I don't have expectations in that regard. If I had the money I'd buy me a 60-66 one ton and maybe someday that will happen, just not now.

Thanks in advance for your advice. It is much appreciated!