Is this a good deal??? First time C10 owner

[Dsnyder78]

Looked at a solid 1970 swb flare side c10 yesterday and fell in love. I don't want my emotions to dictate my purchase and figured I'd ask the experts to see if this is a good find.

The good:
High desert vehicle all its life
Extremely solid body, only bondo work was around gas cap, and rt frt fender
New bed floor(not installed)
The original tail gate has zero damage! Not a work truck
Fresh (under 1500mi) chevy 350, engine purrs
Swb!!!

The bad:
No power brakes, all drum(I think $750 should cover a frt disc/power conv.)
4spd with granny(not sure if that's a negative, but I'd replace in the future)
Rear window needs replacing
All weather stripping needs replacement(minor)

Comes with a posi rear end with disc brakes, the truck seems really legit. All stock suspension. I think $8k is a good price! What do you guys think? My friend who buys and sells vehicles internationally thinks it's only a $5k truck, but I think he's way off. But this is my first classic vehicle, and I've been drooling over these trucks for ten years now.

What do you guys think?

[chiefcfd]

Check the SPID label on the inside of the glove box. Sounds like it may not be a stock truck. Not very many C-10 SWB Stepsides came with a granny 4 speed. Look for the rust pots under the cab on cab mounts. Look at the frame to see if it is a cutdown Long bed. All these thing s affect the price. Check it out closely and if it checks out pay what you think it's worth to you. You are the only one that matters. A truck is worth what someone is willing to pay.

[68shortwide]

We love pics. Got any? Lol. By flare side you mean step side? Or Fleetside. Fleets are smooth and steps, well have a step lol. Sounds like a good deal. I'd be questioning why the bondo is where it is, but overall sounds like a good truck. Your friend sounds close. I'd offer 6500 and work from there. Make sure all the vins match. There's on on the door jamb of the cab drivers side under the striker plate and one on the frame drivers side by the ps box and if the original spid tag on the back of the glove box there's one there too which also confirm it being a shortbed. Good luck I hope you'll be happy with it and welcome to the board.

[68shortwide]

Lol chief we posted at same time.

[Sean1985]

I would run the vin and make sure it's a stock swb. I bought a 67 swb stepside is San Diego about a year ago. No rust 400sbc with 350 turbo trans. Body is super solid. I paid 3k. I think it was a good deal but not the best I've ever heard. This is what it looked like the day I brought it home.

[70']

The short answer is, it's worth what your willing to pay for it. As for me, it would have to be pretty darn nice for 8 grand. I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but you really have to inspect these things good, as many times repairs can be hard to find until you dig into something else and find major underlying problems on a truck that looks great from the outside. I would be inclined to think your buddy is probably a little closer to the number without having any photos to look at.

[Dsnyder78]

The frame looked untouched, I was looking for the LWB to SWB cuts/welds. Didn't know about the SPID labels, def good to know! Sorry, def a step side bed. I am mechanically inclined, but body work not so much. Here's the craigslist ad, the pics pretty much suck because it's crammed up in his garage. I can't believe you got that truck for $3k! I think I may have to keep looking then. My plans are to do air ride, keep the outside looking decent, good power, reliable, fun to drive truck. Keeping it simple.

Link for the ad:

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4842410595.html

[too much stuff]

I think your friend is more inline at 5k. Even that may be on the high side being in primer...
For the area you are in, i would keep looking.

[landy]

As previous posters said, check the SPID model/serial no. to confirm it's an original shortbed stepside. A previous owner may have cut the frame down to make it into a shortbed, which isn't necessarily bad if done correctly, but it's obviously not original.

IMO, $8k is way too high. Under $5k is more reasonable. In buying a truck, I try to consider if I could sell it for what I paid for it (not including what money I may have to invest in it).

Good luck!

[tcrist]

Think of it this way, how much would you have in it once you just put it back together with paint. You can find a better deal.

[CST10]

I'm thinking ya friend is pretty close to the actual price, maybe even a lil high still. These truck are exploding over the last few years in sales with everybody thinking that their truck is worth a crap load of cash due to auction companies such as mecum and Barrett Jackson.

[70']

Now that I see the ad, I would definitely be out on that one for 8 grand. I would be in the 3-3500 range at best. Any time I see a truck that's "ready for paint" that scares me. It usually means one of two things, they got that far in and found a major problem, or there are unspeakable things hidden under their work and they hope you didn't dig too deep. A respectable body shop isn't going to just let a guy roll a vehicle in there like that and shoot paint on it, because they don't know what is under the primer. Unless he can tell you what body shop did the work on it, stay away......far away.

[leddzepp]

Project truck, 2K at best.

[Dsnyder78]

Originally Posted by 68shortwide

...welcome to the board.

I've been trolling this board on and off for years, I'm finally at the point where I can buy one!

Thank you guys for all the advice! The search continues...

[dubds10]

Either the dude is smoking something or he's trying to get all his money back plus some which never happens. $3500 at most for that truck.

[Sicklajoie]

I was just checking out some of the craigslist truck ads in Nevada. There's some people asking crazy (as in too much) money for stuff out there.

[slowcpe]

I was going to say originally the price didn't sound too bad based on the descprition, but now after seeing pics I'm with consensus: price is too high. And that's coming from a guy that lives in the rust belt. Looks like a project truck someone is abandoning for some reason or another. I'm sure there are better for less in your neck of the woods.

[Dsnyder78]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

I was just checking out some of the craigslist truck ads in Nevada. There's some people asking crazy (as in too much) money for stuff out there.

It's not only trucks, it's everything. I've seen ppl trying to sell Evo 8s for $20k, rediculous!

[1968aj]

bought this for half what they are asking for the one you are looking at. fresh built motor ; transmission; rear end. five lug conversion and complete lowered suspension. they are asking too much.