adding resale value?

[roj2323]

hey guys,
well i'm building a 71 LWB and i am seriously concidering selling it after i finish it. because of this i am wondering what i should spend my money on. anotherwards what should i do to get the most out of the truck? i'm planning on a 4-6 drop, an exotic wood bed, and a stock gm dark metalic blue paint but other than that i've been winging it.

thoughts?
ondrew

[cdowns]

most improvements you can get about 50cents on the dollar for when it comes to resale value

[67sss]

I've found that when building a truck for resale you want to keep it clean and simple. If you add things "you" like, the next owner might not like it. IMO

[Green Machine]

I kind of hate to say it but if you are going to make any money on it just replace thing people can see, like if the brakes are servicable, don't put on new ones, if a few ball joints are loose but safe, new ones won't bring much more money, etc etc. I think most prefer an unmolested truck so they can do their own thing. Above all, either fix what needs fixing correctly or dont fix it at all. The absolute worst thing in my book is any kind of cobbled up "repair". A cobbled up repair is much harder to fix later properly than if just left as is.

Blue might be a good color, but there is a reason for the term "Resale Red" !!!

[CG]

i dont know if anyone would appreciate the exotic wood bed enough to get your money back on that. a nice oak bed (or whatever the usual is) would probably be plenty.

[roj2323]

thanks for the reply's. good info. i don't think i have to worry about any jimmy rigged parts since it's all going to be new but it's a good pointer none the less. as far as the bed goes i'm going to be milling the wood myself so it will probably be cheaper than a kit besides i have a cabinet maker who owes me lot$$ of money.

should i put a trim kit on it or leave it plane? i'd probably use 67-68 trim

anyone else care to chime in?

ondrew

[Green Machine]

Sorry if I overdid the cobble part, just one of my pet peaves......., Man, I don't know about the 67-68 trim. I like the 67-68 trim better, but for resale I'd stick with stock 69-72 type JMHO.

[4x4Poet]

Good paint and body work with a clean interior, detailed (if not also rebuilt) engine, and painted frame, suspension, & axle parts are the best place to start, IMO.

Most potential buyers can't do body work, interior work, engine rebuilding, or even engine detailing, so taking care of those areas leaves the buyer the easier options of changing the tires & wheels, suspension (2wd lowering or 4x4 lift), stereo install, etc. Little things make the difference like painting the rad core spt, AC, fender skirts, etc.

I definitely wouldn't bother lowering the truck since you will severely limit your pool of potential buyers and even risk lowering the truck in a manner not favored by those who know, or think they know, how to lower a truck (spring only, bags, etc.). You could cut exhaust holes in the trailing arm crossmember and route the exhuast through them so the truck could be lowered without changing the exhuast. I also don't think there are too many big money buyers looking for a lowered, LWB C10. Most want coil sprung SWB C10s.

Since you can do the bed wood yourself, go for it.

[special-K]

Sell it now for more than you paid.That`s how to make money.I assume you just want to enjoy the experience of building a nice truck.Keep it simple,clean,and address driveability first.Then,go after appearance.Mainly focusing on displaying a good condition,not upgrades or custom touches.Think of it as selling an empty canvas for the next guy to personalize.

[Bishops Trucks]

I also don't think there are too many big money buyers looking for a lowered, LWB C10. Most want coil sprung SWB C10s

Not to high jack the thread but before I tore this truck into pieces, every time I drove it I was asked if I wanted to sell it. LWB's look good lowered and the fact that everyone want's the lowered shorties makes it differant.

[roj2323]

bishop. love the drop on your truck! what is it? 4-6?

[bouncytruck]

Slap a coat of "resell-red" on it and put on some cheap big rims and tires - get 'em used if possible. Anything more and you will probalby spend more than you can sell it for.

If you can build it & hold on to it for a couple years, you may have a chance of getting your money out of it.

[Bishops Trucks]

Originally Posted by roj2323

bishop. love the drop on your truck! what is it? 4-6?

The front is 2 1/2" drop spindles with 2" drop springs and the back is 5" drop springs. The truck is in Pieces now and is going to get a four way bag set-up.

[Billla]

I'd have to agree with the other folks...if you're going to sell it, sell it. I wouldn't even think you'd get .50 on the dollar invested. If there are things that are broken, fix them - but I sure wouldn't put any cosmetic money (like the bed) in at all. Someone that's going to buy it is either a) going to use if for a work truck or b) want to tear it down for a restore/rebuild.

It's different if you want to do this stuff for fun or to learn, then you can consider your time free...but if you're looking at this as a money making deal it ain't gonna happen :/

[PanelDeland]

If you want to make money on it turn it into a condo(preferably beachfront) because real estate will go up in value but few people will pay you what you have in the truck when it's finished.Most custom/classic car restorations cost more than the vehicle is worth.Lately I have seen a lot of people thinking their rusty junk is worth something because"I saw one like it on Barret-Jackson sell for(Insert exorbitant amount here)".Remember even a brand new maseratti starts losing value as soon as you drive it off the lot.

"Barret-Jackson isn't about cars it's about rich people trading money for prestige"

The above quote is from an unknown tho knowledgable passersby at the Charlotte auto fair.

[etg]

First you have to decide exactly what direction you want to take. Do you want it as a project truck until your bored? Do you want to make a show truck? Or do you just want to get rid of it? Like someone above mention you have to fix it right or not touch it at all. So do a good job on whatever you work on and it will add resale value. On an investment like this it takes money to make money, so you have to make it a dedicated show truck or a rat rod. Show truck its worth spending every dime because eventually there will be a buyer, these suckers are very popular and very pricey. Otherwise you should go go for the rat-rod look, something that you can say you worked on and the future owner won't have to touch. That will take less money but make less money as well. Just decide Daily Driver, Weekend Cruiser, Show Truck, or Rat Rod status and go from there. It really devalues your ride if you have a Rat Rod goin and decide to put in some exotic bedwood, cuz your not gonna get the money for your wood. Or if you're going more show and leave older/smaller brakes in there, you won't get paid as much. Okay I'll shut up now. lol.

[jbon64]

i sold a 69 SWB a couple of years ago, it was lowered 4/6 , basic truck rallies 350/350 . the only "custom " work i did was a engine turned dash and classic gauges . i just barely made money on it , i had about 6500 in it and sold it for 6800 . i guess the timing was right and the "right " person saw the ad.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

...before I tore this truck into pieces, every time I drove it I was asked if I wanted to sell it. LWB's look good lowered and the fact that everyone want's the lowered shorties makes it differant.
Attachment 197353

Thanks for presenting your first hand experience on this. I'll value it over my own perspective from watching what brings the big bucks on ebay and other sites plus local sales I learn about. I guess I should have qualified my advice to mean only the big money sellers. There's a lot of inbetween I left out.


BTW, to all the folks saying not to do an exotic wood bed, the OP said he has a cabinet maker connection that owes him. If he can do the bed wood inexpensively, why not?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Unfortunately these trucks aren't like 69 camaros, you can't drop 12K in it and get 15-20K back for it. If you drop 12K in one you'll probably get 8K back. Look on ebay, lots of trucks say 12-15K invested and they sell from anywhere from 6-10K.

I've dropped probably 5K in my truck since '03 and it will be a nice driver when done, but in all honesty I'd be lucky to get $3,500 out of it if I tried to sell it.

[Bishops Trucks]

Thanks for presenting your first hand experience on this. I'll value it over my own perspective from watching what brings the big bucks on ebay and other sites plus local sales I learn about. I guess I should have qualified my advice to mean only the big money sellers. There's a lot of inbetween I left out.

4X4Poet,
Do I sence a little hostility in your reply. If I offended your knowledge of these trucks then I'm sorry for that. If it's O.K. with you I will get your permission before I reply to a thread that you have replyed to. Your knowledge is far greater than any I have. I bow down to you "SIR". Maybe you need to read my reply a few more times to understand what I meant it to say. Not everyone wants a shortbed. You have a nice day.

[special-K]

ALL these trucks are desireable.You have the different groups who want different things.Then,there`s guys like me,I like them all.In the proper condition they are all worth good money.Certain configurations can bring more loot than others.And,I`d say the highest potential value would be a loaded big block short Fleetside.As a rule,it would be safe to say comparable shortbed vs longbed is going to sell for more.With the current nostalgic lead-sled/late`50s-early`60s/big car custom styles making a comeback,a slammed longbed has gained popularity more than ever.Not that there hasn`t always been love for the longbeds.People used to only think a`55-`57 Belair hardtop or convertible brought big bucks.Now,the post sedans are right up there and are the favorite for hot rodding.This is the opposite direction,big to smaller,because of the era.In the`50s long`n`low was hip.

[Bishops Trucks]

What He Said! I have had a of bunch of differant style trucks and I liked them all. Opinions are part of life.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by roj2323

hey guys,
well i'm building a 71 LWB and i am seriously concidering selling it after i finish it. because of this i am wondering what i should spend my money on. anotherwards what should i do to get the most out of the truck? i'm planning on a 4-6 drop, an exotic wood bed, and a stock gm dark metalic blue paint but other than that i've been winging it.

thoughts?
ondrew

YEP... SPEND $10,000 TO $12,000 & 2 TO 3 THOUSAND HOURS RESTORING THIS TRUCK, ONLY TO SELL IT FOR $5,000 OR $6,000. WHAT A GREAT IDEA. THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY TO BE MADE HERE, MAYBE YOU SHOULD QUIT YOUR DAY JOB & START RESTORING THESE TRUCKS FULL TIME. I LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE GETTING INTO THESE TRUCKS JUST FOR THE MONEY. (THAT REALLY FURTHER'S OUR HOBBY):roll eyes: JOHN

[gn4u2c]

Well, as a guy who has owned alot of older rides. The # 1 most important thing that gets my attention is a nice stock seat . YES !! no broken springs, good padding, nice original style cover, so you fell good behind the wheel. Nothing is worse than getting into something that painted up all nice and sinking into the worn out , walmart covered front seat.

[roj2323]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

YEP... SPEND $10,000 TO $12,000 & 2 TO 3 THOUSAND HOURS RESTORING THIS TRUCK, ONLY TO SELL IT FOR $5,000 OR $6,000. WHAT A GREAT IDEA. THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY TO BE MADE HERE, MAYBE YOU SHOULD QUIT YOUR DAY JOB & START RESTORING THESE TRUCKS FULL TIME. I LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE GETTING INTO THESE TRUCKS JUST FOR THE MONEY. (THAT REALLY FURTHER'S OUR HOBBY):roll eyes: JOHN

I am building a truck because I want to learn from and enjoy the process. If I was doing this sort of thing strictly for money I’d build a cudda, mustang, corvette or some other overly popular muscle car. God forbid I ask for advice.
Ondrew