Getting ready to pull the trigger

[ezraw]

Hi all,

I've been looking for my first 68-72 C-10 for several months now. Finally got the bank loan approved, and I am ready to pull the trigger should the right truck come along.

I'd welcome any opinions on this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=39409

I've gotten additional photos via email. The truck is turquoise, not green. Everything looks good, straight metal and so forth. Bed is a little rough I'm told.

I prefer the grill style of the 71-72s, but this one has a certain look I like. But no disc brakes. Any comments on drum brakes on a daily driver?

Anyway, from what I've observed, $8,000 seems reasonable, but not much higher. Any thoughts?

Finally, is it wise to install shoulder belts? I've got a kid, so I'm thinking his mom will require as much. How much can I expect to pay?

Thanks all!

[ronniej]

Nice looking truck. Sounds good but i would have a hard time chunking out 8 grand for a vehicle that i had never heard run or looked over in person.

ronniej

[ezraw]

Well that is a risk. However I have not come across many C10s in the DC area. So I could be waiting a loooong time for a nice local truck.

In this case, I would post a deposit, then go down and look at it before paying the remainder. But there is the cost of transportation down there and the hassle. About a day's drive from where I live.

Anyone have experience doing this?

[busterwivell]

I'm inclined to agree with RonnieJ. That's a lot of money to plunk down without physically seeing and touching the truck. Just because there are not many in your area, I don't know that I would pounce on this on. I would consider going to something like a Goodguys show, or a major swapmeet for a weekend and seeing what is available in person. I've seen cars sell at shows that the owner didn't try to sell, but got an offer from a spectator. Just my opinion, nothing against the one you found.

[palallin]

That color was known as Light Green originally, so that's probably why the listing calls it "Green."

Original shoulder belts are a bolt-in, but they are rare, expensive, and probably not worth it (Mom notwithstanding). Retrofits are possible and not very difficult but likewise not really worth it to some.

"Bed is a little rough," can mean an awful lot of things; an $8G truck ought not to have a "rough" anything, at least in this neck o' the woods.

If you're willing to pay that much, I'd be tempted to buy a really solid, original truck in the Sun-'n-Sand Belt and spend the difference getting it home.

IMHO, YMMV.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Don't get in a hurry. If you like the 71/72 trucks then that is what you should buy. You wont be happy untill you do. Be pationt and the right one will come along, wether or not it is on ebay or not. The desert south is always the best place to buy your truck and for the kind of money that you are willing to plunk down, a realy nice one will become available. (Not that the one you are looking at isn't a realy nice one) Then you can consider it a road trip and drive it home. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

[bpmcgee]

Use an inspection service!!

For $75 or so, they'll go down there, drive it, kick the tires, etc, and give you a complete written report.

Well worth it on an $8k investment!

Brian

[Longhorn Man]

Welcome to the board.
I think I would flat out pass on that rig.

from the auction...with no bids new cab corners, rockers, rad. support, inner fenders, bumpers...

Seems like he woulda fixed the bed after doing all that. And there is no telling what kind of work was done.
I agree with getting one from the south western part of the country. For 8 grand, i would expect at least 2 dozen high quality pictures, about 10 times more info than what was given, and documentation.
Now I know not everyone has been on E-bay for 5 years...I don't even have an acount, but with only one transaction, I would hesitate.
But that's me.

[cdowns]

check out www.rustfreeclassics.com and welcome to the board

[ddsmith]

Are you interested in a particular color. Here a board members truck for sale in Maryland. That's not to far from DC. I don't know if he still has it or not but if you like the looks you could find out. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=65052

[mtdave2]

yep im with these guys. go see it first. from what i have seen, they are never as nice as they were online. usualy a step or 2 down from.... go see it, or wait! or maybe at least have someone in the area look

[busterwivell]

OK, you tell him to get a Southwestern truck. Fly in for the next Pomona Swap meet, check out the available trucks, test drive them, and drive it home, probably for less money. That is what I would do, but I'm already here!

[1969 GMC]

I guess I was lucky when I bought my truck on eBay. The seller was listing it for an older gentleman, who probably doesn't like computers. The auction itself didn't really contail a lot of detail, so I was eager to contact him and ask questions. I got the owner's number, and he was the nicest old guy. He talked about everything matter of factly, and did not try to misrepresent it just so he could turn a buck. I used Buy It Now, and sent a deposit, then hopped on the Greyhound to Minnesota. If the truck was totally not what I expected, my dad and I bought round trip tickets so we could come back home (they cost the same as one way ) Now I know MN is a big member of the salt belt, but the truck had been used off road for years as a farm implement, so its not really rusty at all. Where it is, is from sitting outside, not salty roads. The truck was actually better than the picture we had formed in our minds. It was very reliable, and in good shape. A few little things the old man had done that were questionable, but not that bad at all. Quite a few people thought dad and I were a little crazy, but so far we've not seen any 67-72 4x4 trucks here, let alone in as good of shape as mine (haha no trophies, but VERY solid). We had to go somewhere far away to get a good truck. I must say good luck in your hunt

[Longhorn Man]

Although...with 8 grand in your pocket...you get the pick of the crop.
Personally, i would go for a low mileage all original (especially the paint and body) truck that has not been molested with ham fisted hot-rodders and Mickey mouse electricians.

[ezraw]

Man, you guys sure know how to talk a guy out of spending some money!

In response to some of the posts above, I did get more info and photos via email. Also, the truck was on Ebay in June and didn't meet the reserve price. I'm guessing it was $8K. But no photo of the bed, and yep, the one transaction is a bit of a warning flag.

Alright so here's some more info on what I'm looking for.

The truck will be parked outside, so nothing too fancy or shiny. This will be my only vehicle, so it needs to be reliable, too. 71-72 SWB, preferably with AC/PS/PB. Nothing excessively raised or lowered.

I'm not too particular on colors, but I do want a truck with both the upper and lower trim on the side. And you might think this is weird, but I really dig the tailgate with the tall wide "C H E V R O L E T" lettering -- not the short letters on wood paneling. Which models come with these options and which don't?

I have noticed some trucks that look stock to be slightly raised in the back so they have an agressive stance. (like this one: http://images.traderonline.com/img/1...53395812_1.jpg) Is that stock or something custom? Is it just the wheels and tires?

I'm not planning on (OK, not capable of) doing much work on it myself, so I'd prefer to get something that won't require spending a lot of additional $$ to get it running.

I like the looks of this one (price is too much $$ for me at $11.5K): http://images.traderonline.com/img/1...53029454_1.jpg

And I really like the one shown in the first link, but again, $10.5K is too much for me.

Thanks for your advice and help. Drop me an email if you know of anything.

Ezra

[Carl71]

If your willing to spend that much money I agree with these guys go to car shows or watch this parts board there several trucks come up for sale in you area. Good luck welcome

[truckster]

The fact that no one has bid on it yet is a pretty good indication that the price is probably out of line. If what you want is a good daily driver, you can find a 4X4 in fairly good shape for about half of that if you want to take a trip to the great western US.

[busterwivell]

The next Pomona swap meet is October 19. I'll be there.