Salvage Title?

[TSierra]

Hi All-

I am looking a really nice 72 that was restored, but it's a salvage title.

Would it be a true to say that most trucks of this vintage are salvaged with all of the rebuilds going on?

Or... would the salvage title decrease the value of the truck?

Thanks in advance.

[jocko]

No, I would not say that most 72 trucks have salvage titles - i'd say the original title is much more common that a salvage title.

If you're concerned (which you apparently are) I'd make sure everything is cool with DMV, then you might feel better buying it.

It's only my personal approach, but I steer away from salvage or state-issued non-VIN matching titles. I'm not sure it hurts the value of the truck - but I do believe it will shrink your number of interested parties if you sell it. But again, if you really are interested, check with DMV and find out what that really means in MT and then decide with a clear conscience. Also recall that states have many different rules for titles, etc - so if you're on a border, might want to see what the case is in nearby states also in case you sell later. Recommend NOT buying it if you aren't sure. Others can chime in with more experience with salvage titles (mine is limited) and maybe other potential risks to having one. May be no risks at all - but at least you'll be more comfortable knowing that when you go to deal. Doesn't mean ya can't work him down on the price anyway...

[TSierra]

Thanks Jocko,

I appreciate the reply and will consider your suggestions.

[Dynomutt]

Talk to your insurance company too, some won't insure a vehicle with a salvage title, mine won't.

[C/10 King]

Why was it salvaged? I once found a nice 72' that was stolen in 84' and found a year later, thus ending up in the junk yard because the insurance company had paid off the owner and didn't want a 12 year old truck, so it was sold as a salvage truck, I never found anything wrong with it.

[jocko]

was that Nacho's illegitimate third cousin?

[Chevyman680063]

I agree with checking with your insurance company and DMV. When I bought my '63 it didn't have a title but the insurance company told me it was ok by them and the state. The insurance company told me to just ask the guy I was buying it from to write up a bill of sale saying that he sold a 1963 Chevrolet C10 to me for X-amount of dollars on such and such date.

[rsavage]

IMO, a salvage title definitely lowers resale value. If you are buying it at the right price to enjoy that's one thing. If you are buying it thinking that you will sell it in the future and get a price comparable with a like truck with a regular title, I believe you will be disappointed.

[riversidebigblockC20]

I have been working in the car business for about 20 years as a car purchasing agent.
As a rule of thumb, a vehicle with a salvage title is worth about 50% of a non salvaged vehicle.
There could also be a problem getting a salvaged vehicle financed or insured.
I always stayed away from them.
Usually there is a serious reason why it was salvaged.
Buyer beware.

[crazy longhorn]

I have to agree, the salvage title does detract from the resale value. One thing to think about tho....it does not take much damage to a 72 vehicle , to have an ins company total it. If you like the truck, have somebody that works in crash repairs inspect it for you? It may very well be one that was lightly damaged, & still make a nice old truck for you(purchased for the right money). As already mentioned, you might talk with your ins company & see how they feel about insuring it. One more thought....if the truck is ever damaged while YOU own it, you may have a fight with the ins company on repairs due to that salvage title. Happy hunting,crazyL

[bobs409]

I don't think a "salvaged" vehicle always means it was wrecked or stolen. Couldn't this just be a vehicle bought out of a junkyard? Might be nothing ever wrong with it.

Once a junkyard gets a car, they usually send the titles in to the DMV with JUNK written on it. To title a car from a junkyard from that point gets you a salvaged title. (an old friend did this with a 62 Cadillac once)

Still not very desirable to most knowing the vehicle was once junked either!

[jeep534]

my 94 jeep has a salvage title because it was in a flood i found Mud everywhere up in it but for my use ( i replaced all the drive train it was perfect.
archie =) =) =)

[TSierra]

Thanks everyone for all of the valuable information.

I will get more answers as to why it is salvaged, but my impression after talking with him was because he pieced it together. He "found a better cab" and so on.... which I assumed was the reason for the salvaged title.

The truck will be 100% for my own enjoyment. However, I do plan on doing a few more things to it, and since we never know what the future holds I would like to know that my investment is in a solid foundation. I'd hate to get it, put the money in it and find that if I had to sell for some reason I would be hard pressed to find a buyer because of the title.

All good perspectives everyone. Thank you very much.

[cdowns]

50 different state 50 different sets of laws concerning salvage



i look at them as parts vehicles only/// too difficult when trying to resell



there are millions of these trucks still around with clean clear valid titles

[hugger6933]

I have been building wrecks ands buying insurance trucks since the latr 1980's. As said above each state has different rules about the salvage designation on the titles and some even have varing degrees of salvage titles, ie damaged salvage junk parts only or permit to dismantle. They are telling you right to check with the state DMV and if it comes from another state that is important as well. In Ar if I buy a out of state salvage truck it has to be inspected by the state police. If it is in state no inspection just a rebuild appilcation. Now on the value 50% is crazy high and he is a buyer with keyword there being buyer , now if he were selling salvage title trucks he would agree saying yes it does hurt the value some but not a lot. Also checking with the state can help in that some states still " wash" title meaning that it has a mark and after a time or two of changing ownership the mark goes away. And lastly the salvage title laws are good imo but are way unfair. I have bought two trucks at once one could ride home in the bed of the other and the one crumpled in a ball COULD have a good title and the one with fender damage have a salvage one