What to look for in purchasing a 1932-1940 Chevy truck?

[ahsom79vette]

Hello Everyone,
I've been a member for quite a while, and have owned many Chevrolets. However, I've never had anything older than my 1971 Chevrolet Longhorn c20.

Currently I am in the market for a 1932-1940 Chevrolet Pickup. I am looking for a truck to restore and mildly modify. I feel however I "lack" some knowledge of this generation of trucks.

If you guys could help me by giving me pointers in what to look for in purchasing a truck approaching 80 years old! Such as no "vin" # on these older trucks, what does this mean I should look for?

*Also, I know a guy selling his 1937 and it's in fairly good shape. It ran about 8 years ago. It's a 1.5 ton, with very minimal rust and complete.

What should I expect to pay for these trucks? I know online they seem fairly hard to come by in decent shape, and cleaned up, running & mildly restored seem to bring $12,000+. What would be a "good" deal for something not running and needing some TLC (not a pile)?

Thanks in advance!

[ahsom79vette]

Anyone???

[tranzamwayno]

hi, as far as value i would suggest taking a look at the money/ time it will take to get the truck to where you want it. then see if what you have planned equals out to anything you see for sale or has sold, and do some quick math to figure starting price and see if your in the ballpark.

i paid $4500 for a great cab with doors, glass and front end with grill with matching title. no frame or bed. he was asking 5k and had 20 calls in the first day. he planned to show over the weekend but i was less than 20 minutes away so he let me come over. i got lucky . i may have paid a little much but what i see in my area complete non running rust buckets go for 2000-4000 and with the amount of time to repair rust its was a no brainer for me.

i think i may buy a new bed from mar-k as they have a great price and offer free shipping and i wont have to deal with a used bed having rust or bodywork issues, which most used beds will have.

[Flthead]

'37's I think are the best looking . I'm building a street rod '37. Most fenders have stress cracks in wheel opening area. Big truck fenders are different than 1/2 tons. Make sure windshield crack out is not cracked or broken ears on mounting points. These years have a lot of replacement parts now available. Good luck on your search

[ahsom79vette]

Thank you guys for writing me back. I am planning to look at the '37 tomorrow. You have good advice.

[truckeez]

Hi around the east edge of Tex--afornia, Ft worth is where the southwest begins.
Pate swap meet is the biggest swapmeet in the southwest,,90 acres but for the last few yrs 30's gm truck stuff has dwindled to virtually nothing, last yr there was 1 37 GMC hood and ine front and one unusable rear fender,, this yr, 1 driver side door for a 36-8.
Everywhere else you looked, the place is litterd as usual with 30's ford stuff--whatever you want, new, used, whatever.
If you like the fenderless rod pickups, 34-6 chevy are the ideal ones, (and you dont have to spend 6 yrs trying to find usable fenders/runningboards)
37-8 --gotta have fenders to look right.

The 34-6 stock frame already has the centerline of the front wheels set perfect for a 34-ford inspired fenderless pickup ~ with the front edge of the tires even with the grill shell--and the shape of the hood sides is also perfect (very 33-4 ford like).
if you cant find a 34-6 frame the best starting point for a fenderless rod pickup ide say is a 35-47 ford car frame, strong, lightweight, and the same dropdown style like the 33-4 ford coupe frame.

The most beautiful 30's pickup made was the 37 GMC -hand down. but i like all gms from 34-8 with the scimtar -> sword beltline styled lines.
The gmc's a good bit heavier than a chevy though stock, the grill /shell and bumpers, overload springs etc.

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[ahsom79vette]

Hey thanks,
The '37 I looked at ended up being too much work for me. Nice truck however.
I am just trying to find something local that is in good enough shape for my skill level.

[truckeez]

I should have said, if you cant find a complete truck, and want to do a fenderless rod.... any 34-8 style cab can do.
But there are things to think about with the two different style cabs.
The 34-early 36 cab is a slightly flatter looking top with a visor on the front.
more importantly the entire inner structure is wood framing and thats why they did not survive near as much--all the many cab pieces are screwed into the wood. everyone who does these end up making a tube steel frame like in the H.A.M.B. thread "34 chevy-keep on truckin".
The most popular fenderless ones are late 36-8 chopped cabs, usually around 3 1/2 , or 3 in front and 3 1/2 in back, They almost always run the 34-6 grill shell and 4 piece hood. I like the opposite look of taking the extra 1/2" out of the back instead.
(A 37-8 longbed ~with fenders~ pickup looks fantastic with a 3.5 top chop).
i got some crappy pics here of some of my heaps - and from my files

[truckeez]

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[truckeez]

Originally Posted by truckeez

Edited by Forum Staff
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If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Admin for help.

If only the Admin would bother to REPLY when i inquired.