1957 Chevrolet 4X4

[jlasko57]

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this?
I found this 1957 Chevy and I have a chance to buy it. I was wondering what you guys think its worth? I know the guy who built it and it was built with Quality! He ran into some financial problems and sold it before he was done. the guy he sold it to still has it. The truck was built 16 or so years ago and has been sitting since 2002. It almost looks the same as it did the first time I saw it back in the late 90's. It is a stock frame with early 80's 1/2 ton 4x4 powertrain transplanted. It has a big block 402 (396 .030" over).
The guy told me to make him an offer and I don't want to insult him or over pay! let me know what you guys think and I will try and get more info!

[capnduane]

I can't help you with the price, but, that is one nice truck. Its been setting for 12 years, so going to need all systems gone thru, (labor of love!) Good luck!

[jlasko57]

Yeah it needs a little bit of work, but it is still in really good shape! The guy who built it rebuilt or replaced everything, so it was pretty much brand new when he sold it. It only has something like 5000 miles on it, since it was built. the current owner works in the oil field and is rarely home and when he is, he has too much to do. It had that good old Holley throttle body fuel injection on it when it was built. The current owner didn't understand it so one weekend he and a buddy decided to remove it and install a carb. they cut a couple of the wrong wires and it wouldn't start. It sat since then.
I talked to the guy that built it, last night and he said he looked at it in 2003 and all it needed then was a little wiring and it would be fine. I really would like to buy it, but just don't know what it would be worth. The guy that built it said he was offered fist dibs and the current owner was willing to let him have it for $13,000.00
Any advise would be appreciated !

[capnduane]

OK, talked to a couple of friends about the truck you are looking at. One is a dealer and buys and sells old trucks and cars here in Calif. First off, truck seems a nice one. However, it has set for 12 years. It does not run, so no way to know if systems are correct or not. You can not check tranny, 4x4, ignition, rear end, brakes,electrical, etc,etc. It is not an original 4x4, so has no collector value. If you want it for a working 4x4 vehicle for serious hunting, fishing expeditions, you would probably be better served with a used Toyota. It is worth no more than a sum of its parts. just my 3 cents!

[G&R's57GMC]

Hmmm. Not running, sitting in the weeds for 12 years, hmmm.

I'm amazed the paint and chrome look so good. But what about the bed wood ?

Also you'll have your hands full getting it ready for the road. Electrical, Battery, brakes, fuel system, cooling system, then all the service items.

If your lucky the engine won't have any internal rust on the valves and cylinder walls.

All that said , $8k to $12k would be my guess depending on what you find on close inspection.

[topdown99]

FYIW - I paid 4500 for my running and driving (technically I drove it home) 57 short-narrow 3100 with a solid floor but rust in the corners and a hole in the roof .... most of that pickup looks pretty decent, but not running could mean anything.

[jlasko57]

Got a little more info in the truck.
When I first looked at the truck and took the pictures, the owner wasn't home and his wife showed it to me. I talked to him for a bit, but he had bad cell service and I wasn't able to ask him too much. I knew the truck very well when it was getting built and just before it was sold to the current owner. So I know hat was put into it and the amount of quality. The owner will be home in a week, so I will be able to check it right out then.
I was able to talk to another guy that I know and is also friends with the owner. He was able to tell me more about why its sitting. He said it does run and runs good. The problem is that when the owner and his buddy removed the fuel injection and installed a carb, they cut too many wires. So the truck does not charge and some of the gauges are not working. I guess the guy that owns it now is not mechanically inclined at all. It has been parked inside until the last year. He brought it out with intentions of getting it fixed and got sidetracked again. that's why he decided he will sell it now. So he has run it now and again over the last 12 years. Sounds like it is in need of a rewiring and a good tune up that is about it.

[capnduane]

That sounds a little more incouraging, and why the truck looks in such good shape. I would feel alot better if I could drive the truck, at least a little bit to check it out.