72 Chevy pickup advice?

[Digs]

Hi I'm Steve, first time poster.

I was wondering if I may find some help here..
I recently came across a1972 Chevy pickup (for sale by owner), that I really like and am considering. Motor is a 350, 3spd transmission. I haven't looked at the motor yet. I've been looking for a project, preferably a late 60s / early 70s Chevy, for quite a while. Something I won't need to put too much cash into, but still needs a little work and gives me an opportunity to make it my own. I've only ever owned air cooled VW's though in the past, and don't really know how to judge or put a value on this truck... Would a few of you guys care to give me your thoughts on this, and the price?

Thanks in advance... Asking price is $8900 OBO.
I'll post a couple pics..

[truckdude239]

looks clean

[67ctener]

Looks clean but pictures are VERY deceiving. Look it over good, these trucks can be very rusty. From the pic it seems a lot of off pieces went into it (mirrors, seats, cowl hood etc)
Either way you go I don't think someone can cruise a c10 down the road with a frown on there face

[BRL]

[QUOTE=Digs;6807503]Hi I'm Steve, first time poster...Would a few of you guys care to give me your thoughts on this, and the price?
QUOTE]

OH BOY!

I get to post my totally worthless opinion!

Let's see...

Paint looks decent...I like the rear view mirrors...the cowl hood thingy looks cool... interior seats appear unique and decent...looks like nice dual exhaust routing...not too crazy about the white wall tires on the Cragar wheels...bed wood could use a refinish...the steering wheel could use some kind of center cap...

Nine Grand sounds a bit steep to me for that one.

I do like air cooled bugs too though.

Welcome to the forum Digs!

[1972BlueC20]

I think that's a cool truck, but I think $8900 is too much for that particular truck. That's also just based off those pics, and doesn't take into account any possible mechanical issues ect.


I'm thinking $6-$7k max.

I paid $9k for my 72 and it's 90% original with 82k miles.

Make sure you look around online, craigslist ect and really see what's available before buying the first truck you come across. You don't want to end up with buyer's remorse.

Heres some pics of my 72 which was $9k for comparison.

[Chevyland]

Keep looking. Look at craigslist throughout in the south and the west Or eBay. It may be a decent price, but not a steal, and you don't know what is under the paint If there wasn't rust/rot before the paint, and you won't have to paint it and you are going to keep it black it may be ok. There are many other original trucks that may be better candidates for making your own for 1/2 that price. The key is buying a truck without issues where you can't see them

[Already Gone]

Welcome to the boards and as a footnote and its been done a lot on this site if you find a truck that is 800/1000 miles away from you, you can usually find someone on this site that lives near the truck and will go check it out for you. I too think 8999. is quite for the truck you are looking at.

[70cst]

Hey Digs ...

First of all to the forums and from Ohio.

that price seems a bit high.

I would want to take a close look for any rust issues such as the windshield area inside/outside. Also rocker panels.

Best of luck

[slowcpe]

Welcome fellow Hoosier. Nice truck but as others said, you can find nicer for that price.

[BIG ORANGE]

Welcome to the forum, that's nice in photos, however it could have some hiden secrets, I feel its way over priced, keep looking like the other members said....

[MARKDTN]

What others have said.

Fresh paint can hide a multitude of issues. Why go that far with all that nice paint and not put a steering wheel cap? Refinish the wood bed? Do something with the steering column? Etc. May be fine, but I would proceed carefully. Seems very overpriced.

[Ironangel]

I just bought a 72 C-10 LWB with a new wood bed, drove it 400 miles home. $2500 350/350tb...They're out there, keep lookin. A truck with new rockers and cab corners, paint, some non factory resto's and original running gear...$5K

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I think it is a bit high, but you are in the rust belt, and if the cab is truly rust free then I would feel OK at 8K or so.

[Digs]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I really appreciate it.

I was worried that $8900 was too much.. it 'looks' awful straight, but I haven't really inspected it yet. Talked to the owners last night and am going to go take a look at it tomorrow evening. Depending on what I see, I thought I may offer 5k, but I don't want to insult anyone and almost feel bad doing that... that's almost 4k less than the asking price!

Personally I think the interior is hideous. I'd like to put a bench seat back in it. I'm thinking black with red carpet, black dash, red steering wheel.. See I'm already thinking about what I want to do to the damn thing and I haven't even made an offer yet!

72Blue: Your truck is awesome. That was a great deal.

I guess I'll keep looking..

TwoFifty: You're right, I AM in the rust belt. I'm afraid to look under this thing.

Anywhere I should look in particular for rust thats hiding? Which parts of these trucks are notoriously bad for rusting out?

[PanelDeland]

The rocker,lower fenders behind the front wheels,and bottoms of doors would be the first places to check.Take a flashlight,refrigerator magnet (one of the vynal types) and a pair of coveralls or wear old clothes so you can crawl around under it.A clean refrigerator magnet will stick to metal but not Bondo and wont mark up the paint.

[Tinkermc]

Welcome to the forum and I bet you know by now about the price.

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by Digs

Thanks everyone for the replies, I really appreciate it.

I was worried that $8900 was too much.. it 'looks' awful straight, but I haven't really inspected it yet. Talked to the owners last night and am going to go take a look at it tomorrow evening. Depending on what I see, I thought I may offer 5k, but I don't want to insult anyone and almost feel bad doing that... that's almost 4k less than the asking price!

First, Welcome to the forum! As you have probably already figured out, you're among friends here.

My dad always told me to never deny a man the opportunity to take less money. I wouldn't be worried in the least about insulting anybody. All he can do is say no. And if he gets upset and starts acting like a jerk, then you probably don't want to deal with him anyway.

Regarding rust, crawl under the truck and look at the floor of the cab, rocker panels, cowl. Check the bottom of the doors and fenders. Look for any bubbles in the paint. That's likely a rust spot that's been repaired and is showing it's ugly face again.

Good luck.

[Digs]

Thanks again everyone for your responses. Thought I'd post an update..

I went yesterday to look at it again and talk to the owner. It runs great, has no bondo in it anywhere, (metal was replaced in spots), and has front and rear disc brakes. He said the master cylinder needs replaced because of a problem getting fluid to the rear brakes.

He said the absolute lowest he would go is $8500, and that he has 15k in the truck. I didn't drive it, but the interior really is shot.. and I noticed it was running with no key in the ignition, so that's shot too. All electrical works.

I guess I should just wait and see if the price comes down at all? I told him I was looking at a couple trucks online in the 6500 range, which I've seen, but that isn't entirely true. Still have no idea what I should do here. Keep looking?

[BRL]

Originally Posted by Digs

Thanks everyone for the replies, I really appreciate it.

I was worried that $8900 was too much...So's $8500 IMHO

Personally I think the interior is hideous...another good reason to look elsewhere.

I guess I'll keep lookin...Think I would too.

Originally Posted by Digs

Thanks again everyone for your responses. Thought I'd post an update..

...has front and rear disc brakes... be nice if they worked He said the master cylinder needs replaced because of a problem getting fluid to the rear brakes...I'm thinking that the master cylinder is wrong or not properly set up for those brakes.

He said the absolute lowest he would go is $8500...but the interior really is shot.. and I noticed it was running with no key in the ignition, so that's shot too....hmmm.

...Still have no idea what I should do here. Keep looking?...

$8500?...I would keep looking.

My $.02...YMMV...etc.

[JointTech]

sounds steep to me. Looks to be in the 6000 range. Especially if you already have plans to do a few grand in interior work. But I dont doubt for a second he has 15k in it. Thats the problem with restorations that dont happen on TV. Never worth what you have in them.

[JasonLS1]

keep looking you'll find the right one. Id pass on this and move on

[FirstOwner69]

I don't know what he told you about the engine, but it appears to have the valve cover bolts in the center which would indicate a newer (1986 and up) engine unless he installed a kit to allow use of those valve covers. Does that matter to you? Does it have a SPID inside the glove box door which lists the options?

I agree that it's overpriced.

[slowcpe]

Does look like a nice truck but a long bed that still needs work, especially full interior, $8500 is too high. If you really want it, let him sit on it for a while. It'll still be there.

Heck for $2000 more I saw a nice, freshly painted hugger orange '71/72 short bed With a 454 for sale over the weekend. Truck looked pretty nice.