Question re 72' C10 402 c.i. BB and Manual Transmission

I have a friend who has a 72' C20 Custom Deluxe long bed with a 402 and a 4 speed tranny. Spid checks out as does factory build sheet--all original truck purchased from original owner. Pretty cool truck in that it has zero (and I mean zero) rust even for a CA truck. Anyway, was doing research for him regarding value and I can't find any comps--did not that many people order a BB with a manual trany or did folks just replace either the engine or tranny? Thanks in advance. Martin

[68bowtie]

Probably a bit less “desirable” than an equivalent auto truck, which probably translates into slightly less “value”. That’s all generalizations though. It does seem like by 1972 most people were going after the comfort and convenience options making a manual less common by then. My $.02...

[special-K]

I'd thi9nk it wouldn't matter unless the buyer was looking for all original to keep all original. That is what is rare. Why7 should it matter when many are willing to pay top money for a truck to rip the engine and trans out to swap an LS with electronic overdrive trans? This truck is better equipped for a T5 swap than a factory automatic. The fact is it's easier to go from manual to automatic than it is to go automatic to manual. I say ignore the transmission and look at the other comps

Great advice from two of the gurus on this forum. I am in the original camp but I am crazy about that kind of stuff--glad the wife puts up with the insanity but hey, I love my truck and my friend with the C10 loves his.

[special-K]

It's like real estate. Realtors are about shoehorning every property into a comparable category when some places are unique. I live in an 1857 hand-hewn chestnut log home built by a freed slave. I have a small lot, but it is landscaped to the max, no homes across road for a long way, on my right is up the hill and back so it's open ground, and on my right is neighbor back behind me's lane, meadow with stream, then house out of gun shot range (though that has never been tested ). No central heat, just oil filled electric baseboard and woodstove. I have been here 33 years and love it to death. So much character it feels like an old friend. I can't see comparing it soley on lot size/ square footage/number of baths or bedrooms. It's not for most people, but someone will love it as I do and will be willing to pay more than for one that compares on standards. The fact is, it will still be at the more affordable range and beat the tar out of any townhouse or small house on a small lot.

Point being, some 'prefer' a truck 4spd in a classic truck. For some it is about driving like and the feel of back in the day. Others want an old truck as much like a new as possible. Something about that slow and crude shifting feels good to me. You don't go buy a 3/4t truck close to 50 years old for an urban commuter... unless you are fine doing it as they did in 1972. I have the complete 4spd change-over for my fairly well optioned '72 K2500 Sierra in case I decide to go that route (or put something else together). One of each is always the best solution

[4X4GMC1972]

It is definitely a unicorn. Wish I could find one.