55.2-59 1953 GMC Hydramatic question

[jkwidener]

I would like some opinions. 1953 Gmc 3100 with the hydramatic transmission option. I believe this thing is better off as a parts truck for someone wanting to do a automatic conversion to their 53. Would I be better off removing all the hydramatic parts and offering it that way for sale or the complete truck? I believe the only thing different on the cab is the toe board? Truck is missing the seat, bumpers, tailgate, grill and running boards as well.. I will post more photos in the comment section

[jkwidener]

More photos

[jkwidener]

Last photo

[JDarby]

Ruff Ruff Ruff, that truck is Ruff brother!

Personally I would offer up the Hydramatic parts and see if you get any bites.

[jwhotrod]

that cast iron hydromatic is the basis of the B&M Hydro that was made famous by drag racers. it is a strong trans it should be worth some money.

[mr48chev]

I don't see it as a restorable or rebuildable truck from where I sit but I have four cabs that while not perfect are far better than that one.

Personally, I'd offer it up as a complete unit rather than part it out but then rust belt guys are different than the guys that Nvrdone and I are around.

I can offer nonsense advice all day long but the truth is actually in how you want to deal with it and how long you are willing to fool with it. There might be more money made by selling it a piece at a time bring your own sawzall or wrenches but do you want to deal with that or just sell it as a legit Hydromatic donor for an honest price and showing up trailer in tow makes the bargaining more favorable to them. I'll be honest, if a guy rolls into my yard to buy something I have advertised with his trailer in tow, he is going to leave with that unit. I may not get the money I was asking but I am done with it.

[1project2many]

The truck is pretty rough for sure. Hydramatic is neat but it's not a popular transmission. In my mind it's a tough truck to sell.

If you're trying to make sure someone gets the transmission due to it being uncommon, you might want to try a group like AACA, where folks are into building more original trucks.

[greg_h]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I don't see it as a restorable or rebuildable truck from where I sit but I have four cabs that while not perfect are far better than that one.

Personally, I'd offer it up as a complete unit rather than part it out but then rust belt guys are different than the guys that Nvrdone and I are around.

I can offer nonsense advice all day long but the truth is actually in how you want to deal with it and how long you are willing to fool with it. There might be more money made by selling it a piece at a time bring your own sawzall or wrenches but do you want to deal with that or just sell it as a legit Hydromatic donor for an honest price and showing up trailer in tow makes the bargaining more favorable to them. I'll be honest, if a guy rolls into my yard to buy something I have advertised with his trailer in tow, he is going to leave with that unit. I may not get the money I was asking but I am done with it.

Agreed. There is much more to the H-M conversion than you think. Frame has (at least on 54 Chev) different crossmembers to hold heavier transmission and to unbolt rather than be riveted to frame. linkage, starter, column, master cylinder and brake line routing...it just seems better as a "one stop shopping" conversion piece than just piece at a time and hope you got all you needed adventure.

[dsraven]

now THAT is a patina truck. lol.
see it as a whole so the buyer gets everything needed for the trans conversion.
just my opinion

[mr48chev]

The more I think about it the more I have to believe that offering it as a 53 Hydromantic donor that as far as you know has all the correct parts for the swap is the best approach.

Someone might want the 5 window roof from below the belt line up but I'm not sure that I would cut it off before selling the truck as a unit. The frame has no value except for the hydromantic pieces with the broken frame rail and all that rust makes it look like a truck I bought back in the 70s that the frame broke when we pulled it on the trailer becuse the guy who had owned it for over 20 years used it to store and haul fertilizer in and it only moved out of it's spot to haul fertalizer out to where he loaded it in the spreader.

[jkwidener]

Deleted. See next post for the reason why.

[Rickysnickers]

Ok, for the record there are no "what is worth" questions. Sorry, but your question has been deleted.

[mr48chev]

I have no idea of what to sell it for but on that truck 90% of it's value is what someone is willing to pay for the Hydromantic components. I'd figure out what I absolutely had to have and then add enough to be able to bargain to somewhere in the middle.

With no door post tag and probably no title you lost value there as on a truck like that that has a clear title and the part that has the matching serial number be it engine block or door post tag the title and serial number can be worth more than the value of the hulk it's self. A guy just loads the old engine up in the back of his tow rig when he takes the truck for inspection and tells the inspector "there is the old engine it came with that has the serial number / vin number on it and I am going to need to have an engine change notation on the title. Still one knows that he/she has a legit title because they cut the hulk up and hauled it for scrap, or sold it a piece at a time,

You won't get rich and around this area if someone offered me 500 for it just to get the conversion parts for their "my wife wants an automatic" restored GMC it would be gone. If they just want the parts and don't want the whole truck there is no bargaining as you then have the hassle of getting rid of the rest of the hulk Still cash green money and a tow rig with a trailer attached clearly in your view behind the buyer is a strong barganing tool. The guy who pulls into my yard ready to haul off what he is after has a lot more bargaining power than the guy who shows up in his car with wife and kids and you know that after he pays for it you still have it sitting there for who knows how long.

[jkwidener]

I do have the door tag and title for the truck in my safe, and title is clear and in my name. It was in storage for 17yrs so i took the door tag off and put it in the safe with the title.

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I have no idea of what to sell it for but on that truck 90% of it's value is what someone is willing to pay for the Hydromantic components. I'd figure out what I absolutely had to have and then add enough to be able to bargain to somewhere in the middle.

With no door post tag and probably no title you lost value there as on a truck like that that has a clear title and the part that has the matching serial number be it engine block or door post tag the title and serial number can be worth more than the value of the hulk it's self. A guy just loads the old engine up in the back of his tow rig when he takes the truck for inspection and tells the inspector "there is the old engine it came with that has the serial number / vin number on it and I am going to need to have an engine change notation on the title. Still one knows that he/she has a legit title because they cut the hulk up and hauled it for scrap, or sold it a piece at a time,

You won't get rich and around this area if someone offered me 500 for it just to get the conversion parts for their "my wife wants an automatic" restored GMC it would be gone. If they just want the parts and don't want the whole truck there is no bargaining as you then have the hassle of getting rid of the rest of the hulk Still cash green money and a tow rig with a trailer attached clearly in your view behind the buyer is a strong barganing tool. The guy who pulls into my yard ready to haul off what he is after has a lot more bargaining power than the guy who shows up in his car with wife and kids and you know that after he pays for it you still have it sitting there for who knows how long.