Frame swap decrease value?

[stope4]

Being that I am a 71 BB 1/2 ton sb truck owner and a 68 BB camaro owner, I would say that the numbers on the frame would matter to someone looking for all original numbers matching vehicle. The camaro frame is not stamped so swaping this on a camaro is nothing. The camaro body is stamped so swapping that would be a big deal. When I purchased my Camaro, I just got lucky with most everything matching. When I purchased my truck, I used what I learned from numbers stuff on the Camaro and made damn sure everything matched. I wanted numbers matching, Period; and, I was willing to pay more to get it. In my mind, numbers matching mostly original vehicles appeal to me more that the super duper fancied up vehicles. Don't get me wrong, I think the super duper fancied up vehicles are way cool and super nice but I wouldn't own one. With that being said, I'm not sure the numbers make a difference on the pickups but, at the same time, I do not believe I'm alone when I said I was willing to pay more to get a truck where the numbers matched.

I agree with all who said to have the frame straightened. If it can't be straightened, I would swap it out but keep the bent frame that way when you sell the vehicle you could give the new owner the numbers matching frame.

[Jim_PA]

If you care about the potential future value of the truck, keep the original frame.

Cutting it down to a short bed would also decrease the value.

[75gmc454]

Thanks guys. I respect all of your ideas with the question.

I am a numbers man myself and I want everything to match, that is what worried me. This truck is still too appealing for me to pass on.

The truck has not been wrecked. It looks like the frame was twisted someway. The bed was sitting slanted sideways and not lined up with the cab. I don't know if someone tried to pull a very heavy trailer or tried to load something very heavy into the bed. It could probably be straightened, because the original frame comes with the truck. The frame did not look too bad to me.

I figured the frame would possibly decrease the value, but I would not sell the truck anyway. I just wanted an original first year big block to take to shows and have fun with. This is the only 68 I have ever seen around where I live. The trucks here in the south have had hard lives, and it is hard to find any good truck to restore that has not been damaged in some way.

I also know where a 69 cst swb half ton 396 with buckets and a/c is, but the guy will not sell the truck. He is the original owner and the truck has been sitting in his shop for 20 years. It is numbers matching for sure, and I am going to keep bothering him until he sells it!

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by 75gmc454

I also know where a 69 cst swb half ton 396 with buckets and a/c is, but the guy will not sell the truck. He is the original owner and the truck has been sitting in his shop for 20 years. It is numbers matching for sure, and I am going to keep bothering him until he sells it!

Excellent -- way too many garage queens out there -- my opinion is trucks were made to be used and have fun with ---- save the garage space for the musclecars and corvettes

[special-K]

True,but at least they`re preserved for later barn find.

[afoshie]

this is a touchy subject. The camaros and the vetts mustangs ect. will bring close to double for a perfect restoration numbers matching vehicle. I would think of what you are going to do with the truck if you will keep it then it wouldnt matter. if you plan to sell then the numbers matching all around would be the option. just watch the car auctions and see the difference

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by afoshie

.. just watch the car auctions and see the difference

Yes, please do. Maybe then we would have some informed input.