Value of 83' K30

[1967k30]

First off,I'm not selling it. I'm looking to buy it. Anyway,it's an 83' K30 SRW
4x4 454/400/205 with 11K Origonal Documented miles . I know what these are worth parts wise but what's a really nice one worth? Thanks

[84 400]

wow sounds like one heck of a truck! hard to say with out pics though Also if it is local to your area it is again hard for me to tell you. what i would do is surf the net and check ebay and see what similar trucks are selling for.

[KMK454]

First off, what is the asking price?

I just bought a 78 C10 Silverado, 17900 original miles, all original. Did a ton of market research on it first...

I found that book value says around 7k for my truck, but it has no mileage factor at all. The same book also says classic GTOs, etc., are worth less than 10k.

So a standard "book" test isn't worthwhile. There are classic car books (gold book or something like that, I forget its name but I used it). This will tell you some more.

I found a "show-ready" example of my truck would go for anywhere from 9 - 12k. This means a restored, concourse ready vehicle. Also, original low-mileage, unrestored, or rare option groups would add value to this.

As you can see, things are getting very gray...

My truck was advertised at 16k. I worked the price down to 12k by waiting it out over several months and finally making offer after offer. I'm not sure if this is a "good" price or not, but I met a guy at a gas station who seriously offered me 13k for the truck just 1 week after I bought it, so I don't feel bad about what I paid for a time-capsule driver of a truck. Also, I bet if the dealer I bought from wanted to wait, they could eventually sell it for that 16k. It's just a matter of finding the right buyer.

I also checked some auctions online and found similar trucks going for anything from 8 to 20k.

Your truck in question is a 1983 K30 with a 454. The heavy-duty K30 aspect, to include 4x4, will surely add value and appeal. The 454 option is a rare and desirable one. Most people tend to prefer the short wheelbase models, though, with "work trucks" bringing in fewer dollars. Also, 1983 is, in many states, a year that still requires emissions testing, etc.

If you could post more information about the options, condition, and maybe some pictures, we could help a little more.

If I were you I wouldn't pay more than 15k for it... but I don't know enough about this truck to say that for sure! Here's my advice:

Research that specific year of Chevy truck. Research auctions for similar trucks online. Research Classic Car Value books. Research KBB value. Inspect and analyze the truck thoroughly so you know what you're getting into. Finally, ask yourself what your goals are regarding this purchase, and then see if the truck meets those goals. Then set a maximum price you will pay for the truck and set your "preferred" price for the truck. Wait it out as long as possible and prevent emotional attachment to the vehicle... be willing to walk away and hope for good luck!

Don't get frustrated in your research: information on old truck values is hard to find, but with some patience and google, it can be done.

Who is the seller? A classic car vendor? Or some farmer emptying the barn? They may or may not know what they have here.

Edit:

Also keep in mind, while 11k original miles is great, it can easily mean nothing. Check the following:

Paint: is it original or a repaint? If original, how bad is it? If a repaint, is it documented, the same color, and a quality job?
Body: is it rusting? Accidents? A car this old will be hard to find records of accidents. Look for clues such as general panel alignment (factory alignment was pretty crap back then though), unusual welding, "new" screws or bolts, etc.
Suspension/Motor: are these parts all original? If so, have they been maintained, or will you need to do a full overhaul to get this thing running? If not original, are these items rebuilt, replaced, or modified? Are the replacements stock pieces or different?
Interior: is the interior original and in good condition? Does the AC/Heat/Radio/Gauges work? If things aren't original, were the replacements factory correct?
Options: is the color combo desirable or rare? Is the drivetrain desirable or rare? Are the interior options desirable or rare?

All of this seems like mundane, common sense-type stuff, but there is a LOT to consider when buying a classic low-mileage vehicle like this. Each of these factors could swing the price up or down by a thousand bucks or so!

[84 400]

Well put^^^
IT also really does depend on the condition and the owner. My first truck had only 49k and it was a 77 dodge. It however was ex military and wx NPS. So while the miles were low it was hard earned millage. Keep in mind if it has been sitting the drive train will need some work. As great as low miles are they can cause big problems.

As for emotional.... well good luck. Every car/truck i have had emtional attachment too and passed on i have regretted to this day. only 3 though. (running driving unrestored but un rotted and road worthey 1929 Model A coupe, 1956 Olds super 88 original owner all documented un restored with 48k, and the worste one to date 1956 Willys Pick up un restored un rotted no rust with 20,000 ended up selling at auction for 1500 more then the guy would sell it to me for. )

Good luck

[ElGracho]

Originally Posted by KMK454

...
Your truck in question is a 1983 K30 with a 454. The heavy-duty K30 aspect, to include 4x4, will surely add value and appeal. The 454 option is a rare and desirable one. Most people tend to prefer the short wheelbase models, though, with "work trucks" bringing in fewer dollars. Also, 1983 is, in many states, a year that still requires emissions testing, etc.

...

I pretty much agree with everything KMK454 said. The truck is worth what you want to pay for it. If you really want it, these trucks with original low mileage are getting harder and harder to find. You might not get this chance again.

As far as the paragraph I quoted, I have a few comments.
1. The 454 isn't rare in a K30. Many one tons came with them.
2. Even though it would make a great work truck, SRW one ton drivetrains (Dana 60 front, NP 205 transfer case, 454, TH400, 14 bolt rear) are EXTREMELY desirable. They are certainly less common than 2wd or 4x4 SWB trucks. Low mileage makes this truck even more coveted.
3. This truck probably never has been emission tested. A 1 ton in 83 won't have cats. My 83 crew cab dually 1 ton doesn't now and never even had a charcoal canister. The emissions diagram on the rad support shows the vacuum advance on the distributor and the pcv valve. That's it.

Around here, depending on how nice the paint, body and interior are, that's probably a 7-12k truck. I've seen some really nice 4x4 1 tons go for 5k but not with that low of miles. The 6-10 mpg and 3 dollar a gallon gas have really driven down the prices for big block trucks.

[1967k30]

It has/had an ambulance type bed on it. Was a rescue unit. I assume a city vehicle. It has manuel windows,locks,ect. It's red and white. I'm waiting on pic's.

[84 400]

so it has no bed then??? Also if it was a city or ambulance then it is like my 77 powerwagon. Prob sat ideling ALOT and hard earned miles still sounds like a nice truck

[1967k30]

It still has the rescue box on it,but I have absolutely no use for it,so the owner is selling it seperately. He said it's a $5000 setup new. He wanted $7000 for the whole unit so I'm hoping he'll take $2000-$3000 less than that without the bed. I'll be using it like a truck if I buy it.