Salvage Title

[Vandals909]

Got a truck (c10) I'm looking to purchase what should I be looking for? The body looks to be in great shape. Truck has a salvage title is this something you guys would be worried about?

[69 longhorn]

With a truck in the 67-72 range, it doesnt take much damage to get a salvage title. I would worry most about any frame damage, that wasnt repaired properly. You can look at tire wear......check for anything grossly off on the front end, or another cheap check, follow the truck & watch how it "tracks". If in doubt, you can take her into a good frame & alignment shop, spend a few bucks, & see how she measuers out. Bset of luck,crazyAL

[Vandals909]

How many of you have salvage titled trucks. Do you have a hard time getting your insurance company to give you collision coverage?

[cdowns]

check with your DMV on what you are required to do and prove as well as inspections required to pass in order to put that truck on the road

good idea to find that info prior to spending any money

[cparman]

I agree with CDOWNS, check with dmv first

[Vandals909]

truck has current registration. Also body looks perfect on it.

[John Fabris]

Your truck is fine. the fact that is is registered shows that prev owner has already had all of the proper inspections done in regards to putting a junked truck back on the road, hence the salvage title.

When you buy a truck that has been junked, and you try to re-register it, DMV will require it to have a new wieght certificate, a lights inspection, and a brake inspection. Pass all of those, DWM issues a new title that is a salvage title.
Note, I had to do all of this with my 67.

[Vandals909]

Think so? Here is a link to photos of the truck. Again only thing scaring me is the salvage title. Also noticed truck has rear leafs was this standard on GMC's?

http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn282/rwilhi/Truck/

[69 longhorn]

Judging by the pics, it took a light hit on the left front. It looks like the only sheet metal that was replaced was the fender. If it drives good, I dont think I would be worryed about it(looks like a good project). As far as ins coverage, if it says "prior salvage" on the title, you shouldnt have any trouble insuring it(going by Ill state laws). Have fun,crazyAL

[Vandals909]

Called my insurance they will provide collision coverage after an inspection is completed. I do know it effects the value when you go to sell it. From my understanding there is no way to get the "Salvage" removed from the title.

[Vandals909]

So you guys wouldnt think twice about buying a salvage title truck if everything looked good?

[OhOneWS6]

How much is the truck? Personally, If i was going to invest time and money in fixing something I would want a clean title. It will affect the value when you go to sell it.

[Vandals909]

Thats what I'm worried about $2,500 for the truck.

[OhOneWS6]

What are your plans for it? Either way I think I'd look for another truck. You will spend thousands of dollars restoring it and you still have a truck with a salvage title or you spend the minimal just making it a reliable driver and you still have several thousand in a truck with a salvage title. Just my .02

I've seen trucks for that amount in similar condition but with a clear title. Different part of the country though.

[mcbassin]

I would stay away from the salvage title unless I had a donor cab and chassis already.

[69 longhorn]

If you plan to dump several tho into a resto, I would steer clear also. Myself, as a good driver, without too much cash into it....I wouldnt be worried about the title. One thing to watch,as its different from state to state, is that the truck WAS inspected after said rebuild. In Ill, I was told that I can purchase my own wrecked vehicle back from the ins company as salvage & repair it myself to drive. The title does not show salvage untill I sell it, but at that time it needs to be disclosed that it was a total, & will come back as a salvage title. If I purchase a car with a "branded title" ,I want to see "prior salvage" on the title. This tells me it was already inspected, & there will not be any problems plating it. This is different from state to state, so you might make a few calls to be sure how it works on your end of the country. Best of luck,crazyAL

[tap500]

If you are going to do a total resto and not looking to sell the salvage title shouldn't be a problem. If you may sell it someday that is another story. A buyer may be scared off or wrried just as you are. If you are going to do a resto and can get numbers off of another junk cab that you can get a title for, that would be a good option. Another option is to use the salavage title as a bargaining chip to reduce the price you pay for the truck.

If there are equaly as good trucks out there for the same money go that way. Any buyer will have the same questions you do.

[Wilson_]

Did they say how it got the salvage title?

[OhOneWS6]

Originally Posted by tap500

If you are going to do a resto and can get numbers off of another junk cab that you can get a title for, that would be a good option.

Not sure about every state but here in TX that would be considered title washing and is highly illegal. Just ask Chip Foose, Carroll Shelby and the other guys involved in the Unique Performance bust.

[John Fabris]

so the fact that I brought a truck form a junkyard, rebuilt it, had it inspected, retitled with a salvage title, appraised at $36000.00 and had no problems getting full coverage and I live in California does not mean anything???

Salvage titles really only affect newer cars prices. With older cars, it is more common to see salvage titles and because those cars have been completely rebuild, it really does not affect the price.

As for removing a salvage title, the only way I know that you can get around it is to last reg expire with no non-opt and wait 7-10 years for that vehicle fall off DMV record, and then you will have to go through all of the CA (lights, weight, brake) inspection and the DMV will issue a new clean title... Each state is different, you need to check with your own DMV. You are in CA, listen to the CA guys....

The truck you are looking at, the fact that is already has a salvage title means it has already been inspected and is road legal......

[69 longhorn]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Thats what I'm worried about $2,500 for the truck.

In my "neck of the rust belt" ,that truck is probably worth the askin price FOR PARTS! (yikes) check the bottom, if the cab supports/pans are as solid as the top sides of the rockers(as well as the rest of the truck)....its hard to tell from pics? , but it looks like a toy I would be happy to play with crazyAL

[lax54650]

i would be more concerned buying a truck that was originally a long box shortened than a truck that is branded "salvage repaired" here in wi. i have rebuilt a few salvage cars you need to keep photos of previus damage and have vehicle inspected by "specially trained officer" they are thorough! like said earlier it only really affects newer cars values. if you can buy an unmolested (poorly repaired rust) clean truck with salvage title for the same price as molested, clean title i would take the branded truck every day.
i have seen newer vehicles repaired that had no salvage brand that i would not own! find out what damage there was. if no significant frame damage buy it.

[lax54650]

in wisconsin you can NEVER register a vehile that was "junked" only ones that were sold as " sdalvage meaning cost to repair exceeds 70% of rair value. fair value on these trucks can run fro $200 to $10,000 at 70% it would not take much to get branded.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Thats what I'm worried about $2,500 for the truck.

You can find something a little nicer here for that price, without a salvage title. You are in the 909....best place in so cal to find one of these trucks. I'd keep looking.

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by John Fabris

As for removing a salvage title, the only way I know that you can get around it is to last reg expire with no non-opt and wait 7-10 years for that vehicle fall off DMV record

That's not what I was told at DMV here in oroville when I registered my truck last year. My truck was parked in 99 and it wasn't non-opped so I figured by the time I got around to registering it last year I wouldn't have to pay all the back fees because it would have fallen off of their records. wrong! they said that since they went to computer they have all records back to somewhere around 1995. So all of the fees and back registration was like $1800, I singed a statement that it was parked on private property the whole time and they dropped all of the penalties, so then I only had to pay $436 .