To buy or not to buy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

akl · 03-08-2007, 01:41 PM

I'm looking into buying a 70 Sierra Grande with the 402. Rust is minimal - just rockers and cab corners. Truck is complete and all chrome is in excellent shape. Asking price is $1500.

Is this a good buy? Does the fact that it's a Sierra Grande with 402 make it slightly more desirable or much more desirable? What would the truck be worth with a mild custom restoration?

I'm just wondering if I'll get my money back if I decide to flip it when it's done.

Thanks

jsbgump · 03-08-2007, 02:04 PM

Sounds like a good price

70rs/ss · 03-08-2007, 02:14 PM

Long beds are an iffy situation. If you do it right you'll never break even. If you're looking to flip for cash then buy a shortbed. If you like the truck $1500 sounds fair, but it's not Chevelle rare, cause it's just a truck.

bw4sale · 03-08-2007, 02:32 PM

You can make money on a longbed. I just did. You have to find the right deal though. Sounds like a decent deal, but would have to see pics to more accurately gauge it.

akl · 03-08-2007, 11:14 PM

I don't have any pictures of the truck. I'm not sure if I would flip it, just don't want to sink a lot of money into something I'll never get back.

RACINJASON22 · 03-08-2007, 11:21 PM

So many variables in that one. It's hard to say. Sounds like it would be very possible from your discription and price though. The problem isn't the value it finding the right buyer.

akl · 03-08-2007, 11:41 PM

What are buyers looking for? Stock, high performance, slammed?

dan42 · 03-09-2007, 02:09 AM

Dude, no offense, but if you don't want to sink money into something you'll never get back, it's probably not a good idea to buy an old truck. Do it because you want the truck, not because of what it's worth. It's one area in life where you're looking at the enjoyment factor - at least for me. Hope that helps.

low'n slow · 03-09-2007, 02:29 AM

Where is osler? Location will determine price. Minimal rust in NY is wrth a bunch more than minimal rust in AZ.

If you are buying to drive, it sounds good. If you are buying for investment, $1500 is too much.

73737373 · 03-09-2007, 10:41 AM

I'll buy original BB trucks all day long for $1500.

**special-K** · 03-09-2007, 11:10 AM

It`s a real good price.Bring that thing back east as it sits and get double,if not triple,for it.That said,I don`t really care for investors on these trucks,sorry.It`s investors that muck-up a good hobby for the common man.Go buy some stocks and let someone who will appreciate it buy it.I see guys by me with vehicles in their yard constantly.Whenever it`s been one of our trucks,it`s always stupid money and obvious he didn`t touch it.Anyone that buys from these guys are kinda dumb,late-model or the seldom classic.Just figure you`ll find one for what he paid for his,not from him where he`s just put his padding on it.That`s my take.
"Importing" a rustfree/minimal rust vehicle to the rustbelt is another story.You`ve provided a service.

67ChevyRedneck · 03-09-2007, 11:12 AM

I'd buy it. Go for it....

bobthecop · 03-09-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan42

Dude, no offense, but if you don't want to sink money into something you'll never get back, it's probably not a good idea to buy an old truck. Do it because you want the truck, not because of what it's worth. It's one area in life where you're looking at the enjoyment factor - at least for me. Hope that helps.

I agree, for me it's the satisfaction I get from building something for me to enjoy. I'll get my monies worth by driving my dream truck that I built. The investment, for me is personal, no one could ever pay enough for what I have in the truck, and it's not just money. It's a labor of love for me. You'd have to figure all the hours on this board deciding what to do, how to do it, hours of shopping, hours of dreaming. And the hours of actually building my dream truck. An original BB, I'd buy it.

Blue85 · 03-09-2007, 12:34 PM

Osler, Saskatchewan? If u don't buy it let me know, i need a 402 for my 70 3/4ton

HeavyD · 03-09-2007, 01:59 PM

Cosidering what a pain it is to hunt after all those brackets, the p.s. setup, etc.. I don't think $1500 is too much, especially if you are from Saskatchewan. I hardly ever see BB anything anymore, so grab it or let Blue85 have a shot. As far as selling it for profit, the old car trader has many vehicles in there with retarded prices, but do people actually pay that much? Restoring old vehicles is always a gamble financially, that's why I do it just for fun.

70GMCer · 03-09-2007, 02:29 PM

Those big block trucks are hard to come by back east.......

**Zoomad75** · 03-09-2007, 07:02 PM

I'm with special-k on this one. Buying old iron for an investment is the wrong thing to do. Buying a mint yenko camaro for an investment is one thing, but buying a $1500 truck for an investment is downright crazy.

The iron is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. Buying at $1500 and expecting to sell it later for more with little to no improvement is wishful thinking. Buy it because you want it to build.

Nobody short of the pro-builders actually makes money on building any old vehicle. Some might break even, but most when you factor in what your labor cost is don't.

kxnomore · 03-10-2007, 11:29 PM

I agree too. It's a labor of love, or a losing investment. I made the mistake of buying a car for parts, and then wasn't able to part it out. It was an original big block too, rust free, and drove too nice. Then I cleaned it up, put in new interior, gave it a quality tune up, new grill, bumpers, etc.

Can't sell it to save my life. Should have took the engine and junked it- my original plan.

Sometimes your heart gets in the way of sound business.

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2007, 12:21 AM

a few important things have not been mentioned... is it a short wheel base or long? 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton? Fleet or stepside bed?
If you're looking at a LWB 3/4 ton with an 8 foot step... I pretty much promise you'll never see your money again.
If it is a big block short fleet... or even a short step (mega rare) then you have a potential truck to tripple your cash.
I suspect it is a 3/4 ton long/fleet... not a whole lot of people will find it worth too much if that's the case.

03-08-2007, 01:41 PM	#1
akl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: osler Posts: 3	To buy or not to buy? I'm looking into buying a 70 Sierra Grande with the 402. Rust is minimal - just rockers and cab corners. Truck is complete and all chrome is in excellent shape. Asking price is $1500. Is this a good buy? Does the fact that it's a Sierra Grande with 402 make it slightly more desirable or much more desirable? What would the truck be worth with a mild custom restoration? I'm just wondering if I'll get my money back if I decide to flip it when it's done. Thanks

03-08-2007, 02:04 PM	#2
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: To buy or not to buy? Sounds like a good price __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

03-08-2007, 02:14 PM	#3
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: To buy or not to buy? Long beds are an iffy situation. If you do it right you'll never break even. If you're looking to flip for cash then buy a shortbed. If you like the truck $1500 sounds fair, but it's not Chevelle rare, cause it's just a truck.

03-08-2007, 02:32 PM	#4
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: To buy or not to buy? You can make money on a longbed. I just did. You have to find the right deal though. Sounds like a decent deal, but would have to see pics to more accurately gauge it. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

03-08-2007, 11:14 PM	#5
akl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: osler Posts: 3	Re: To buy or not to buy? I don't have any pictures of the truck. I'm not sure if I would flip it, just don't want to sink a lot of money into something I'll never get back.

03-08-2007, 11:21 PM	#6
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: To buy or not to buy? So many variables in that one. It's hard to say. Sounds like it would be very possible from your discription and price though. The problem isn't the value it finding the right buyer. __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR!

03-08-2007, 11:41 PM	#7
akl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: osler Posts: 3	Re: To buy or not to buy? What are buyers looking for? Stock, high performance, slammed?

03-09-2007, 02:09 AM	#8
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: To buy or not to buy? Dude, no offense, but if you don't want to sink money into something you'll never get back, it's probably not a good idea to buy an old truck. Do it because you want the truck, not because of what it's worth. It's one area in life where you're looking at the enjoyment factor - at least for me. Hope that helps.

03-09-2007, 02:29 AM	#9
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 883	Re: To buy or not to buy? Where is osler? Location will determine price. Minimal rust in NY is wrth a bunch more than minimal rust in AZ. If you are buying to drive, it sounds good. If you are buying for investment, $1500 is too much.

03-09-2007, 10:41 AM	#10
73737373 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 1,000	Re: To buy or not to buy? I'll buy original BB trucks all day long for $1500. __________________ 1968 Custom SWB, 327/3 speed OTC 1969 CST LWB, 402/400 1970 CST LWB, 402/400 1970 Sierra Grande LWB, 350/350 1971 Cheyenne LWB, 350/350 1972 Cheyenne Super LWB, 402/400 1972 Sierra Grande LWB, 402/400 1979 Silverado LWB, 350/350 1984 Suburban 1990 454 SS 1991 Silverado, X-cab, 4.3/5 speed Getrag 2005 Silverado Crew Cab Corvettes: 75, 77, 78, 93, 96

03-09-2007, 11:10 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: To buy or not to buy? It`s a real good price.Bring that thing back east as it sits and get double,if not triple,for it.That said,I don`t really care for investors on these trucks,sorry.It`s investors that muck-up a good hobby for the common man.Go buy some stocks and let someone who will appreciate it buy it.I see guys by me with vehicles in their yard constantly.Whenever it`s been one of our trucks,it`s always stupid money and obvious he didn`t touch it.Anyone that buys from these guys are kinda dumb,late-model or the seldom classic.Just figure you`ll find one for what he paid for his,not from him where he`s just put his padding on it.That`s my take. "Importing" a rustfree/minimal rust vehicle to the rustbelt is another story.You`ve provided a service. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 03-09-2007 at 11:17 AM.

03-09-2007, 11:12 AM	#12
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: To buy or not to buy? I'd buy it. Go for it.... __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

03-09-2007, 12:34 PM	#14
Blue85 Oilfield Trash Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raymore, Sk, Canada, Earth Posts: 3,170	Re: To buy or not to buy? Osler, Saskatchewan? If u don't buy it let me know, i need a 402 for my 70 3/4ton __________________ 14 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 08 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 87 Chev 3+3 4x4 80 GMC K10 High Sierra bone stock 70 Chevelle 350SS long term project 68 GMC 3ton Grain Truck/Garbage wagon 50 Pontiac 2 Door Coupe Project "I've got a shotgun rifle and a 4 wheel drive and a country boy can survive" Hank Jr.

03-09-2007, 01:59 PM	#15
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,180	Re: To buy or not to buy? Cosidering what a pain it is to hunt after all those brackets, the p.s. setup, etc.. I don't think $1500 is too much, especially if you are from Saskatchewan. I hardly ever see BB anything anymore, so grab it or let Blue85 have a shot. As far as selling it for profit, the old car trader has many vehicles in there with retarded prices, but do people actually pay that much? Restoring old vehicles is always a gamble financially, that's why I do it just for fun. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man" Last edited by HeavyD; 03-09-2007 at 02:02 PM.

03-09-2007, 02:29 PM	#16
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: To buy or not to buy? Those big block trucks are hard to come by back east....... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang



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03-09-2007, 07:02 PM	#17
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: To buy or not to buy? I'm with special-k on this one. Buying old iron for an investment is the wrong thing to do. Buying a mint yenko camaro for an investment is one thing, but buying a $1500 truck for an investment is downright crazy. The iron is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. Buying at $1500 and expecting to sell it later for more with little to no improvement is wishful thinking. Buy it because you want it to build. Nobody short of the pro-builders actually makes money on building any old vehicle. Some might break even, but most when you factor in what your labor cost is don't. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

03-10-2007, 11:29 PM	#18
kxnomore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA Posts: 331	Re: To buy or not to buy? I agree too. It's a labor of love, or a losing investment. I made the mistake of buying a car for parts, and then wasn't able to part it out. It was an original big block too, rust free, and drove too nice. Then I cleaned it up, put in new interior, gave it a quality tune up, new grill, bumpers, etc. Can't sell it to save my life. Should have took the engine and junked it- my original plan. Sometimes your heart gets in the way of sound business.

03-11-2007, 12:21 AM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: To buy or not to buy? a few important things have not been mentioned... is it a short wheel base or long? 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton? Fleet or stepside bed? If you're looking at a LWB 3/4 ton with an 8 foot step... I pretty much promise you'll never see your money again. If it is a big block short fleet... or even a short step (mega rare) then you have a potential truck to tripple your cash. I suspect it is a 3/4 ton long/fleet... not a whole lot of people will find it worth too much if that's the case.

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