WIW 1968 Suburban

[CCCC]

Will appreciate your ideas on a ballpark (reasonable) purchase price of:

1968 1/2 ton Suburban
4wd and 4 speed (updated with 205 and SM from 1972)
Fresh 327 with Holley 4bbl and runs strong
Rust free and nice new paint, nice chrome, clean/nice interior with 3 seats Tailgate/liftgate, new tires on good looking wheels, factory tach

Does not have AC, still has drum brakes, original steering wheel (fair cond), had factory spotlights (2) that need replacing , tach needs to be calibrated (how is this done?)

I have no frame of reference on a price for such a truck and need some help.

Thanks for any replies.

CCCC

[1956cameo]

The more pic's you can post for us the more accurate of a price we can give you. By the way it sound's I would say at least $4,000; but pictures would greatly help. It could be alot more!

[Long Roof]

Pictures are worth a ton on something like this. Did you personally verify the body & paint condition? How about the engine?

In my part of the world I could see a price anywhere from 7k to 10k for a rig as you describe. I however do not live in New Mexico where I assume that rust free classics are a little easier to come by.

Curious, why do you say you have no reference? By my count you have (or had) 12 or 13 trucks of this vintage.

[CCCC]

Thanks for the thoughts - will try to get and post a couple of pics. Yes, I have verified in-person both the no-rust aspect and the paint job (very well done original color) as well as the recent engine freshening. This is a very nice Suburban for what it is - as described. (No AC, no PS, etc.)

Yes, I do own all of the trucks shown on my list (and one more Longhorn not added yet) and if this were a pickup or one-ton specialty I would be fine on a price. But, have never bought a Suburban of this vintage and there are far fewer nice ones on the market as compared to pickups, etc. So, would like the advice/opinion of experienced folks.

Thanks again. CCCC

[Long Roof]

Even though you have no experience with the burbs I bet you have a gut feeling on what kind of deal this is. If you do end up with it make sure to take a load of pics and post them. This board doesn't get as much action as the truck and blazer board so give us something to look at.

[CCCC]

Here are some pics to aid in your assessment - looking forward to replies on WIW. Thanks.
CCCC[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 507122[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[vectorit]

Hey it looks like my burbs little brother!

Mine is the same color, but it has a white top and grill.

I wouldn't be suprised to see a price tag ranging between 10k and 15k on something this nice, but I do see some red flags - well to me anyways...

The rubber door bumper is painted.
The door latch striker plate is painted.
The rear hatch hinge rubber grommets are painted.
The E-brake lever cover is painted body color. (They were painted black)
This makes me wonder about the actuall care taken to prep the truck for paint, which leads to how well it will stand up over time.

Some good things I saw, which are premium things to me.

If the two back seats are as nice as the front, then thats about a minimum of 2k worth of upholstery and cushion work.

The front axle looks like a later model from the looks of the hub. Are you sure it's drum braked? From the pic it looks like it would be a later model with discs, rather than the closed knuckle with drum.

It has nice looking 67-68 side trim. That trim is hard to come by for burbs, and it looks like someone restored them corrrectly.

It has seat belts. Well at least on the front bench, but are there belts on the back seats? Those usually get robbed, and either replaced with not so good/nice looking belts.

Have you driven it? How does the transmission sound? I ask since the 67-68 4-wheel drive transmissions are noisey. If it has a the newer NP205 TC, then I'm wondering if someone replaced the trans as well. The NP205 is easier to operate and get parts for, as compared to the original Rockwell TC.

Does it still have the original head liner boards and retainer strips?

How is the rest of the inner side panels? They usually get all beat up over time, and the rears are made of cardboard backer and get all warped over time.

Either way, I'd say from the pics it looks like a very nice burb to me.

[hounddogs!]

Hart_Rod didn't have that at one time, did he?

[Long Roof]

I revise my price to around 15k

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by hounddogs!

Hart_Rod didn't have that at one time, did he?

I almost bought it....probably should have....hope you pick it up Paul, it's a really nice truck, .

[vectorit]

Now I kind of remember this from another post.

So what is the sticker price on it? Are they asking for you to make an offer or what?

[1956cameo]

That's a great looking suburban. I would say around here I could see it selling for $9,000-12,000 in todays economy. I could see it going for a few grand more as long as there are no suprises. I think a $15,000 asking price is reasonable and realistic asking price.

[CCCC]

Thanks to all who replied, opined and gave gave an idea on WIW. Your thoughts are very helpful and much appreciated. I am thinking hard - this IS a nice truck.
CCCC

[olblue60@aol.com]

If its a dealer they probably have some kind of a bargaining buffer on the truck. Start low, you can always go up on your price but not down.

[kev2809]

very true...so whats the sticker price on it?

[CCCC]

$11,000.

[scottydawg]

Offer them 8500.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by scottydawg

Offer them 8500.

Good luck. The guy that owns the Burb has owned at least 50 of this year model of trucks. He knows what they are worth and doesn't need to sell it. Besides, $11K is still a really good price, this is a very, very nice Suburban.

[scottydawg]

I know, but you gotta at least try.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by scottydawg

I know, but you gotta at least try.

I did.......

[justcuz]

This thread started almost a month ago. Even if the guy knows what it is worth he has it for sale. There is a bargaining factor and I am sure there has been a few tire kickers. The economy is slow and the truck is nice (according to Hart-rod, which is a very reliable source).
IF it has a disc braked open knuckle front axle I would offer him 9,500 and go up to 10,000.
If it does not have a disc brake open knuckle front end, I would offer 9,000 and go up to 9,500.
If you want it your going to have to pay for it. It sounds like it is worth it and the cosmetic stuff can be fixed pretty easily.
The front axle swap will probably cost you around the 500 difference in the offering price based on the cost of the axle, brake lines, master cylinder and prop valve.
When that is all done it will be a very nice Suburban.
I would suspect the SM420 if it still in there is OK. They are noisier than a 465but they are bullet proof and have a slightly lower granny gear in them.

[CCCC]

Thanks for all of the replies here. Good comments and helpful.

Because of my location and distance, it has been difficult to get back to this truck, but I am going to do so next week and hope to bring it home.

I do wish it had the disc brake/open knuckle front axle setup - but don't know if I would want to have anyone else do the conversion. Maybe I could find someone who has the components, has done the job before and could do it well. Probably will want to take my time and do so myself once good parts are located.

Thanks again for the advice.
CCCC

[budder71]

pm me your email address and I will send you pics of a 68 1/2 ton 4WD all original 4 speed 327 sbc I just bought off of ebay in Oregon 27 days ago... and I paid $9500.00 for mine... it looks alot like yours ... they are awesome looking trucks...

[budder71]

So have you bought the Burb yet ? mine arrived today and I am pumped !!!! it's nicer than the pictures and of course I have freshly blasted and painted ralleys with new center caps and beauti rings going on first thing in the morning !!!

[CCCC]

Have told the owner that I want it - now a matter of time and logistics as it is 250 miles up the road and the weather and the season have me tied down a bit.