Thinking of selling my truck due to high gas prices

[68,69 K20]

I've come to realize that due to skyrocketing gasoline prices, putting my K20 on the road and using it will bankrupt my wallet.
I really hate to do this because I've already spent lots of cash and time/effort into getting it roadworthy. I'm thinking of selling it to someone who can afford to use it instead of parking it and letting it sit.

Anyone else having this issue right now or in the recent past? Suggestions??

[big_al_71]

If you can afford to maybe buy your self a cheap 4cyl to drive everyday and use the truck on the weekends. just a suggestion..

[68,69 K20]

I have a nissan sentra i drive everyday, so the truck was only going to be a part time use only. But with gas here in NY pushing 4 dollars a gallon, i wasnt sure it was worth even putting it on the road if I could only afford to use it once a month or so, thanks for the suggestion though...

[ChevLoRay]

Don't it just suck the big one?!!

My '96 GMC has a 4.3 and is a SWB, so it is as light as a '96 can get, almost. Problem is that I also have "stuff" in the bed that is covered with a hard tonneau. I'm getting about 16MPG around town, so I feel luckier than a lotta folks. My '69 isn't using any gas at all....it's in three different places in town, so the engine/trans in my garage are extremely gas-thrifty.

Honestly, in spite of the price of gas, I'd keep it. You have something else that is your primary mode of transport. The truck, is also enjoyable. And, based on my own experiences, you'll regret selling it. It sucks that these were built when a gallon of gas cost less than the total amount of taxes on a gallon these days, but it is what it is. What hurts my feelings are the memories of the cyclical gas prices in Tucson in the late Sixties/early Seventies, that saw regular fluctuate from about 40 cents a gallon, down to about 19 cents, over a six-week period. When it was down, it was there for about a week, then overnight it was back to the top. For a G.I., the high prices were not good. But, we loved it when it got cheap.

Those days are gone. Ethanol doesn't make sense, either. It makes gasoline get fewer MPG, while crippling the food economy. We'd be better off w/o the ethanol and feeding people with everything that corn is a part of in the food chain. It's easier to curb the driving than it is to curb hunger.

[C10-Driver]

I hear ya... I've always wanted a BB and finally got one but putting $100 worth of fuel in it evey week just doesn't make it practical. And, BTW, you guys have it easy... With the recent hikes this week because of the Libyan turmoil, our gas is pushing $6 per gallon ($1.30 per litre).

[stich626]

I vote keep it.

[dougo]

If you can afford to hang on to it while only driving it a couple times a month I say keep it. If its a hobby for you then it does more for you than just providing transportation. Gas prices will fluctuate and hopefully come back down some.
Posted via Mobile Device

[cpisani70@aol.com]

Keep it
Posted via Mobile Device

[pat 70/71]

Keep it! you will kick yourself if you sell it. I have a box van (high cube) for our business and the cost of fuel is making me re think its use on a daily basis! now I only drive it when I really need to install a large project (all in one trip) my dad used to say "push it for 100 yards and then tell me how much a gallon of fuel is worth" cheers, Pat

[67chevy1series]

i knew from my dads k10 ( doesnt like to drive it because it drinks to much gas....) that when i would build a truck it would be a c10 shorty so i didnt have to worry about this....

[05crewcab]

Gas prices are volatile... three years ago in MN they were in the low $4 per gallon, then a year later they were around $2 and stayed in the $2's for a year before climbing back up to the high $3's currently....

In 9-12 months when prices adjust again you will be sorry you sold your truck.

[DZL1]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

If you can afford to maybe buy your self a cheap 4cyl to drive everyday and use the truck on the weekends. just a suggestion..

Thats what i do.

If its not your daily driver then keep it.

DZL1.

[rogergodding]

Originally Posted by 05crewcab

Gas prices are volatile... three years ago in MN they were in the low $4 per gallon, then a year later they were around $2 and stayed in the $2's for a year before climbing back up to the high $3's currently....

In 9-12 months when prices adjust again you will be sorry you sold your truck.

Exactly my thought, don't do it just because gas is high right now.....

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Id keep it just use the daily driver for comute gas will always be an issue no matter what you drive.

[Longhorn Man]

if your truck isn't even on the road, then it doesn't matter what gas costs.
The price has gone up before, people whined and cried about it, then the price dropped back down again and everyone forgot and bought gas guzzlers again.
If you feel you need to sell it, it is worth more as a complete project than it is as a pile of parts. Finish the build, and then sell it when the prices have dropped again and everyone fogets expensive gas again.
It will happen, it happens every time.

[Ironhorse]

Years ago when my wife and I were first married, (celebrating our 40th in June of this year) I sold a clean 2 dr hardtop '65 Impala SS 300hp/327, factory 4 spd, buckets, console, factory tach, posi, bored and cammed with new body and paint work. new dual exhaust, cause gas was getting to high to drive it daily. That car was a real runner. At the time it seemed the thing to do as could not afford it with a wife and a baby on the way. Sold it? Practically gave it away cause in late '73 with the first oil embargo you couldn't get a decent offer for a performance car. Talk was gas may hit 65-75 cents a gallon or more. To this day I regret selling that car. Even if you only use the truck on occasion, when you need a truck nothing else works like a truck. I now have a restored '71 LWB 4x4, 350 w/granny 4 spd. Gets a solid 11 miles to the gallon loaded or unloaded as long as I keep my foot out of it. A '71 Chevelle SS project in the works, '57 2dr sedan with a 283 & dual WCFB carbed 4 spd I used to 1/4 mile and a '55 2dr wagon still in the waiting process. Times and circumstances change. If I knew then what I know now I never, never would have sold that Impala. Don't make a rash decision you'll regret later. Just my .02 cents worth. Your call.

[lil hoodlum]

I feel your pain!! When gas was $4.00 a gallon, I was spending $80.00 a week in gas. I was begining to think of just parking it and walking and or riding my bicyle. Thankfully gas did come back down. I know I would have regretted selling it though. Your truck probably means more to you than that, money comes and goes, but the enjoyment you get out of driving/owning your truck is priceless.

Hang in there!

Keith

[gixxerpymp]

You have a daily thats good on gas and you are wanting to sell it???

Might as well sell it... Doesn't sound like you care that much about it.

[ls1nova71]

I would keep it. Find someone who bought a brand new Hemi 'Cuda convertible only to sell it for a little bit of nothing when gas went up in the '70s, and ask them if they wish they still had it. JMHO
Posted via Mobile Device

[69 Okie Truck]

I got a big ol' honkin' American v-twin for my daily. At around 35 mpg it's considered a gas "hog" when some of its competitors get 40-50+ mpg. Still though, I could never imagine me without a my truck out in the driveway to take care of manly stuff, like pullin' a trailer, haulin' trash or parts or, yes...even my bike to wherever.

Sounds like you don't really need the truck for daily use, so what harm is it in keeping it? Like a really hot chick, you'll only realize how handy it was when it's gone.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by 68,69 K20

I have a nissan sentra i drive everyday, so the truck was only going to be a part time use only. But with gas here in NY pushing 4 dollars a gallon, i wasnt sure it was worth even putting it on the road if I could only afford to use it once a month or so, thanks for the suggestion though...

Mike,
I had a 67 C-10 back in 2005. Bought it for $4K and put ANOTHER $11K into it.
Sold it for $8K, because I was in a similar boat that you are.
Had a GM Crate ZZ383/425 HP Engine, and I only put about 4K miles on it.

May I please say.DON'T SELL IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a 2nd chance and now own a 72 GMC, with an old/tired 350.
I think I'm getting 11-12 MPG. Gas is pushing $3.65 a gallon for the Cheap stuff,
where I'm at.
I happen to live in Palm Springs area, so almost EVERY DAY, is a Cruising Day.
I have an 05 GMC Sierra Ext Cab I drive 90% of the time, but I'd GLADLY park my 72 in the Garage and NOT drive it, as opposed to selling it.
You will regret it every FREAKIN' day.
Just my .02 cents worth.
Not many of us are handed a chance to get another 67-72 Chevy/GMC.
I was, and will be forever grateful.
Think about it.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by pat 70/71

Keep it! you will kick yourself if you sell it. I have a box van (high cube) for our business and the cost of fuel is making me re think its use on a daily basis! now I only drive it when I really need to install a large project (all in one trip) my dad used to say "push it for 100 yards and then tell me how much a gallon of fuel is worth" cheers, Pat

I remember riding with my Dad back in about 1967/68, and he pulled in to the Gas Station to fill up his Ford Pick-up.
He was on the roads 6 days a week.
We pull in and he say..."CRAP...Gas is up to .39.9 a Gallon"!

Its all relative!

[19673ontree]

the company I work for provides me a company truck and credit card to buy gas , so the only time I buy gas myself is when I pleasure drive my 67 c10 or my 67 camaro , and now that my wife is gone I really don't care how much gas is I'M CRUZIN !

[Ironhorse]

Been reading these posts and thinking about what I posted and would like to add a couple things. When I was racing my '57 on the 1/4 track I had several people asking to buy it as they wanted to restore it back eithr stock or at least to a streetable vehicle. Was tempted several times as I could use extra $$$ with a wife and three kids. House payment and college for three was on my mind. But then I thought "When will you ever be able to buy a running '57 2 door sedan with a 283 and 4 spd for $500 again"? When I bought my '71 4x4 it was a rough looking ol' dog but it was what I wanted, 67-72 body style 4x4. Gave $1200 for it then and hate to think how much I have put into it since. 4x4's were not really plentiful then and less so today. Now I've retired, have a 35x50 full cement floor shop to play in and still have all my "toys" per se. Things look dark for gas prices and the consumer right now but where would I be now trying to buy all these toys at today's prices. Just hang in there, gas it and drive it as you can and work on it as you can afford to. Twenty years from now someone will be looking at your truck asking "How much, Bud ? Been looking for one of those for years." Just another .02 cents.

[Zoomin]

If you have a place to keep it, park it and cancel the insurance, and if this craziness lasts long enough, black tag the license and it's not going to cost anything to keep it.