Purchase Dilemma 1970 CST LWB

[Bert W]

I looked at this truck yesterday (12/14). I'll say the current owner is named Jim. Jim purchased this truck from his 94 year old neighbor who purchased the truck new in 1970. Jim has all of the paperwork, even the card under the seat. It has no rust. Since we breathe water here in Mississippi, that is rare. It has what appears to be the original 350 2bbl engine and automatic transmission. Jim has painted the engine. everything is orange and silver, even the radiator support. He painted the interior and dyed the seat/dash non original colors. (look at steering column for original). Everything on the SPID is present except the chrome rear bumper. It does not have power steering or power brakes. The color is dark bronze over medium bronze (also on SPID) I have not seen this combination before. Jim did a roll in bedliner as well. As you can see, the dirver side bed is folded a little and not creased. There is a small scratch type dent in the hood and one in the bottom of the tailgate. Jim wants $3500. I have done all of this rambling to ask, is this a fair price for this truck? All of my past truck projects have been $500 & $1500 specials, so for me this is a lot of money for an old pick up. I'd like to know what some of you think. Keep in mind that some of your comments will be used to convince the wife of the need for another truck. Here is a link. Oh yeah, the steering wheel looks like its from a 72.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[RenoKeene]

Seems a bit high to me but could be a good truck.
Here is a GMC in Florida for the same kind of $$
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/2720577772.html

[Clyde65]

I would say if you want it, it is worth it, however I would go back and say the body work will need at least $750 to repair, so I would offer 2750.

[sameyrasmea72]

If it really is rust free or very close and runs good, I think the price is very fair. I would always try to talk him down on the price though.

[dhaymaker]

I'm with Clyde65 and sameyrasmea72, it seems like a decent truck, but I think the price is a little high. Good solid sheet metal is a bonus though, particularly in light of how much of an impact some locations have on older vehicles.

[Tim Christian]

Just remember when you think its rust free they are some hideing somewere

[black_sheep454]

If you've looked it over and know its a solid rust free truck that runs and drives good I'd say it's worth it. Of course it would be nice to get it a little cheaper though. Just gotta keep in mind how much money in time and parts you will save over a $1000 truck it it's as nice as stated.
Posted via Mobile Device

[hugger6933]

I think 3500 is close. Two years ago no problem but the times are harder now than then. What most people don't know that are not from the middle south is that we are behind in everthing. We get Monday night football on Thursday afternoon. Now saying that to say this , the times are just as hard for us now as the rest of the country was about 18 months ago. If you want the truck it looks nice try to get him down a little. Everyone that tries to buy from me does. Also tell your wife I think you need that truck and Jim from Marianna AR says to buy it.

[cdowns]

the bedliner devalues the truck quite a bit for me especially the doityerself stuff
keep in mind it is all drum brakes
lack of power steering and brakes are both issues for some people
his "restoration" work devalues it to me
ii' b thinkin more in the 2-2.5thousand range considering those things

[mr48chev]

If you are dead bent on having it 100% original per spid it may be a tad high as you are going to have to redo or undo his handiwork.

The hokey paint job under the hood doesn't bother me and he is probably proud of it but that is easy to take care of.

As for myself the truck would have to get power steering soon after I bought it if I bought it but I could give a rippy doo dah about one being original per spid. That just isn't my thing in the least.

To me it's a heck of a good start on a nice truck as the body appears to be pretty good except for the ding in the bed. I'd rather deal with dings rather than rust any day and if it is the factory original paint that has never been repainted that is another plus.

It just depends on what you want to do with it after you get it. If you want it 100% original you will have to undo what the guy who has it now has done but none of those are really a big deal. None even require filling holes that he drilled to mount something that I can see. But if you plan to keep it all original does it have the equipment that you really want on a truck like this? No power steering and no power brakes along with no ac makes for a pretty plain truck that your wife might not want to ride in very far let alone drive.
For guys like me that would personalize it it's a nice blank canvas that has nothing that needs to be undone. No extras to pay for and then have to figure what to do with them like a set of custom wheels that you don't like would be.

I'm with Cdowns in that it should be worth about 2500. I'd take that in cash greenies on a one time wave it in front of him offer if you really want to deal on the truck and while not openly knocking what he did let him know that the offer reflects deducting what it will cost to get it back to the way it came out of the box.

[Bert W]

Thanks for the input guys, very insightful. I have found that since I began tearing down the 68 that I still need a running truck to run parts and handle the occasional honey-do at Home Depot. My 14 year old is going to end up with this 68. By the time I'm finished he will be driving and I'll be looking for another old truck for me to drive and tinker with. I am going to look at an 89 step side, or did they call it a sport side, this weekend. I can get in it a lot cheaper than this one. I may still make him an offer. I thought $3500 was high. It may sound stupid, but all of my old trucks in the past have steered me to the final outcome. This one, to me, just screams for an original type restoration. It is a blank canvas. All it needs are power steering, power brakes, and AC. Thanks again for the help fellas!

[Joesjunk]

That is probably a 307 engine, the 350 would have been a 4bbl, and it would have has 350 badges on the fenders

[Bert W]

You could be right Joe. Everything under the hood was painted. I couldn't see the block number. The decals on the valve covers were painted over as well. You are right, there are no fender badges. It doesn't matter anyway, I just got a letter that my son's private school tuition is going up again. Woo Hoo! If I talk with the owner again, I'll get the vin and maybe take a mirror so I can see the rear block number. You guys are great!

[Joesjunk]

See if the spid is still on the inside of the glove box door. 307 was a standard V-8, a 350 would be listed if so equipped

[Bert W]

I'll do that. The SPID is there, and clear. I do not remember an engine option being listed.