Newbie - good deal? What to ask?

[ih8vols]

Hello. First post here. Didn't grow up working on cars but have always wanted to get one to tinker on. I'd just like a good truck to drive around a couple days a week. I found a 1972 C1500 for sale. Interior has been restored and looks really good. Engine is original 350 with 131k miles. Body looks to be in pretty good shape (suppose to go see it in person later today). Does need paint, bumpers. They are asking $4k. How do I know if this is fair price? What should I look for or ask?

Appreciate the help!

[EARNHARDT#3]

Check for rust around the top of the windshield area inside and out. Check door bottoms, rocker panels and rear cab corners. Check kick panels and firewall for rot too. You can bring a magnet and check for bondo filler patches. If you don't pull the trigger right away take plenty of pictures and post them here for others to help you. Good luck!

[mikecaddy500]

Check for rust in cab mounts, bottoms of doors and fenders. Ask about oil consumption and check for leaks. Drive it and see if the steering is tight and it stops good. 4 grand is a fair price for a nice truck.

[cooperhw]

Take that asking price and split it up amoung the major components by asking yourself how much of this value has the seller placed on each. Like this,
Motor with 131,000 miles = $350
Trans with ??? miles = $250
Wheels and tires = $300
Paint = $500
Cab, & bed & sheet metal = $2000


Etc.

You get the point. Use whatever numbers you think are appropriate from what you see. Maybe even ask the seller to help you devide that $4000 up. Then you ask yourself "If I am going to replace say the motor or paint, or whatever is the truck still worth the asking price". If the answer is yes the jump on it. If you could live with everything other than say the wheels and tires then you can use that as a negotiation factor.
Anyhow, that's how I do it.

[engineer_gregh]

Hi ih8vols, where in Tennessee are you located? I like your screen name as I'm a GA Bulldog fan. If are you are in the Nashville area I'd be glad to help you.

[ih8vols]

Just got back from seeing the truck. Below are the photos and notes that I took. Thanks again for your help!


Here’s a link to the photos & videos I took :

https://drive.google.com/folderview?...2s&usp=sharing

Notes:

• He’s selling due to family issues and moving out of state.
• He’s had the truck about 6 months.
• He’s a mechanic and done all the work himself.
• He has a folder of all receipts.
• Everything inside is all original. Very clean.
• No visible rust.
• All lights work.


Items that are new:
• windshield & gasket
• gasket on back window
• shocks
• distributor cap & wiring
• fuel pump
• gas tank
• radio
• Rockford fosgate speakers
• Exhaust pipes and glass tips
• Springs & upholstered seat
• Brakes
• Master cylinder
• Cooper tires
• Wiper motor


The bad:
• Transmission leaks a little (he’s never had to add any fluid)
• Missing rear bumper
• May be missing side mirrors and some of the taillight covers (need to check)
• A/C needs to be refilled

[engineer_gregh]

If you looking for a project to finish that looks like a very decent deal.

[hammersmith]

Looks like a good deal to me. Piece of cardboard on the driveway will fix the transmission leak for now. I'd buy it get it on the road work out the bugs and see how you like it and if you want to put more money into it or not. if for some complete freak of nature you don't love it I'm sure you could get your money back reselling it.Haggle with him on price if you can a little but be careful not to p him off. Sometimes people sell for a fair price not to negotiate. Good luck

[ih8vols]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate all your help. I'm sure I'll be back to the forum quite often.

Just curious - what type of MPG would you estimate this gets? It has an original 350 small block in it. I know the mileage won't be great, but just curious as to what I should expect.

[hugger6933]

Depending on the rear gear, somewhere between 12 to 16. That is out on the open road. Jim

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by ih8vols

Thanks guys! Really appreciate all your help. I'm sure I'll be back to the forum quite often.

Just curious - what type of MPG would you estimate this gets? It has an original 350 small block in it. I know the mileage
won't be great, but just curious as to what I should expect.

If that's any part of a consideration, don't buy it.

Of course, I'm kidding....I make a habit of NOT opening my mouth (or keyboard) for the purpose of telling people what to do.

You'll likely get 8-12 mpg depending upon how you drive, rear end ratio, and trans....I didn't see it, but I'm guessing the
trans is a TH350.

I get 10 with an older build 350 that has an Edelbrock Performer intake under a 625 cfm carb, headers, a 350 trans and 3:08 gears.
I'm old. And (mostly) drive like an old man...but not always.

Your potential purchase is a long bed. I like long beds. But if you do choose to buy it and DON'T like it, your sales audience is
smaller than with a shortie.

Don't expect to fill the A/C and have it blow cold...Almost every seller of an a/c truck in which the a/c isn't working says,
"it just needs to be charged". If you charge it after you buy it and the a/c works, consider that a gift from above.

Rust, rust, rust is probably the only thing that would keep me from buying this truck. And, if you are not familiar with these rigs,
you should do some research and look very closely at the potential trouble spots. You've already had good advice on that. I really
worry about the area around the windshield. Hard to see with a new gasket and window in there. You can look under the dash
(with a flashlight) and see if there are rust pin-holes or not. Or worse.

It's REALLY a bummer to put in a new windshield and gasket and have the first water that the new windshield connects with funnel
down on your feet right after it goes into your fuse box....Or glove box on the other side.

But it's not easy to get a seller to let you attack the window with your garden hose. Maybe for $4k, he'd let you do that.

Another thing...you didn't say anything about a new water pump...But it looks like some semi-recent water flow has poured from the water neck, etc.

I'd just want to know if it overheats...maybe the P-P.O. put in a new water pump, thermostat, or flushed the radiator.... or something.

Whatever you do, buy it or not...have fun.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Depending on the rear gear, somewhere between 12 to 16. That is out on the open road. Jim

Ohhhh. That's GREAT!
I'd love to get 16 mpg. Or even 12.

Maybe it's time for a rebuild....Or, at least, to lean some stuff out...

[mikecaddy500]

looks pretty good.If you buy it and decide you don't like it, I'm pretty sure you could get your money out of it. Looks like a lot of parts were replaced and upgraded.

[71swb4x4]

It looks a bit overpriced to me. Long boxes are usually easier to find and a bit lower priced.
That one has primer everywhere which may mean nothing, or it may mean someone is covering up some marginal bodywork.
AC needs to be refilled likely means other AC problems too. AC doesn't just "unfill" without something being wrong. It could be as easy as an o-ring, but likely is more than that.

[dubds10]

Ya looks like a regular $2000-3000 tops project truck in my area at least. Not sure if you've searched outside your city but broaden your search as there's tons of LWB trucks out there. If it hasn't sold yet, there's usually a reason. I know trucks that have been on CL for 2 years just because of price or location lol

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

4K in my area would be a bit much. Maybe 3K. Note, seems about time that engine is rebuilt.

[TheCougarine]

It seems a bit too much based on what I see here in East TN. Theres a red long bed on our craigslist up here thats a more complete truck the guy wants 3k. I know he had a $2500 offer and he's "kicking himself" for not taking it according to Facebook.

[MARKDTN]

A bit high, but if not rusty might be OK. If he is a mechanic, tell him you will gladly bring him 4 cans of R134 and he can fill it (and fix whatever else is wrong) otherwise, the a/c should be considered non-working and price drop accordingly. I'd offer $3,000 cash assuming no leaks and rust. Might go to $3200 with good a/c and drop to $2700 if it doesn't work. Depends on your taste and situation how long you can stand to drive it with the paint/exterior like that.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

Ohhhh. That's GREAT!
I'd love to get 16 mpg. Or even 12.

...yeah... I'm going to say 10-12 is more realistic. I have a 700R4 (overdrive out of newer GM truck) and I get 11-12 (doesn't see OD very much) around town and 15-16 on the highway. That truck likely has a non OD TH350.

Looks like a pretty nice truck. I'd offer 3K for it.

Not sure how much you know about cars/classics but a decent paint job will likely cost more than you're paying for the truck, you may want to keep that in mind.