Restored truck prices?

[Dieseldriver65]

I've seen some guys on here saying about some trucks for sale at 15-20K they wanted restored money for them.Also that their truck would only be worth 10K after restoring them ect.My question is,where do you see restored B models selling for 10-20K?

[fxfymn]

For a true restoration; in your dreams.

A lot of folks call anything with fresh paint and Bondo restored. That you may find for that price.

Having said that a restored truck is almost always cheaper to buy than you would pay to restore one. In the fire truck world most professional restorations sell for around 30 cents for each dollar spent on the restoration.

[Wobblin-Goblin]

In the case of my '64 B61SX, I have $10k into it, but hundreds (400-500) of hours of labor. It's not a true "restoration," more like a thorough refurbishment. Everything works, is mechanically sound, it looks pretty good, the interior is really nice, and it actually still hauls material from time to time.

I'm not sure what it would fetch on the open market (I have no intention of finding out, either), but I'm guessing somewhere around $12-$15k.

[Bigdogtrucker]

The only truly restored trucks that sell for those prices are A people who went broke and are in need of cash, or B from widows

[steelman]

I have been a hobbist involved in antique cars, trucks, steam engines, antique engines, boats, guns, etc. for 50 years. It has been true, and will probably always be true, that the cost of a professional restoration (including the initial purchase price) will always be more than you will ever sell it for, making adjustments in the value of money over time. The only time I have seen this not hold is with some extremely rare or highly desirable vehicles that were limited production or lost due to wars, fires, etc. Examples would be Auburns, Cords, Dusenbergs (sp) and vehicles such as those. Unless somebody really wants that truck that was restored, it will be hard to get the true cost out of it if you count your time, material cost. Most of us collect/ restore things out of love for the items and the history involved. Just my 2 cents worth.

[AZB755V8]

I can say that I will never get the money out of most of my stuff if sold. I do restorations and have bought restorations. It is far cheaper to buy a restored vehicle than do one. The reason I do them is it is exactly what I want and money is secondary. That said My B was restored by Matt Pfahl's it was when I was working like crazy and making crazy money. Time was what I did not have. My budget was $90K but you know how that works. There is stupid money in it on top of all the parts I had to start with. It is what I wanted though. I had to buy the wife a new Corvette to make peace.

I bought a 34 Ford at auction years ago for $50K plus the juice. It was perfect and all real steel. Years late a guy told me he knew the car and worked on the restoration/ modification of it, said there was $270K in the car!! Divorce was the reason for the sale. If I could get $60K for it I would sell it today. What anything is worth is what someone is willing to pay for it.

If you are looking at these old trucks to get out the money you put in don't get involved at the prices you are hearing. Those guys saying that a restored truck is only worth $10-20K are living in the past. Or lowballing prices but why?

A nice B, LT or really any big truck, with rebuilt engine, cab, frame off restoration can go from $30-40K easy up to the cost of a new truck. depending on a lot of things. Time involved is a big factor. Just a reman engine is $10K and up.

[41chevy]

Out of 30 or 40 vehicles I've restored , hot rodded or personalized I have only made money on 2 and lost or broke even on the rest.. Best advise IMO is buy what you like, buy the best you can afford and never expect to make money. In the long run you will be happier. Paul

[AZB755V8]

Perfectly said Paul.

I would add do it for the passion, fun, hobby, interest....

[mrsmackpaul]

Yeah I dont think you will ever get back what you paid when you restore something that said there is restore and restore if that makes any sense

I have fixed up old gear before without doing a full resto because well I lack something called skill LOL and even those I would never get my money back but I dont care I get as much fun out of fixing things as I do driving them

I always find it easier not to discuss money it was the way I was bought up every time I have ever shared what I have spent eyebrows raise and people crap on about how they could get such and such cheaper and what a fool I am ( yeah like I dont know Im a fool )

My simple rules spend what you can afford if start running low on the folding stuff just slow down I always keep it driveable lot more chance of me finishing it then I started a full resto once still in the shed HMMMMMM lesson there lol

Far cheaper to buy a restored item than do it your self most times but you dont know what short cuts have been taken when I do it my self I know my own short cuts

10 - 15 grand tell them they are dreaming

Paul

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Far cheaper to buy a restored item than do it your self most times but you dont know what short cuts have been taken when I do it my self I know my own short cuts

You are correct. Besides, part of the pride of driving these beasts is knowing you did the work yourself. I think it would detract from the experience if the only investment in the truck was money.

[farmer52]

Personally I prefer to find vehicles in excellent original condition. I will pay extra for originality and condition. I tend to shy away from restored vehicles unless the seller has documented before and after pics, list of parts/items replaced, and who did the work. Repaints with overspray and rattle can touchups turn me away.

When I sell a vehicle (personal car, tractor, etc.), I have a list of maintenance, parts, service repairs, etc. that I show the potential buyer. I am surprised when some get "turned off" with those details.

[Wobblin-Goblin]

When I sell a vehicle (personal car, tractor, etc.), I have a list of maintenance, parts, service repairs, etc. that I show the potential buyer. I am surprised when some get "turned off" with those details.

They get turned off because they know they will be paying for them.

[Dieseldriver65]

Thanks fellas,i agree with it all!

[41chevy]

Personally I prefer to find vehicles in excellent original condition. I will pay extra for originality and condition. I tend to shy away from restored vehicles unless the seller has documented before and after pics, list of parts/items replaced, and who did the work. Repaints with overspray and rattle can touchups turn me away.

When I sell a vehicle (personal car, tractor, etc.), I have a list of maintenance, parts, service repairs, etc. that I show the potential buyer. I am surprised when some get "turned off" with those details.

Sell a vehicle??? Never heard such fool hardy talk!!!

[farmer52]

Paul,

I do rotate stock.....rarely but occasionally. Latest item will be my 2011 HHR.

[41chevy]

Paul,

I do rotate stock.....rarely but occasionally. Latest item will be my 2011 HHR.

I'll have to study this odd thing called "selling a vehicle" Curious idea. Is it a local custom in Ohio or Pa? Surely this can not be a wide spread thing....

[jackb61sx]

We got In to our restoration of our B-61 and with high hopes, 10 years later we took it to its first show. we can never sell the truck for what we are into it for but that's fine, we enjoy it and that's what matters. There are two types of restorations to me, the first original condition all made mechanically sound and fun to drive with no worries and then there is the total frame off restoration that you can drive and enjoy but never get your money back out of. They are booth fun to there respective owners and that's the beauty, restoration is all individual and the cost associated wide and varied. Every person has there percieved value of what a vehicle is to them