Check the old Dodge Brothers truck I found in the remains of an old shed! I looked around this place a few years ago, but it was summer time and the weeds were tall and the poison ivy was asshole deep, so I didn't see everything. The old D.B. has been turned into a rolling sawmill with the drive shaft running a big 30" or so blade (can't see it in the pictures). I crawled into the wreckage and, DAMN! The truck is all there from the cowl forward. Note the red wheels. I guess it's officially a rat-rod! Can anyone tell what year it is? I also took a few pix of other vintage tin hiding among the limbs and snow. As soon as I get ahold of the land owner, I'm going to ask if I can "clean up" some of this "scrap metal" for him
Man - I wish you luck on getting your hands on that stuff - looks like plenty of good tin to work with.
I'm more familiar with Dodge Brothers cars then trucks, but I'd guess about '24ish from what I see. The tall radiator started around '22. there should be an aluminum serial number tag on the passenger side front floorboard. With that I may be able to help. Or the engine number just above the carb.
Great find and I have to hand it to you hiking around in the snow looking for barn finds, though that more like ruble that you found that under. The early bird got the worm! Chris
im sorry but im not so into the field finds as some my time is worth more then t takes to find a good body if your labor is free and you find a scab for 500 put 100 hours in to it making it solid 200 metal 300 electric 50 welding gas 300 in labobor paying yourself 3 anhour you have spent 1350 to amake a patched body. look at the big picture and spend the money in a good way.
Its not about the $ it takes to build its about the fun and joy it takes to build and all the kool people you meet along the way!
For me, the "car money" only comes in a little bit at a time, usually after selling something, so a find like this is a perfect starting point. I've always liked fabricating something over just buying it, anyway. Much more satisfying!!
There may be a large aluminum number tag on the firewall. I saw a '19 dodge roadster body with on, large numbers (1 1/2" high) If you find the number, I know a restorer of old Dodges who can probably give you the answer. I agree with mid twenties though. Flatman
If you're doing this as a hobby, you can't EVER figure in the cost of your time. If you aren't in the garage makin' sparks and dust, what else would you be doing in your free time? How much do you "bill out" drinking beer and watching TV? Materials? Sure, you should figure that in, but again, if you have a hobby, you have to figure in the costs of everything. I like to hunt...license, cover scent, ammo, did I buy a new gun this year? New boots? New jacket or pants because my old ones were worn out? What about gas to drive out to my favorite spot. I think by the time you figure all of that in, if I put one deer in the freezer, I lost money when compared to buying beef at Kroger. Two deer, and I'm probably a little closer to even, though I still have gas driving to and from the spot...and since I don't get something every trip, that gas ads up. Or, you can look at it like my wife does: She knows where I am, she knows where the money is going, and at the end of it all, we have something to show for it (food, or a hot rod!). Unlike Fantasy Football, strip clubs and poker. Brad
I have to wonder if you were in there without the owners permission. That might be a little dicey to explain when you try negotiating to purchase, sure would if it was my land.
There were places I roamed around as a kid and never really thought of as trespassing. Unfortunately, I would have to fess up if I wanted to try and buy any of the stuff I found now days. Its not the best way starting off negotiations with "when I was a kid I use to trespass on your property and I found this old truck..." What's with that front fender? Looks like its shattered or something? Doesn't look bent or cut.
...looks like a cool old place, hope you can score that stuff. That one truck is a 54-5 Chevy but looks like it has earlier front fenders. You should try to make a deal on all the metal on this place, looks like some interesting stuff.
That shouldn't be a problem. A buddy of mine gave me an old Volvo that is sitting out at the same spot. The land owner is a friend of his. I actually know the guy, but I haven't seen him in like 20 years. I do remember that used to have a hot rod 57 Chevy with a bad reputation.
Slag, I'm glad there are guys out there that think like you. If not, there would be no old field tin left.
If you can find who the owner of such a find , the way to approach him or her is with the story you overheard a couple guys talkin' at an auction about a cousins or uncles old barn that had an old car...........
Well, I just called the guy. Didn't really get anywhere. I just told him I went out to look at the Volvo and noticed part of an old truck under a fallen-in shed...... He said "Yea, the one with the saw mounted on it." me- "Got any plans for it? him-"Give me a number!" me-".....oh, I don't know, how about $300?" him-"HEEEEEELL NO!, Not even close! That thing still runs....It's got one of those old generators you can weld with.......bla bla bla" me-"Well, you got a price I can shoot for?" him-"Give me some time to think it overand call me later. It ain't gonna be near $300, though." end of conversation I know $300 is low, but I thought it worth a try. Here is the question for you guys. If all I want to keep is the sheet metal, then what do you think I might be able to get for the rest of it, frame, engine etc..on ebay or elsewhere?
Shagrat, I'm not trying to be an expert so don't take it the wrong way. It's just my opinion. I have an original '24 DB and follow DB priceing. DB engines ALWAYS run, they are industructible, so there's no market. IT is very rare that anyone needs a complete engine. Frames and front axles are everywhere, too. You could probably strip and piece out the unwanted and recoup the $300, starter/generator, carb, distributor, etc, IF they work. If they are cores, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 the $300. I don't think $300 is a bad price for either of you. But some people think it's old it has to be worth a lot.
after 18 years of doing this if you want a car with paint spend the money up front. all the more power to guys putting this stuff back on the road but when it gets sold 3 times over for a hefty price and some guy wants to finish it in paint and i tell him it will cost more then he paid for the running car they should know why.
Well, shit! I just called the guy back and he "don't think it's for sale, might do sump'n with it someday". BULL SHIT! I can tell he really treasures it by the nice storage facility he keeps it in. I guess I'll just watch the obituaries and buy it from his widow someday.
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