For the last 2 years I've been scrimping, saving, and working an extra job in hopes of saving up for a pre-1960 pickup, ideally a Ford F or a GMC. My goal was to have 7 to 8 thou saved. I figured that should get a well done, solid car. I've had up to 5K saved but little things keep popping up and costing $ - wife's grad school, home repairs, stuff my bike needs, etc . Seems I can really only count on keeping 2K in my "secret" account. I need to use that amount before it starts disappearing,too! Ideally, I don't want to have to sell my bike to come up with the extra cash. I've given up on my "ideal" vehicle, but still want one badly. Pre-1960. I'm open to whatever is out there, but limited on good, solid knowledge. I looked at a 54(?) Cranbrook recently, but the guy wanted $4500.00. Seemed a bit steep. ButI saw a chopped Cranbrook on here and man, it looked GREAT. So my question is this - with this little to spend, what should I look for? Or should I keep waiting,saving, and find a third job? I ask so I can spot a "too good to be true" buy. I don't want some unsafe rat job, either. Oh - and Ebay - Well, I don't do that anymore! Also considering finding a Triumph project or just throwing the $ at the Sporty for an 88" engine rebuild. As always, advice and wisdom is greatly appreciated.
I'd look at the '57-'60 F-100's I just picked this one up for $1000 here in CA... and they come up all the time on www.craigslist.com Plans call for a Chevy 1/2 ton clip, 472 Caddy, interior and some rust repair... and it'll be lower when I'm done. In fact, there was a cherry pie '58 with a Vette 283 (they're all Vette 283's and 327's)... it had a body as nice as the one I bought... all for $1400. FWIW, these trucks are gainiing in popularity... either that, or people are starting to feel sorry for them! Sam.
wow! nice score! cool color, too! Thanks for the reply - it's encouraging to see wha can be found out there for not that much $!
Just start asking everyone you know or meet. Trucks like that are out there! It is kinda funny what different engines were swapped into them to keep em running. I saw one like Sam posted with a 455 Olds.
Just keep an eye out, my buddy in San Diego seems to have a gift for that. One of the last trucks he found was a 63 GMC, totally rust free, super straight and just needed a freeze plug replaced in the big V6. He found it for around $600.
do you want a truck or just something to play with? if you want a truck there's several here(nc) that could be had for less money than your talking. if your just wanting something to play with i've got a '55 plymouth moredoor thats 2/3 done that i have lost motivation on. motor was rebuilt by last owner i've taken the whole thing down to bare metal and shaved doors trunk hood, blah blah blah. i drove the car home when i got it about a year and a half ago. first time it had seen the road in something like 17 years. i keep saying i'm at least gonna finish the bodywork and get it in primer to sell but am to busy with the buick, the bobber, and work. i've got a little more than 1500 in it and about 40 hours to i need the space it sits in and the tax man cometh. i'd let the car go for 1200 or probably less if your interested. i'm just across the mountain in hickory 2-3 hours away. if it's a truck you want let me know as i know where there were a few good scores to be had recently and can check back on them...ken....
Buy what YOU want, who cares what we think. You have to drive it. Really. Now, hide your money and act like you don't have it. Thats always when the best deals pop up for me, when I'm broke!
patience my friend. i was in the same situation as u, and when i finally bought the car i was desiring, a week later a better deal sprung up, but was it was too late for i had spent my $$ out of eagerness. dont settle for something inferior. wait till u find exactly what u want and what your budget and skills can maintain. youll eventually find it, there out there! oh theres allways something laying around the house u could ebay that u wont miss- to put $$$ into your "fund" ....best of luck.
Seems to me that around 3000 and you start getting in the better deal range. You know good runners and solid. I scored my first 59 buick 2dr sedan for 1700 from a guy on ebay I didnt win but I sent an email saying if the guy flaked I'm local give me a call.
I don't understand that, unless you had a bad experiance buying something. Selling unwanted stuff there is where your project money is going to come from. If you can list something and make a buck on it it is better than playing Lotto.
Keep your ears to the rails! A couple weeks ago a buddy of mine got a free '57 F100 with a y block. Ok, well he traded a running 460, but the 460 cost him nothing. If I was more proactive (and didn't just buy a '61 F100) it could have been mine for a similar deal.
There's a guy near me with a'55 F100 ... all original in fairly good shape, 6 cyl. $3500. The guy lives in Front Royal ,Va. It seemed like a great deal to me.I was there looking at an early Mustang for my wife. I still have his Phone # if interested. Don
Just as many others said, a late 50's early 60's pickup will be your best bet for a decent vehicle for $2000. The 57-60 Fords especially are available for good prices, as Sam showed. The 61-64 Fords are a little more desireable, but you can still find nice ones for good price. The 58-59 Chevys are nice and have reasonable prices. Same basic truck as the 55-57, but those are more cost. early 60's Chevys are getting a bit too desireable to find good ones for cheap. You might even find a late 50's early 60's car, just keep your ears open and talk to people about what you want. Now with taxes due, some chance to get a good deal from a person that has IRS needs.
TNsportster. I see no reason that you should not be able to pick up a decent 50's model Truck for two grand. If you are having trouble finding one let the HAMB know what you are looking for and something should turn up. I find them around my area all the time. They are ussually in need of some attention, but a good candidate is not that hard to find.
Thanks for the info, all. Happy to hear that there are some options out there in my range! Thanks also for the leads - seeing that it's car show and swap season in this area, I'll start out looking locally and work outward. Thanks again.
The pusher is not a '50s (actually its a '65) but I'm in cheap (way less than 2K), bought it right here on the HAMB. Keep an eye on the class adz there are always some smokin' deals over there.
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