Question on a 1939 plymouth pickup

Ok, first let me introduce myself. My name is Kyle and I'm 17. I have been looking for a project truck for a while now. I have always loved this pickup that I p*** by almost every week and I finally stopped to talk to the owner. He is a really nice guy but there is only on problem, he wants to keep the truck! I knew the history of the plymouth pickup but couldn't come up with a price. I know that they made alot more dodge pickups than plymouths but I dont want to spend too much knowing I could get the same body just badged different. My question is what value would you put on the truck, being non running and in need of an overhaul? My plan was to do a minor restoration for now since I think it looks pretty cool the way it is. I would replace the gl***, tires, brakes, gas tank, go through the engine, redo the seat and as I get time clean up and paint the frame. If I am doing my math right I believe to do only what I said would cost between 4-6k. I have the knowledge, skill, tools, space and funds to make it happen, just need to figure out a price (close to what I have in mind) and be able to get the owner to part ways with it. I have worked the past three years in a custom boat and cabinet building shop which I use alot of the same skills it would take to get this truck drivable. One other question I have is is there any brake kits that I could buy to convert the brakes to power / power disk brakes relatively easily because I know there is one thing that is very important and that is to be able to stop! Thanks for any advice!
Kyle

 

It's good to hear of a 17 year old going in this direction. I have a '42 Fargo which is the Canadian version of the Plymouth. The next time you go and see the owner explain what you would like to do, maybe you could use it as a History project (I know I'd accept that from any of my students), and propose that you buy it. You could fix it up and they could get a magnetized sign for their advertising purposes and you could then make a deal as to how many hours/ days you would advertise for them. And yes there is a kit to convert to power brakes. Check out : 39-47Dodge@yahoogroups.com for a wealth of info. Good luck!

 

An ***urance that the truck would really get fixed up, and really mean something to you, should go a long way. If the truck is just used for display now, maybe find something else they could park there?

 

Around here these types of "projects" are _ unfortunately - almost worthless. If he put a for sale sign on it it may not sell - except to you! Seeing as it's reasonably complete on the outside, but as you said toast inside and likely rusty underneath and either engineless or seized, it could go for $500-$1000 on a good day, to the right buyer. Looks like an antique/curio shop and he uses it as a draw - right?
First thing I'd advise you is to look for another truck, which you'll find, likely running, for under $1500...
Second, if really you wanna try your hand, offer him $500 cash, but it's likely worth more to him for signage/sentimental value than that.

I bought a RARE 1946 Mercury pickup, which already had all the brakes and lights done, as well as the seat, with a nice running flathead, for $2000 - and that was a lot. The engine went a year later and I bought another, running flathead, for $300. They just don't bring a lot. A completely restored example, with shiny new paint, every new piece from the catalogue, running, driving, is barely worth $20K.

Good to see you are interested in the old iron - it'll alwasy be cool.

 

I bought a RARE 1946 Mercury pickup, which already had all the brakes and lights done, as well as the seat, with a nice running flathead, for $2000 - and that was a lot. The engine went a year later and I bought another, running flathead, for $300. They just don't bring a lot. A completely restored example, with shiny new paint, every new piece from the catalogue, running, driving, is barely worth $20K.

Good to see you are interested in the old iron - it'll alwasy be cool.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, after all it's only an old truck. That being said, last year some idiot paid around $40 grand for a not perfectly restored "47 Dodge 1/2 ton p/u at a Barrett-Jackson circus!

 

remember -- they only made Plymouth truck back then for 5 yeas(35-40). Even if you had to get a Dodge truck to finish, stay with the Plymouth. They are going for crazy prices around here. As far as brakes there are all kinds of options, disk all the way around, disk frount only and with the stock eng the stock brakes will be good enough. Just figure when you get to the rearend your dealing with tapered axles and they can be a bear to get off. You will need a special puller, Most old timers that worked on Doges or Internationals will have one.

 

Around here they are 30,000 and higher. even 20,000 is more than you will have in it if you can do the work, if you farm everything out then you need to buy one thats done. I did an International, used 4 parts trucks and drove it for 30 years before I redid it and put more power and better running gear last year and am still running the stock brakes.

 

I appreciate everyones advice, does anyone else have an opinion on what this truck is worth. I know they made about 6,000 of them in '39. All the work would be done by me, that's why it's a project after all.

 

Welcome to the HAMB. If you get that truck please post your work.

 

you wrote the guy wants to keep the truck, which means it's value means nothing, you will have to find out what it will take to buy it [from him] and then decide if it is worth it to you to buy it.

 

Some damn good advice right there. Well said.

 

I understand its going to be tough to get the truck from him. He has had the truck for over 20 years from what my parents have told me and it has been outside all those years. I am wondering what you guys think would be a fair price for it, I have a number in mind but really don't have anything to go off of. I think I still stand a chance with the truck if I stop by once in a while and show him it wasnt just a spur of the moment idea to try and buy a project. He knows the truck is hard to come by and was surprised how much I knew about them. So if you guys could just tell me what you think is a fair price for myself and him I would appreciate it, I dont want to insult him or overpay. Thanks!
Kyle

 

I paid $1,800 for this one 3 years ago. It had a ***le and plates, which is worth a lot. Not much rust but not running. Would have needed everything from a mechanical standpoint.

I thought it was a good deal in this part of the country.

 

I'll walk away from something if the owner won't put a price on it, better than insulting or over paying. You can't buy it and sell it too.

 

Worth every bit of $1800 in my mind.

 

If the trucks not for sale keep looking for something else.

If you offer more than it's worth he may parts with it but you will be in the hole.

It's not the only one. HRP

 

I wouldn't push him. Work on him. Meaning, visit often and try to win his trust in you. It may take some time but, if your the only one who shows serious interest, you will most likely be the one he finally sells it to. I was a skinny, afro headed, ripped jeans wearing teenager back in the early 70s. One afternoon driving around in my 60 Plymouth Valiant I came across two 50s Chevys in a driveway. I was smitten! Just had to have them. I had stopped and was looking at them from the street when the owner came out and was a bit pissed and wanted to know what I was looking at. It took me a year to get him from they"re not for sale to finally letting me buy them. I was the only nut that bothered him enough to finally sell them to get rid of me! It may just work for you. So, I say go slow. Work on him. Give it time.
Dom

 

Great advice here. It sounds like this truck has been a fixture for his business (for 20 years). I am certain that it is conversation piece for his customers and has been for years. He probably has been asked about it thousands of times. You need to go SLOW and you may get the truck years from now.

I would start looking for another truck. I agree that the plymouth is sweet but if you think he would part with it for $500-1000, you are dreaming. It means soooo much more from a marketing standpoint.

 

Displayed prominately as it is, in front of the business, and with the sign perched on it, it seems to play a big part in the iden***y/recognition of the business.
Unlikely he/she will sell.
Don't limit yourself to one p/u, there are many out there..that can be bought.
First buy, exciting times ahead.
Good luck

 

Thanks Bobw, seems like your the first person to give a straight answer to my question . Its funny you said you bought yours for 1800, that was actually the # I had in mind myself. I do understand it isnt likely he will sell it, but I can sure try to get him to! Even if he decides to sell he will probably ask a lot for it. For those saying to move on, this isnt my only option just one that's close to home which I have always really liked. Just thought I would see what people would value it at. Some other pickups I have in mind are a 37-39 chevy, 39-40 dodge, 58-59 chevy apache napco 4X4 (another tough to find truck) or an 80's k10.
Kyle

 

What?,,it seems to me every reply was a straight answer,,maybe not what you want to hear! HRP

 

15 to 18 is probably right ,but if u do the work yourself u should get away with less money than u qouted on your updates. one thing about it buy something u like not what someone talks u into. good luck

 

I think everyone who replied gave a straight answer, just maybe not the one you wanted to hear.

Edit, HRP beat me to it.

 

This

 

Everyone's answers were very helpful and definitely a reminder that it will be tough to be able to get the truck. The price was just one of my main questions I was having a hard time getting info about. Its good to know in terms of parts that I am aiming high. I do appreciate everyones responses because every bit of it is a big help.

 

The other problem is that you are asking members from all over the country and world to put a value on the truck. In Wisconsin, running, that truck is probably worth $3k because most all of our old stuff is rusted away. But in AZ or TX, that truck might be worth $1k because there are alot of old, straight trucks.

 

Trust me, I would pay whatever for it.... but I'm a kid on a budget and whether I get this truck or another, it will be my first project. I probably should have only posted a pic of the truck and said "whats it worth" but I went into to detail about the truck and my plan for it and got myself cornered.

 

If the guy said he doesn't want to sell the truck it doesn't matter what anyone here 'thinks' its worth.

I really don't get these "what's it worth" threads...

BTW good luck to the OP on finding a good project... Decide what you really want, save your money, and buy the BEST example of that particular vehicle. Lots of times a 'cheap' project is anything but...

 

Whats not to get, I have searched online and found NOTHING about their value unrestored, so I posted a thread asking peoples opinions. Even if I cant get this truck, what happens if I find and identical plymouth for sale and still need to get an idea on the value, at least I would know ahead of time. So far the thread has been a + because I saw what someone paid for a truck in similar condition.
Kyle

 

Get yourself an old car price guide. It will explain value of almost all cars, their conditions and approximate values.