Dodge Truck Values

[Vintrader]

I have noticed a few comments about the values of Pilot House Trucks over the last few weeks in other threads so I thought I would post on this subject.

I have Purchased, Owned and Sold a number of these Great Trucks over the years and while they do not bring what a Ford or Chevrolet in the same condition will. I do think values are on the rise. I sold a very nice 1949 One Ton on ebay a few weeks back for $8900 while I thought that was a fair price, if it where a Ford or a Chevrolet that year and in the same condition, it would have gone for like 10k - 12k or more. There is a very, very nice 1949 Half Ton listed on ebay right now. Current bid is $8000 there is no reserve, this is a great price if you want a truck that is Road and Show Ready. It will sell to the highest bidder. This truck has been done right, not like the red one from Texas. Someone has alot invested. It should be worth at least 15k but my guess is it won't top 10k. Just to be Clear, this is not my truck. I did not list it or know who did. I think it is a good Real Life Lesson in the values of these trucks. LET'S WATCH AND SEE WHERE IT GOES. Any Comments. Dutch

By the way.....The red truck in Texas that is listed for 12k. I saw on ebay back in Janurary and posted it to the Trucks for Sale Page of this forum, it is still there. Someone could have bought it then for Half the Price it is now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300129521652&rd=1,1

[Guest aunteeks]

Dutch,

Just took my "52 B-3-C down to the insurance agent for pictures. I thought the value to be somewhere around the $4000 range. The truck is a good driver with 50 plus years of bumps and bruises. I was surprised when the agent suggested the value was closer to the $8000 range. A complete restoration like the one on e-bay was valued at around $20,000. I know the price guides are just that and I've never had a check fall out of one, but there must be some basis for the figures shown. On the other hand I guess they're worth only what someone will pay. JMHO

John

[Young Ed]

Wow I wonder if I have mine under insured then?

[bach4660]

There was also a green 50 One ton on Ebay June 23rd that was listed with an appraisers letter stating it was worth $20,000, but the bidding stopped at $9000, which is only $100 off of what Dutch sold his for.

[Vintrader]

Dutch,

Just took my "52 B-3-C down to the insurance agent for pictures. I thought the value to be somewhere around the $4000 range. The truck is a good driver with 50 plus years of bumps and bruises. I was surprised when the agent suggested the value was closer to the $8000 range. A complete restoration like the one on e-bay was valued at around $20,000. I know the price guides are just that and I've never had a check fall out of one, but there must be some basis for the figures shown. On the other hand I guess they're worth only what someone will pay. JMHO

John

John, Value for insurance should all ways be as high as possible, What would it take to replace your truck? This is even more important if you have done a full restoration. It is so easy to spend 15k and up to do it right. But if you had to sell it would you be able to get it? The best way to look at it, I think is to do what ever you like to make you happy. Insure it to the max. and enjoy the ride. The Value Guides I have seen are about 20% - 30% higher than in Real Life Transactions. If you doing a full restoration to make money on a Dodge Truck, you best think again. Also on the subject of insurance, you can get some great coverage for very cheep if you go into it the right way. But maybe that is another thread. Dutch

[Guest aunteeks]

Dutch,

I've come to the conclusion my truck is worth more at the bottom of the cliff than it is at the top. I think you are right about doing what we like to them. The enjoyment of having an antique truck and the friendships that develop are far greater than the money value someone places on it.

[Vintrader]

So I was off by $400

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&viewitem=&item=300129521652&rd=1,1

[48WingNut]

Well worth the money I might add. Actually it was probably worth the $12,000 that the other one was listed for.

[Vintrader]

Comments on what the group think's it would cost to restore a truck to this degree?

Dutch

[Reg Evans]

Paging Jim Shepherd.......Will Jim Shepherd please come to the forum.

[Jim Shepard]

OK, OK. Jeez! Can't a guy go off to the mountains for a few days horseback riding? Anyway, I'm assuming you want my input regarding the cost of restorations. I spent a little over $15,000 on what I think is a very good but, partial, restoration. By that I mean that since I didn't do anything to the motor except paint it (I didn't even remove it), nothing to the drive line, except clean it up, and nothing to the frame except clean and paint it, it was only partially restored. Had I overhauled the motor, completely disassembled and restored the suspension components, and sandblasted the frame before painting it, I could have easily spent another $5,000. As it was, I disassembled and sandblasted every body part, scrubbed every nut and bolt and washer, replaced all the rubber (except body mounts), replaced all the flat glass, replaced the wireing harness, bought Bruce Horkey's oak bed kit and skid strips, Roberts' interior kit and tail lights (and other misc. pieces that would work).

I have it insured for $20,000 replacement cost. I paid $2,500 for truck in 1996. Do I think I'd get $15,000 for it. Not really. But, I never went into it to make a buck. I wanted to drive it and, as my Grandfather had one, it was more of a sentimental journey than anything else. I hope to pass it on to my son or grandson. As it's not for sale, I don't spend a lot of time wondering if I got a good deal. I spend a lot of time driving it...

[Jim Shepard]

OK, I forgot something that I am sure someone will point out. The more of the restoration work one can do, the more one saves. Since I was not interested in learning the body and fender trade, I elected to have all that done by a professional. Consequently, my body and paint job cost me almost $10,000 (not counting the sandblasting). I'm not sure how much of that I could have saved by trying to do it myself but, it sure wouldn't have turned out as nice. It is a very excellant paint job and almost everyone who sees it comments about how nice the paint is. So, I'm guessing for me to have done the quality of job I payed for, I'd still be in some program somewhere learning the trade and getting the experience. Maybe, in another 10 years, I might have turned out as good a job as the guy who did it and had the 10 years experience. But, who knows?