Buy a Classic Chevy Truck
Sitting in someone's driveway, pasture, barn or backyard (just waiting for you to find) is the classic Chevy truck you always wanted. All you have to do now is find it and make the deal to buy it. However, before you start searching and begin to make your deal, you need to know how to buy a classic Chevy Truck.
Contents
Steps
- Research the kind of classic Chevy truck you are looking for. Go to car club web sites, specialty books and truck magazines. These tips from aftermarket suppliers will help you in choosing the right classic Chevy truck.
- Your research should tell you if there are any features that add to the value of the truck. An example would be choosing between an early 1950s 5-window pickup and a 3-window cab.
- Find out what kind of mechanical problems are related to a particular year and make.
- See which body areas tend to develop rust.
- Discover whether there are readily available body parts and engines. If there are, where can you get them?
- Decide on the level of classic truck you want. In other words, how much work and expense are you willing to take on?
- If you are doing a frame-off classic Chevy truck restoration, it would be different than if you wanted a truck that can be put on the road while you fix it up.
- Understand that your search for that classic Chevy truck will most likely begin on Internet sites such as E-Bay and Auto-Trader.
- Know what it's worth before you find it. Check out magazines such as 'Hemmings Classic Auto or Hemmings Motor News. They deal only with classic American cars and trucks.
- Always check the local newspapers and the monthly car sales magazines at newsstands.
- Control your elation. Sitting in front of you is that classic Chevy truck you have always wanted. Before you begin haggling with the owner, do a close inspection of the truck.
- Look for signs of accidents and frame damage. Begin by standing back and looking at the truck from all angles. Does it sag in the middle? Does it seem like the back wheels don't line up with the front wheels?
- Keep looking for other difficulties. Check and make sure the doors and windows work. Check for body damage. Look for rust at the corners of the cab, under the wheel wells, the floor of the cab and the gas tank.
- If the truck is not running, see if all of the parts are there and if it is drivable.
- Check to see if the owner has a clear title.
- Begin negotiations with the owner. Discuss the condition of the truck and the price. You already know how much you can afford.
- Don't be afraid to walk away if the owner is asking too much. Nothing can sour ownership like knowing you paid too much.
- Agree with the current owner on the purchase price.
- Make arrangements for transfer of the title.
Tips
- A frame-off restoration project requires space, tools and time. A street-ready truck that you can license for daily use requires less initial investment of space, time, skills and money.
- When you begin the physical search, take a friend that can act as the voice of reason when your desire overrides common sense.
- Know how much you are willing to pay for it as is.
Warnings
- Early trucks often didn't come with corrosion protection. Look for any areas that road salt and water could accumulate and cause rust.
- Trucks or pickups are vehicles that were used for work, so there can be damage to the frame from overloading.
