I looked at a truck for sale today but didn't have a whole lot of time to go through things. Its a 53-56(not sure exact year), had 8 cylinder engine. The truck only has 400 miles on it, the story is the bed got damaged during shipping to the customer and someone ended up buying it intending to fix it but didn't. So it basically was a brand new truck, 100% original, but has been sitting 50 plus years so has all the rust in usual places. Lots of the panels will need to be replaced or fixed, bed isn't bad, just dented on the one side. I don't know why they didn't fix it, its such a shame.

So my question is how much should I offer, or what is a good price to pick this up for? I thought it might even be good for research or historical purposes to document things like how it came from the factory. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

What a neat and rare find.
So much depends on how much repair it needs, pictures, if possible, would be very helpful.

 

That's an awesome find! Pictures would really be great.

Where was the truck stored? (indoors or out?)

 

sounds like an urban legend

 

I saw the truck, it says 4xx miles on it, no urban legend. Looking at interior and under hood it was clear it was all original also. Truck was stored outdoors, it would clearly need to be completely redone. I didn't have a camera with me, I was there looking at something else so I didn't have lots of time to go through it. I remember the steering wheel had the red emblem in the middle so it should be a 53? I just need a rough ballpark to negotiate, and I'm not really sure what to do with it. I am doing a 55 over and don't really need another project, it just really caught my attention being such low miles and a cool story. The guy didn't say he wants a fortune for it or anything, I told him to let me know what he wants for it when I go back next week for something else and want to know a good estimate. Thanks

 

Without lots of good pictures it`s too hard to say with any certainty, not enough to go on.
If it`s been stored outside that pretty well kills any high dollar amount it could have been worth depending on how much this truck needs to be put back in shape.
What ever you feel comfortible with, you can start at something like $500/1,000, I don`t know what trucks sell for in your area. It`s easier to come up but not to go lower after making an offer. If it`s possible try to get a feeling of what`s on his mind, he may tell you after a while. You don`t want to pay too much and don`t want to insult the seller either.
Check it over well before buying as the motor maybe seized, the brakes toast and look real carefully for rust. Better yet make a quick estimate and double it before you make your offer.
In the end it comes down to offering what ever you think it`s worth and YOU want to spend.