I recently visited a salvage yard in my area annd came across a 1958 Custom Cab pick-up. The vehicle is in great shape, little to no damage to the body and runs. It has I believe a 292 Y block in it and has been upgraded. He wants $1500.00, is it worht it?

 

It sounds like a good start. $1500 is not bad, but you need to factor in how much you are willing to spend to get it in the condition you want. Are you keeping the engine? If not, then another will be a major cost. How about the title? Some states are pretty hard on no title vehicles. Good luck, John

 

Vehicle was tagged as resent as August of 2003. If I choose to change engines, I have a 400 in my garage that I am rebuilding to drop in it. Titles are no problem here in Georgia, the land of the Bubba trucks, Ha Ha, just kidding! I will probably restore it all tha way with help of an Antique auto club here in town.

 

If you are going to do a true restoration, trust me, the $1,500 for the truck will be 10% or less of the total cost. On the other hand, there's no point in spending an extra $500 up front if you don't have to.

Make sure all the parts are there before you buy, and figure out the cost of anything you'll have to replace or repair. We made two trips before buying.

On the first trip, we took along a sketch pad and made notes of anything that needed work. Things like, is the fender salvageable? If not, it might cost you $250 or $300 for a new one, or at least $50 to $100 for used ones you can restore.

On the second trip, we talked with the owner and discussed the list of items that needed work and the costs involved. That made it easier to get the price down.

I'd also ask to see it run and move on it's own power. If it runs OK, and is in good shape as you mentioned, I think $1500 is a fair price. If he can't get it running, offer something less, like $1000 or $1200, and see if you can save some on your initial expense. Good luck!

 

The short answer - if most of the parts are there and it isn't rusted, is YES, if you cross check e-bay prices. A non-damaged shortbed custom cab (big back window) truck on e-bay will go for $2,000 - $3500 + every time.

However, the real question is whether it is worth it to you. The purchase price of an old truck is a down-payment on the truck, not the real cost (note to recipient - sometimes you can use the "cheap" purchase cost to sell your spouse on the idea that its a cheap hobby that doesn't involve drinking - . . . .neither of which is true, of course). The first thing to do is decide if this is really the truck (or vehicle) you want to own, as the time, effort and dollars you will put into it probably will be pretty significant.

I bought a 59 F100 about a year ago, in good running condition (at least, it appeared to be - that's supposed to give some of you out there a chance to snicker). I have driven it locally since then, but in driving it, the problems are all coming out. Even though most of the problems are not that big, I've already put in several hundred bucks in parts (and have a big list of parts left to buy). The little things (spring bushings, battery tie downs, gaskets, rear main seal !!!) all add up pretty quickly.

The one comment I would pass along was that my plan was to buy the truck, immediately toss out the motor (292) and put in a "real" engine, you know, something with some real ummmmph. Like a 460, for example. But after driving the thing for awhile, I just flat out fell in love with the sound of a y-block. I have seen comments from others that liken the sound of a y-block to a harley - and I would agree. After driving it awhile, I decided to keep the 292 (hopefully with some modifications - really want a 4-barrel carb). If you decide to buy it, don't toss the y-block until you have spent some time driving it - cruising in town at about 2200 rpm it puts out the nicest sound - even the big boys with their turbo diesels give me the nod when they hear it - and some of the older ones look downright sad when I go by - like they are remembering when they had one too. Or maybe they're just feeling sorry that I didn't have $40,000 to spend on a truck like theirs.

EVERY time I take my little truck out someone walks up to me and comments how neat a truck it is. That's a good thing - when I've got less than $3,500 into it. Just driving it into town and back lifts my spirits - which is more than I can say for my daily driver. Any its just about the easiest to work on vehicle I've ever seen - a good beginner's hobbyist vehicle, or just a fun toy. However, chasing body parts could be a problem. I have a mental list of the location of all the 57 - 60 pickups in my county, but don't know if any of them would be for sale.

One final comment - the gearing, manual steering, ancient suspension, drum brakes, and 50 years worth of wear probably mean that you shouldn't expect to get out on the freeway and do battle with modern cars. These trucks weren't designed to do 75 miles an hour in bumper-to=bumper traffic, and you're taking your life in your hands if you do..... in my opinion. But they are fun to drive, and the money I spent on my truck was some of the best money I spent in years in terms of putting a smile on my face. Now if I could just find the cash for a 4-barrel manifold and an Edelbrock carb.....

 

Excellent price, boy-o, excellent price.
They usually go for Two to Three times that price.

Cheers
Colonel Flashman
Red '58 Mercury M-100 Truck
Blue '58 Mercury M-100 Panel Truck

 

I know that I am an old fart, but I can remember back in the mid 70's you could buy a builder for $50.00 and a lot of times they would just give it to you, to clear up their yard. But I guess times have changed and the older they are the valuable they become. Keep an eye on ebay. They do come around and that is where I found mine. (ck my gallery). It has the 223 6 cylinder and I am going to leave it completely stock for now. Best wishes to you.

 

I remember that samahi72!
Back in the 70's you could'nt give one of these trucks away! (57-60).
Nobody seemed to want them back then!
Now everybody & their grandmother are snatching them up!
Yes is'nt it funny how times have changed!

 

I would suggest getting the truck, but like others have said $1500 is the beginning point. Don't think that there is some chance that the engine is good, sharp, and won't need a rebuild. It will, and it will run around $1,500, and more depending upon what you want to do.
Last summer I went to a junk yard and bought a 292. Made the deal for $75. Then the yard owner showed and was ticked off that it was a running engine and he wanted $150. I protested and got it for 75. After teardown showed all the flaws, if it was running, then just barely. Ended up with only a good crank, block, and rods. But that was all I needed anyway.