I can get an old C10 for $500. It's a 250 w/ manual transmission. Rusty fenders, hood tries to fold in half when you shut it. Cab is usable but not great. Rear wheel arches are gone. Manual steering, manual brakes.
What is wrong with me! Why do I want this thing?! I work for a car lot, I can borrow a truck any time I need to without ever owning one. Damn this automotive disease!
I've got bad news. There is no cure.
LeMons?
I don't have time to adopt an old pickup, I REALLY don't have time to run LeMons.
Three on the tree?
do it.
That was the first year of the newer style pickups that Chevrolet ran forever.....There is now a following on the 1973-1978-ish GMC/Chevrolet trucks. Lots of guys like the round headlight look to them.
get a big block, big carb, headers, and melt tires.
my buddy bought a 1973 4x4 in 1978 that was the crustiest and rustiest truck I have ever seen. EVERY part is out there and pretty reasonable. (compared to Austin Healey's, that is)
You can buy a better example for not much more, unless you're an auto body tech. I've had a 76 K30, 81 C10, 85 C10, and an 86 C10, and I have a buddy who put a Caddy big block into an 81 c10 shorty rat. runs high 12's with 2.73's.
Money pit.
Why would you buy something so terminally rusty? You'll need to replace darn near every panel on the stupid thing, even if they do make cheapo Taiwan replacements. They made that same truck practically forever. Plenty of others to choose from. Don't waste your garage time welding a turd back together. The world is full of cheap, 2wd full size trucks if you look.
belteshazzar wrote: I What is wrong with me! Why do I want this thing?!
You can set my truck afire and roll it down a hill, but I still wouldn't trade you for a Coupe DeVille There's something women like about a pickup man.....
Oh, the memories. I drove a 73 C10 through high school (early 80's). My best friend's neighbor was an ex-mechanic for one of the NASCAR teams. He helped me build an older 283 with heads, solid race cam/lifters, higher compression, etc. The lope was insane on this thing. Long tube headers with Thrush glasspacks bolted directly to the collectors, no pipes. Loud would be a gross understatement. It was a dog out of the hole but anything over 4000 rpm's was a blast.
I agree with a few comments above. Drop in a used big block and enjoy. Cheap fun.
$500 is too much, IMO. That is...if the mental picture I've got based on your description matches up with the reality of it.
Clem
I brought up all the bad stuff. The frame looks great. It's clearly never been in so much as a fender bender. The doors fit and shut nicely. As I price out fenders a hood and rear wheel wells, I bet I can have the body presentable for $500 plus my time. I really like the short fleet box look. Just as wide as it is long.
I have a 385 and a 700r4 in the corner of my garage. I've been repeatedly tempted to put that in my '79 RX7, but maybe this pickup would be a more appropriate use.
In the end, what will it do that my P71 won't? Haul gravel? Somebody shoot me.
Ah...short wheel base, fleetside...now that's a different story. I would still say pass on it except that now I realize you've got a small block on deck...
Offer $300!
Or...go spend $300 on a home-made truckbed trailer and haul gravel with your P71...
Bang!
;)
Clem
Slam it, put a turbo on the 250 or better yet, get a 292-6 and put in it. I have seen a few 292's that can skin it back. Just a thought.
-Les
I'm not helping:
http://www.lmctruck.com/
You could practically build a new truck with that catalog......
Offer $300 and light up the rears when you drive it away, giggling like a little kid the entire time!
Then drop the 385 in it, drop it, paint it flat black with black wagon wheels and feel like pure evil when you drive it.
-Rob
I think you can find lots better examples for that money. I know there are more trucks here in TX, but you can find all kinds of running, sub-100k ranch trucks for $250.
$350, Supply your own engine and tranny: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/919057948.html
$350, complete but bad motor: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/882857444.html
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