Barn / Garage Find Value Needed

[11BEE]

My wife turned me on to a barn find 1954 Chevy 3100 pickup. This belonged to a man that went to our church and he was working on it for 5 years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He passed away last year and his wife is looking to sell his truck and wants it to go to a good home. She was impressed with the restore that my son and I did on his 1985 Nissan 300ZX and she offered the truck to us.

It has and Edelbrock crate motor in it, it has converted to an automatic (don't know what kind yet), Magnaflow full exhaust and has a new rear axle. Body is in pretty bad shape with no interior carpet and no side glass for the windows. The box has a big dent in it, but it did have fenders and running boards replaced. Tires are good and it runs smooth.

She has asked me to offer her a fair price and made me promise that my son and I would restore it. Once restored she has to have a ride. This was his dream and she wants it to be completed.

I need some help, what is a fair price to offer her?

Here are some pics.

[toesuf94]

Here was one in California, maybe close to your truck's condition body wise, but stock underneath - it went for $6000.
http://www.cars-on-line.com/58231.html

A Restored STOCK truck brings $19,500 or best offer.

A rodded truck with a 350 in it also brings $19,500 or best offer. http://www.cars-on-line.com/59023.html

In looking at your truck, the shape of the bed corner and the mess that you have there to begin with - $4,500 to 7,000 tops. You are really paying her for what has already been done: The crate motor and the tranny (if they work.), steering column, gauges, wheels and tires. That magnaflow exhaust wasn't cheap either. Is the frame done - as in all new bushings, brakes, paint and body mounts? If so, that truck needs the body work done, paint, glass and interior.

Be a great truck when done. I see Dolphin gauges, an Ididit steering column, newer wheels and tires, Corvette style master cylinder....if it moves under its own power, steers and stops...you have a great start there. Parts are easy to get and the truck is straightforward enough to be an easy resto.

[11BEE]

The frame has not been redone completely yet. I noticed some wear in the bushings and the interior has power seats out of a Buick. I know it is very rough and i anticipate a frame of restoration with full sand blasting and body work. I can do the body work and most of the other engine work. However I have not done one of these before, so the gauge pack is greek to me.

I was thinking of offering $3000 and seeing if she will take it.

The wife just approved me extending my garage and putting in a lift, so this will be the first restore done on that.

[Captain Awesome]

Up here in the northeast that body would be in GREAT shape.

The value would be higher here based on that.

What does the crate motor cost new? Think of that price and then add $1500 for the rest and you have a REALLY good deal and a good starting point for what could be a great restoration and a nice cause to do it for.

[shank0668]

$4000?

[GEEo]

I wunna have something like that RestoMod as my daily driver someday.

[11BEE]

Thanks everyone