Dear John,
I am an automotive appraiser in the Los Angeles area - These 1947 - 1955 Chevy
and GMCs are quite popular because they are very straightforward, easy-to-fix,
and simple to upgrade because there is so much available for them. I have seen
them priced from $6,000 running and driving restoration projects to $25,000 hot
rods with show paint (usually not my taste) and thumpin' V8 power. Best
upgrades are the later model 235 cu in six, 5-speed and disc brakes. 12 volts
and 15" wheels make a radio and tyres easier to find - there even is a kit to
put a Trubo 350 trans behind the stock six.
A clean, pretty-much-stock pickup should run about $12 - 15,000, with
deductions for any bad chrome or paint. This is what is killing car restoration
in major cities; $5000 paint jobs (plus body repairs), and $2,500 worth of
bumpers and grille!!! It also is why a really nice one with fairly fresh
cosmetics will be priced in the mid-twenties ($). People will actually pay more
for the safer cab corner windows, though I prefer the truck without.
Rick Feibusch
British Car Network
Venice Beach, California
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