Or someone who has the money but doesnt have the time for a project and wants to be able to get in and go, and maybe tinker here and there
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Squares Worth Big Bucks
- Thread starter Desert_K5
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This is where I'd be if I had the dough. My life nowadays doesn't permit me to spin wrenches like I used to.
I remember when you used to be a premium member!No pics. I’m not a premium member.
Does that make me old now?
I was a newbie when you were on here back then. Cool to see you around here!
This.
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I think what's happening is just a shift in popularity. 25-30 years ago you couldn't buy a nice 55-57 Chevy without digging deep. The age of guys that collected those is now on par with the guys collecting / driving squares now. (our age demo for the most part) I know I've spent money on things I could not afford back when I was younger. Now that I have a little more opportunity I'm trying to fulfill those dreams now.
I think there are 3 factors in play: inflation, the ever-increasing price of vehicles, plus the obvious change in public perception. In 2000, you could get a running square for $3k, with a high-trim new Silverado under $30k. By inflation alone, that would be $48.8k (63% increase), but today a new high-trim Silverado is $70k (133% increase). If that ratio holds true, buyers wouldn't flinch at giving $7k for a square with some issues. However, in the meantime decent examples have gotten rarer and puplic perception has swung from "old beater trucks" to "groovy collectible", probably doubling that again.
Take a stroll through the Bring a Trailer website. Pretty easy to get a gauge on the prices. Mint survivor trucks have the potential of pulling insane money as well as full tilt resto mod trucks.
Like a ‘85 K10 with 11k miles going for $75,000 miles with a 305! That’s the right amount of zeros on the number, not a typo.
That is crazy but it sold. Does that mean a 200k survivor truck is worth $55k? Not to me. There’s a big difference in condition between the two. But in the end it’s worth whatever nut job is willing to pay for it. If you would have told me someone paid $75k for a ‘85 K10 with a 305 I would have said no way. But there’s other examples on BAT that eclipse 40k and up.
Like a ‘85 K10 with 11k miles going for $75,000 miles with a 305! That’s the right amount of zeros on the number, not a typo.
That is crazy but it sold. Does that mean a 200k survivor truck is worth $55k? Not to me. There’s a big difference in condition between the two. But in the end it’s worth whatever nut job is willing to pay for it. If you would have told me someone paid $75k for a ‘85 K10 with a 305 I would have said no way. But there’s other examples on BAT that eclipse 40k and up.
Wunjee
Registered Member
BaT can get nutty prices. There was an Integra Type-R that went for like $114,000. For a Honda.. That's not even that rare. Sure most of them have been stolen and stripped and raced and crashed and stolen again but at the end of the day it's still a 1.8L 4-cylinder Honda from the late 90s...
It's just mind blowing what people will pay for a slice of nostalgia.
It's just mind blowing what people will pay for a slice of nostalgia.
Nostalgia is all we have left
So BaT is an oddity to me. Seems like it's a good place for guys with not much experience or ability to do stuff on their own but have the cash to buy into the hobby. It's kind of interesting the way it works with folks chiming in with solid constructive criticism or just wise-cracking comments. But man some stuff just doesn't seem real when it goes for big money.
Look at this one. It is listed as a 1974 K5 Blazer, treated to a little resto-mod treatment with a Vortec 5.7, 4L60e, updated interior with GMT800 front seats. Looks great. Truck went for $74,500.
Vortec-Powered 1974 Chevrolet K5 Blazer CST 4x4
Bid for the chance to own a Vortec-Powered 1974 Chevrolet K5 Blazer CST 4×4 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #72,955.
Look through the pics. A couple of sharp eyes in the comments noted the body didn't have rocker boxes underneath that should be there if it's a real 73-75 full vert truck. That leads to the fact the fuel fill is behind a door and not a cap on the body. Look closer at the drivetrain and it's got 10 bolts on both ends, later style "w" trans cross-member with 208 t-case. So which is it? Did the builder take the time to put all the later stuff on the old body or did they chop the half cab off an 80's truck and bolt on a round eye front clip with the full fiberglass top? I think you all know the route they took. The truck has an assigned vin from the state, despite having a '74 style vin tag.
I'm not saying it was a bad build. The work looks solid and it's cleanly done. But calling it a '74 even to the point of putting a '74 vin on an obviously later body is a bit suspect. The seller hit a home run on it.
Then take a REAL full convertible from 1975 with only 57 miles on it. Pure time capsule. An amazing truck that is an obvious museum piece. It went for $112,000.
How does that compare to a built truck that looks the part but isn't and is more modernized vs pure original?
It's hard to use BaT as a be all end all source for what values are. But it's highly visible and for some looks like fruit hanging out in front of sellers to go big or expect a windfall. When it really matters if two guys with more money than sense start bidding against each other to run up the price.
I could not sell my cucv in 2014 for 4k, now I would laugh at 4k.
Wunjee
Registered Member
That stripper with the 305 and the 3-speed over on Cars and Bids ended up going for $17,100.
On one hand I'm thinking that's a lot for an option-less truck with a 305 and a paintjob that looks half-decent at best, on the other I'm surprised it didn't go a lot higher.
On one hand I'm thinking that's a lot for an option-less truck with a 305 and a paintjob that looks half-decent at best, on the other I'm surprised it didn't go a lot higher.
That’s just the rich part of Houston.
RGV72BLAZER
1/2 ton status
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It makes us old!!
I remember ck5 being the first forum I ever found circa 2001. Good times. Life has dealt me a hand the passed year, but have some big projects coming up that may motivate me to re up my membership.
It's an oddity to me aswell. I know a few people who have bought and sold on BAT and they say its all real.
So what's a molested, non survivor, running project truck going for now?
I don't know but please let me have first dibs
I love the descriptions on BAT. "This truck was acquired by the seller in (insert date 3 months ago) with a clean title"
