Value of LWB in future???

[Dustmaker65]

I have been looking for parts trucks and possibly another project for my son. What I have been seeing is a few nice Long Wheel Base trucks very reasonable.

What are your opinions on the value of LWB C10's in the future? You don't see many that are for sale and have been totally rebuilt in my area?

[Coley]

Lwb's hold their own and are still good investments.
Swb's seem to still bring the most on direct comparison....but I always base my value judgements on overall condition, options and type (ie: 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton or longhorn).
Always start with a nice straight, solid body...everything gets easier after that criteria has been met.
My two bits.
Coley

[cdowns]

if you want to invest for the future buy us savings bonds

[leddzepp]

Condition of the truck will be a bigger determining factor in value than LWB vs SWB.

[leftybass209]

Okay, what I am about to state is not MY opinion, but rather, my observation of many car shows and country trips. LWB trucks aren't as desirable as SWB trucks. Many of those that have them may not be interested in fixing up something that isn't what they really want. From what I've seen here in northern California, there are many more restored SWB trucks compared to LWB trucks. I agree with Ledzepp that condition dictates a lot more than bed length. However, two identical condition vehicles one being LWB, and one being SWB, I've seen the SWB trucks sell faster, not for more necessarily, just quicker.

[Greasey Harley]

In this area, SWB trucks bring double or triple what lwb trucks bring, if you can find a short bed. Fleet sides cost a bit more than step sides, and way harder to find.

I can buy long beds for cheap.
I can still buy honest, original paint 2wd LWB trucks for $500-$800 and load them on the trailer or spend $800-$1000 and drive them home.
A solid, running, decent, 2wd long bed will fetch $1500-$1800 (these are nice trucks).
Long box 4x4s bring a bit more, than their 2 wheel drive brethren.


A running short bed, in any condition, will bring at least $3500, IF you can find one. Usually they are North of $4500. Most short beds I find are "body work done" trucks, meaning full of rust, patches, Bondo, and covered in primer. ...or they are $16,000-$20,000 finished trucks.

2wd long bed pickups are kind of like classic 4 door cars.
Just my $.02

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Greasey Harley

In this area, SWB trucks bring double or triple what lwb trucks bring, if you can find a short bed. Fleet sides cost a bit more than step sides, and way harder to find.

I can buy long beds for cheap.
I can still buy honest, original paint 2wd LWB trucks for $500-$800 and load them on the trailer or spend $800-$1000 and drive them home.
A solid, running, decent, 2wd long bed will fetch $1500-$1800 (these are nice trucks).
Long box 4x4s bring a bit more, than their 2 wheel drive brethren.


A running short bed, in any condition, will bring at least $3500, IF you can find one. Usually they are North of $4500. Most short beds I find are "body work done" trucks, meaning full of rust, patches, Bondo, and covered in primer. ...or they are $16,000-$20,000 finished trucks.

2wd long bed pickups are kind of like classic 4 door cars.
Just my $.02

^^^This pretty well sums it up.^^^
Don't get me wrong I like long bed trucks, they just are not as popular or valuable to most buyers. Like you said "What I have been seeing is a few nice Long Wheel Base trucks very reasonable." You saw them for sale reasonable priced and still walked away and didn't buy them. And that was the asking price. Probably could have got them cheaper if you were a real buyer negotiating a bottom dollar sale price.
J.M.O.

[Lanman1972]

Calling them a 4 door seems a little Harsh!

[davepl]

Short beds are worth more than long beds and likely will remain so. Either is a terrible investment. Buy what you like, prepare to take it in the shorts if you ever sell it, and be OK with that.

[EARNHARDT#3]

With so many long beds being parted out and others being shortened I believe at some point they may become more scarce than we think. It's hard to say though. I have a long bed because that's what I found that fit my requirements. My requirement was that I wanted a 67-72 that needed work but looked half decent and was driveable. It didn't matter to me what motor or transmission was in it. I would've actually preferred a SWB step side with a V8 and an automatic. I've got a LWB fleetside 6 manual LOL. But when I saw my truck I fell in love with the looks of it. And the only thing keeping it from being legal was the brake lights didn't work and the wipers had a mind of their own. Okay I've rambled enough. Just my story ��

[justin4260]

i personal like the long beds and the short beds the same. but i think if it came down to long bed or short bed stepped i would chose the stepside. i have a 70 long bed and i hope i never sell it. now i just ned to get a stepped SWB to go with it.

[70 shop truck]

I'll start by saying I have a lwb and I love it. If I had purchased a swb I'm sure I would have loved that just as much as the one I have. I don't really know if any car, unless it was the museum piece from another thread, should be looked at as an investment. I, like most here, do as much as my own labor as possible and these trucks can eat you up fast just on the parts bill. Not as fast as a boat or a airplane but mine takes more than it's worth to any blue book value. I know I will never get back all of the money I put into it (not what I tell the wife). The true value gained is by the time I get to spend with friends and family working and driving it. When it comes to that it really doesn't matter if it's a lwb or a swb truck. Just my thoughts.

[Coley]

As stated....its primarily about condition.
Anyone who doubts that can put their swb up against the black low mile '67 lwb GMC recently posted and see who comes out ahead value-wise.
As for equating lwb's to 4 door cars...lol....well, not valid as a comparison at all.
Your odds of making a 4 door chevelle into a 2dr hardtop LS6 are.....well, go ahead give it a whirl and post up the project pics...lol
All Good
Coley

[REEDS 72]

The value will probably stay pretty good because people are going to want them to cut for swb NOT MINE.

[oldertruckfan]

as you look at different posts you'll see an overwhelming amount of swb fans. No doubt, being still the most popular model offered still today. Those of us that prefer the 3/4 ton long beds, will still have a market though. I think pricing will go up. There is always going to be that guy that wants a long bed. Load capacity will always be a needed item to a lot of us.

[richards72chevy]

I think both will go up in price in the future but the lwb will never exceed the value of a swb.

[GRX]

Used to be the opposite of how things are now. Stubby trucks were hard to get rid of unless they were a step side. SWB are popular at the moment so command more money ... for now.

Trends change. They always do.

[Vintage Windmills]

Its like stocks, you want to look at % gain, not price per share. Trucks are probably less of a gamble though

With the higher initial cost of most swb's they aren't necessarily a better investment. Its about % appreciation, and to win there, it seems originality or restored to original specs is key. Also 4x4's in lwb or swb and bbc swbs are probably the best investments due to the limited production numbers and % destroyed through the years.

[simplepeddler]

I am not totally convinced any are "bad"investments.........but one should try and buy after the work is done.....

You can't replace the feeling it must be to rebuild one for yourself.......(I could not).....that is the original owners "pay back" ...

But once redone the sell price is usually a pretty good deal for the buyer and puts you in a spot to at least not lose money.

But we are seeing them all go up year after year

[special-K]

You will always get what you paid back out of any version of these trucks if you buy it right and keep it up. Keep it long enough and you will get more. Isn't that all that matters? If you are an investor talk to a broker. We are just truck guys

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Coley

Lwb's hold their own and are still good investments.
Swb's seem to still bring the most on direct comparison....but I always base my value judgements on overall condition, options and type (ie: 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton or longhorn).
Always start with a nice straight, solid body...everything gets easier after that criteria has been met.
My two bits.
Coley

I concur completely.