What TF happened to square prices in the US?

[1957 Chief]

Agree with the comments here. They have def went up around here astronomically. Like was said, the LS swap ability has kicked the door open for making these more modern, and more appealing.

And yes the OBS trucks are right behind.....better get em while you can.

Bubba

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by ACS

I was just looking at GMT400’s the other day. Getting harder and harder to find original trucks that someone hasn’t messed with.

GMT400's were the truck to have when I was in high school, I've always wanted one and never owned one. I've been looking for a good example for a while.

But, "messed with" is right: even the 454SS models I have seen are far from original. Something about these truck brings out the homebrew artiste in their owners.

Perhaps it is aftermarket lag in supplying parts to restorers, I guess that might have been how square enthusiasts felt 20-30 years ago, too.

[52napco]

1 word sums it up.... HYPERINFLATION... as the dollar goes down prices go up.

[Greg58]

I drove by Restore A Musclecar in Lincoln NE. yesterday, and noticed that the lot is full of square bodies.
Remarked to my son that they must be speculating! Or they are seeing a trend!
Greg

[Redneck Rydes]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Agree with the comments here. They have def went up around here astronomically. Like was said, the LS swap ability has kicked the door open for making these more modern, and more appealing.

And yes the OBS trucks are right behind.....better get em while you can.

Bubba

If you are right on the OBS,I am going to keep mine,original owner,original paint SWB

[legendman]

You want sticker shock, take a look at this instragram page.

https://www.instagram.com/c10sales/

[Shugalou]

Do you guys think a short box step side square with a wood bed is more valuable than a regular short box? They seem to be more rarer in my area.

There is a parts shop close to me called 'Bills Trucks' and he only deals with old chevy trucks. They have seen a big increase for the squares over the last couple of years.

The good thing is it makes putting money into it a bit easier knowing you might be making some if you ever part with it.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Shugalou

Do you guys think a short box step side square with a wood bed is more valuable than a regular short box? They seem to be more rarer in my area.

All personal preference of course. Ask me on different days of the week which I like better and I will give you a different answer.

I do think that since it was the last generation of wood bed trucks (GM had a wood shop on 1987?) that they will become a little more desirable, if just for nostalgia reasons. But who knows. When people see mine they think I cut out the floor and put the wood in myself.

[kipps]

Originally Posted by Shugalou

Do you guys think a short box step side square with a wood bed is more valuable than a regular short box? They seem to be more rarer in my area.

If you have a wood bed step side, have the ability to make and keep it looking nice, and if it fits your goals for the truck, then sure.

The primary fallacy to watch out for, is treating the truck as a collector's item only. Build the truck like you want it, not based solely on some future sale value. If you want it in original condition and fitment, then go ahead. But if you want some other configuration, don't hesitate on that either. I've seen the collector market drop out on a number of other restoration-based hobbies, and folks were left sitting on tractors and vehicles that were quickly dwindling in value. Don't pin your hopes and your retirement on something as fickle as other collectors. Enjoy the truck for what it is now, and don't worry about future value.

[57NAPCO]

Talk about Blazers



https://www.restoreamusclecar.com/vehicles

Originally Posted by Greg58

I drove by Restore A Musclecar in Lincoln NE. yesterday, and noticed that the lot is full of square bodies.
Remarked to my son that they must be speculating! Or they are seeing a trend!
Greg

[MalibuSSwagon]

Ok thats just stupid. 19k for a rusty roller 72 K5???? c'mon now.

https://www.restoreamusclecar.com/ve...evrolet-blazer

[Nick_R_23]

It’s going to happen. There’s a combination of fewer of these around every year, people that bought one new and want the nostalgia, people whose parents/grandparents had one and they’re old enough to afford one, junkyards aren’t keeping older cars around as long as they used to, and more aftermarket availability helps kick off the demand even more. There was a time when cars like Camaros, Chevelles, GTOs, Trans Ams, Mustangs, Chargers, Challengers, etc, were littered in the junkyards and could barely be given away. Now, you’re lucky to afford a rusty hulk, but that’s how they come full circle.

The cycle has already been in place for the 88-98 GMT400 series trucks, as these are already well into the 25 year “Classic” territory. SCSB’s, Crew Cabs, and very clean or low mileage trucks are already pulling premiums. The 99-06 GMT800 series is creeping upon this territory also. Now would be a good time to buy a few SCSB’s while the prices are reasonable, and sit on them. In another 10-15 years, 07-13 GMT900’s will be in high demand also.

It will be interesting to see what stays in demand after 50 years. There will obviously be the currently available retro line of Camaros, Challengers, Chargers, and Mustangs. GM, Ram, and Ford trucks will probably be desirable, although I think the restoration craze will be focused more on Crew Cabs. I think the Chevy SS, and Chrysler 300 will be good candidates. There’s not much else that sticks out in my mind as ‘performance’, or having any kind of collector value for the hot rod crowd. Too many FWD offerings available.

[MalibuSSwagon]

There's already "current classics". Look at CTS-V wagons. They are all selling for no less than their original retail price. It seems the muscle car price trend has affected anything limited edition with a V8.

[kipps]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

There's already "current classics". Look at CTS-V wagons. They are all selling for no less than their original retail price. It seems the muscle car price trend has affected anything limited edition with a V8.

The Trailblazer SS is going the same route. Clean examples of those are worth quite a bit.

[LEEVON]

You don't find '69 Camaros and '32 Fords in barns anymore. It's the next evolution, square bodies are still "available". A huge part of the classic/hot rod scene has moved to trucks. The shows are getting bigger, builders bigger, budgets bigger. Naturally.

[dagnabbitt]

It's the cheapest way into a V8 project. Squares are the muscle cars of the era.

[72c20customcamper]

My son worked a Toyota during the cash for clunkers program it actually hurt seeing nice trucks and cars being scrapped . My son personally had to destroy a real nice first generation Dodge Cummins . They poured something into the crankcase till it seized.

Lots of Chevy trucks too.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

My son worked a Toyota during the cash for clunkers program it actually hurt seeing nice trucks and cars being scrapped . My son personally had to destroy a real nice first generation Dodge Cummins . They poured something into the crankcase till it seized.

Lots of Chevy trucks too.

That's o bummer

[69heavychevy]

Originally Posted by truckin 79

Finding good used parts for squares is pretty difficult to come by as well. There are usually 3-4 new squares at the junkyard and are stripped as quick as they come in. I will say LMC Truck has pretty much any Chevy Square part you need all except maybe delay wiper module. I was talking to a guy at the junkyard and he said that alot of these trucks end up in Mexico. They love trucks down especially 2wd trucks. I can understand someone wanting to take these vehicles on as a project, so much room in engine bay, standard cab interior easy to replace and low maintenance

That guy at the junkyard didn't have a clue what he was talking about...Short bed squares are dime a dozen in Mexico. The latest trend is car flippers going to Mexico and buying up short beds, getting all the body work done there and bringing them back into the states and selling them for an 8-10k profit.

[69heavychevy]

That's o bummer [/QUOTE]

I see what you did there...you're a clever one.
I loved cash for clunkers, I got 3k for my hooptie that on a good day was worth 1.5k.
I see good squares get scrapped for $500 these days. The point is it doesn't matter if you give someone 3k or 500, if they don't want the car they're going to scrap it for whatever they can get.

[Shugalou]

Originally Posted by kipps

If you have a wood bed step side, have the ability to make and keep it looking nice, and if it fits your goals for the truck, then sure.

The primary fallacy to watch out for, is treating the truck as a collector's item only. Build the truck like you want it, not based solely on some future sale value. If you want it in original condition and fitment, then go ahead. But if you want some other configuration, don't hesitate on that either. I've seen the collector market drop out on a number of other restoration-based hobbies, and folks were left sitting on tractors and vehicles that were quickly dwindling in value. Don't pin your hopes and your retirement on something as fickle as other collectors. Enjoy the truck for what it is now, and don't worry about future value.

Right on Kipps great advice. My truck is being build the way I want - bit by bit. It's lowered with a 4/6 drop, it has my logo on the side and fixing it up as I go.

[Benny-]

Well, what do you guys think now? Been over a year since the last post. Prices seem to still be climbing. I'm currently having the "do I build it or sell it?" dilemma with my 78 GMC K15 Shortbed. I've got about $2k in it which includes the original purchase price and some fixing up. Drove it for almost a year and the head gasket blew on me and it's been sitting. Teenagers and guys in their 20s can't seem to get enough of these trucks. Kid at my work offered me $5k for the way it sits now, non-running.

[44th Miss Inf]

I’m about to get rid of a few of mine (plan to keep 2 and my 67 Camaro) so my wife and daughters dont have to deal with in when that time comes. Also getting rid of several of my original muskets, etc, and wife and I plan to travel and see a few things while we are still able.
Its getting where I can’t work on them, but luckily my middle daughter has shown an interest and I’m trying to give her a crash course along with helping the younger generation youth around here with vehicles while I can.

It seems to be a sellers market at the moment

[Shugalou]

Lately I've been thinking that the gas prices might send the value of these down and any other old v8 that isn't fuel efficient.

[5Tractorguy]

I've noticed prices have come down some (I generally scan through Facebook marketplace and buy/sell square body groups for 1-Ton and 3/4-Ton stuff). Don't follow big auctions or what restored/built trucks go for...

I wanted a C30 crew cab and couldn't find a decent one for under 10-12K last year, now one can be had for 5-8K+/-.

All depends upon where you look, still plenty of running and driving 4-6K squares out there.