1952 GMC Pickup

[Brock Moore]

I have a 1952 GMC Pickup that has 54K orginial miles. My dad and I started this restoration when I was 16 and it has been apart since 1994. The frame has been blasted and repainted. I have all the pieces and new rubbers and glass for everything. It has been stored inside the whole time. The only thing mechically wrong was a pilot bearing where transmission and engine come together. The body has minial damage and rust. I'm throwing around the idea of either borrowing the money to get it back to originial as possible or SELLING??? My thought is I've kept it for 30 years now and it still is in pieces. Thoughts or Offers?

 

Thank You!

[diyer2]

To me the commitment isn't there being it's been 30 years. Sell It.

[Brock Moore]

True. 

[KARNUT]

My brother in law’s first car a 69 firebird convertible got him through high school. During college he worked at a body shop to get through college. He repainted the car. Now he’s 61 looking towards retirement and restoring that car. He always had a space in his garage for that car. I can’t wait to watch him do it. He’ll probably allow me hand him tools. If you have the space for it and just a little desire to do it go for it. Once it’s gone it’s over. I had my dream truck for 12 years. The last 5 internally debating selling it. A nephew begged me for years for it. He has it. I can see it, drive it when ever I want. As I said if there’s a chance it’s too soon.

[Brock Moore]

Thanks for the support.

[N.Penley]

Only you can be the judge but I would get it running and driving if I could afford to. A running vehicle will be worth more to anyone (including yourself).  Flip a coin and make a decision then tell the story to your grand kids one day.  you may be teaching them to drive in the truck if you keep it.  

Edited December 27, 2021 by N.Penley

[Supreme Pizza]

I would just store the vehicle in a garage, and forget about it for a while. If you don't have the money to work on it, I would not borrow the cash. If you NEED the money badly, sell it - but otherwise, just sit on it. Its not hurting anything, is it?

Edited December 27, 2021 by Supreme Pizza

[Truckboattruck]

Thing is with vehicles that old/rare unless you have good fabrication skills or a good in with a stash of parts getting it back together is going to be a very tall order. With more time it won't get easier. I almost bought a late 50's Apache from BAT a few months ago but decided against it for these reasons. It was in good shape and the price was right, but I don't want a museum piece. That's not meant to be condescending as if I don't appreciate vehicles in that category because I certainly do, I'm just not at a point in my life where I can collect something for the sake of collecting. If I ever am I'll probably spend the time and money differently all the same, but that's me.

[Enough]

If I had the space you seem to have and it were my grandfather's it would be a tough decision.  Do you have time or desire to see it back together ? Remember that it will have 1952 brakes, steering , and power unless you dive down the other rabbit hole of upgrading during the build. Do you keep it original and accept the mechanical limitations of that era or build it better, safer, and more likely to be driven with modern components ? You could spend the next year or so researching online about upgrades !

At 62 years old I am trying to convince myself I have one more build in me after 8 frame up restorations over the years. But then I plop my butt in the 2020 355 HP crew cab pickup with power everything and forget about it for a while....