The first "new car" ever in my family was a '53/54 5 window Chevy truck... I grew up in and around that truck, but it rusted to oblivion before I could drive it.
Now it began life on the farm then moved to "town" when the family finally convinced my great grandparents to sell the remote farm "you turn off the paved road and go for a bit" and move closer into civilization.
The truck was rarely washed and even more rarely waxed... in my memory it was a faded chalky dark blue... a "rat rod" before such a thing was considered cool.
Anyway, I have a hankering for such an animal... but I'd like to be able to use it in modern traffic around DC.
The few standard trucks I've driven seem to have 60-65mph as their top end... and mediocre brakes (at best).
The trucks on modern frames/ Mustang front axles tend to be 5 figures and up.
I'm looking at a couple of trucks that fall in the middle... a daily driver '54 with a period 265 4bbl V8/TH350 and a modern 3.08 rear... a bit crusty around the corners (and in satin black primer) but overall solid... but stock front axle and brakes. Now I've not driven a '54 but the seller says the brakes are much better than the '50 he owned and that he found them adequate for daily driver use (in the country, not in city traffic). He also mentioned the front end needed a kingpin set... but that he hadn't done it since he was wavering on a Mustang II IRS before deciding to go with a more modern car as his driver. Let's say price "as is" is around $5500
The other is a '52 truck that is even more solid, has fresh shiny blue paint (but with some "shelf wear"), 350/350, Camaro front clip, discs, ps, pb, tilt wheel, etc... but has never been completely reassembled after paint (wonder why?) and is being sold "not running" with an asking price of about $8000. I couldn't replicate the paint job on the #1 truck for the price difference, but then I likely wouldn't (I was thinking of a cheap quick respray in a satin navy blue rather than the satin black)
There is a 3rd truck... similar to #1 above but with the original 4sp hooked to a period 283. This truck is also sold "not running" and is 3000 miles away... but only $3500. But by the time I get it here (and assume get it running) it would likely be more than the $5500 one already being used as a driver... something I value pretty highly when car shopping.
From looking at the market, I'm not sure I'm going to find something closer to what I want (near my price point) than #1. (Except maybe something with a modern 5sp manual in it...) Do you think I could live with the stock front axle and brakes or would I really need to budget in $2000 for IRS (or at least $600 for discs on the solid axle).
I guess I'm trying to talk myself out of the #1 truck...just not sure how to value the necessary mods... and any leads on a suitable 5 window greatly appreciated.
