So I am walking through my development with my 4 year old son. I see a very old man just sitting on the retainer wall. My son wanted to pet the dog so we stopped. I introduce myself and we shake hands and start talking about the heat. Then he tells me he is going to be selling the place. Out of the corner of my eye I see a grill from a old chevy pickup behind the tractor in the garage.

She has 35K on the clock, she has been in the garage for 35 years. He says he just needs it gone. Low miles itself does not mean much to me but when I start checking out this truck there is no rust. I mean none. I don't mean I can not see any rust I mean I felt under the rockers and the cab corners. This is a original paint not dents no rust 72 shorty. She is a 250 I6 2wd 3 on the tree shorty. Just the way I like them.

He told me she ran like new 35 years ago when he parked it there. I said I think it worth more but I would give you $2500. He looked at me and is that a serious offer? I said check in your hand in 20 minutes offer. He asked me for my number and at that point my son was pulling me.

He called me tonight, He was worried the truck was not going to be safe to drive. I told him I was a former GM master tech who has done this generation truck before. He said ok to the deal but he suggested we check to make sure the motor is not seized from time. This is a really nice guy.

There is a 70's Harley in the corner

If anyone likes VW bugs there is a 70 something one with 900 miles on it there also. That is not a type O 900 mile never been in the rain.

Wow the wife is pissed. I still have my 93 in pcs and I buy another project. LOL

 

What the truck needs.

Check to see if the motor is frozen
Check to see if the clutch is rusted

Change oil
Drain and flush coolant
Service rear
Service manual (Do they have drain pugs?)
Crain brake fluid
Disassemble brakes all around, Rebuild calipers and wheel cylinder Replace master cylinder. Replace flex hoses, inspect metal lines, one heck of a stomp test once it done.

Drain fuel tank, Replace rubber fuel lines. Filter

I am sure I am missing some stuff.

 

What a score! Your '72 should be disc brakes up front too, and 5x5" wheel pattern. My '69 has '72 running gear, and no drain plug on the rear. Need to pull the cover and replace gasket to drain them. Just as well to have a look inside anyway.
Can't wait to see pics of it when it gets home!

 

I was doing a 68 project a few years back and I can remember looking for a 72 front suspension because of all the upgrades. I never got to finish the 68. I think I may make this truck a driver. It is amazing how cheap parts car. I have a cart loaded up at rock auto, I have all the brake parts (rebuild kits) hose and all the tune up stuff and I am just over $100. I will not buy anything till I have title in hand but I am think $300+ tires could get in on the road as long as I do not get too many surprises.

 

Great score! Love the 72 chevy pickups they are great looking trucks.

 

I seem to remember somebody telling me that suspension parts from later than '72 will interchange with earlier Chevy PU trucks also. I know the '67-'72 interchange for sure, but maybe a bit later also.

 

Nice score!!

 

I am having a bad year, When the 85 year old own called me he asked me to give him some time. That was last Sunday. Today he called me to tell me he sold the truck, Bug and the Harley to someone else because he just wanted them out of there.

 

Did you tell him you needed time too? Can't imagine why he'd sell something because he just wanted it out of there, but asked you for more time? Weird.

 

He asked for more time because he had a sick family member. I said fine as long as you don't sell it to someone else. He agreed.

I don't really know the old guy but we have a mutual friend. He called our friend before he called me to tell him he sold the truck to someone else because we never shook hands. (It was over the phone). He said the guy he sold both cars and the Harley to gave him $7500. Had he give me a chance I would have matched in a second. I already had a buyer for the bug at 4K site unseen. I am sure I could have gotten more. That meant I would have gotten the truck and 73 elctra glide Harley for 3500.

Just because someone is old does not mean they have any character.

Edit: To be fair our mutual friend says he may not have remembered the whole phone conversation. If something like this ever happens again, Down payment with a receipt, do the title when you get a chance.