PDA

View Full Version : What's a good way of finding a project?


greaseball
09-15-2003, 03:09 PM
I'm looking for a running 55-57 chevy truck.

How do you guys usaully find your cars?
I've looked all over online,
checked the "cruisin' news",
checked the paper,

What am I forgetting?
I know SOMEBODY out there is selling what I need
(for a price I can almost afford...?)
How can I find 'em?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Humboldt Cat
09-15-2003, 03:21 PM
That's a toughie; strange as it sounds, one thing that worked for me was asking as a customer in a bar, just bringing it up as a conversation piece, because more than likely - if it's the right type of bar or coffee shop, etc., the person working the counter has heard somebody talking about selling it, or of something available.
The trick is finding the right kind of bar.
That, and drives in the country searching ditches. Seems to work in Humboldt and Del Norte county.
I'm surprised, Greaseball- it seems like I see lots of '55-'57 Chevy trucks around, some for sale (it's the FORDS that I need to find, heh heh), I'll keep my eyes open for you, let you know if I find something up here.
Good luck huntin'!

prime mover
09-15-2003, 03:26 PM
drive aimlessly around looking in backyards, I've found tons of awsome cars that way. just be honest and nice when you go up to the door.

DrJ
09-15-2003, 03:37 PM
You are probabaly looking for a cheap running truck.
Funny, I agree with the bar or bulletin board at the grocery store or the local weekly paper.
Seems the place you won't find what you are looking for, a cheap truck, is at the local cruise night or "car people" hang out.
You will find a truck there maybe, but the "car guy" you would get it from already found it "cheap" and you will end up paying him for his good fortune.

Fat Hack
09-15-2003, 03:43 PM
Long drives through rural areas turn up all sorts of treasures, as mentioned!

Also, hit flea markets and farm markets on the weekends. I've seen many old trucks being used by common folk at such venues to haul their goods back and forth. Often times, you can talk them into selling, too...they just never imagined that someone would WANT their old truck before, so they kept it for years!

I got my old Dodge that way...bought it at a flea market...but let the guy haul his stuff back home with it first...$125 later, I drove it home!

Donzie
09-15-2003, 04:04 PM
Ya ask everybody you know. Really. You'd be surprised what some people know about when you ask them. Tell them to spread the word around. You might get a call some night and a guys says, "so and so told me yer lookin' for a truck".
When I was looking for a '50s car I called a guy I know that's into cars and he told me about someone he had met last summer at a campground. The guy had a '50 Chevy that he was think about selling so this guy took his name and number. Bingo! I now own a '50 Chevy.

ray
09-15-2003, 04:20 PM
spend what $$ you have on a truck you DON'T want.

the truck you DO want is GUARANTEED to show up! cheap.

$pomadepete$
09-15-2003, 04:24 PM
u're gay

Just Gary
09-15-2003, 04:26 PM
One word; Networking.

It's like looking for a job; talk to lots of people. Let 'em know what you're looking for. They'll tell 2 friends... And they'll tell 2 friends...

scooter
09-15-2003, 04:43 PM
1-drive the alley ways and streets 2,the garage sales and ask 3, do a your state search on e-bay 4 , do what yer doin now by tellin everybody what your lookin for .maybe put an ad in the local paper wanted under the clasic car section .

sleeper
09-15-2003, 04:44 PM
..........

burndup
09-15-2003, 04:49 PM
FINDING a project? they find Me...

they wander over to my place like stray cats... I have to keep my self drunk and poor so I cannot see clearly nor purchase them, when they constantly make themselves available... ya get one, its like cancer and they multiply...

Maybe you're trying too hard to find whatcha want? They pop up when you AREN'T expecting them to.

mytlo56
09-15-2003, 04:56 PM
Lemme know what you're idea of "reasonable" is cost wise and I'll keep my eye out.

I've got a 54 1/2 series one GMC that's really shaping up nicely...but I'm not quite to the point where I want to sell her.

In terms of finding a good project, try to find something that's running, driveable, and maybe even licensed. It doesn't need to be pretty, but boy does it ever make things easier when you can hop in and drive it to the body shop, mechanic, parts store, or whatvever. Ask around your local junk yard. Those guys always know where there's something good that someone is thinking about junking. One man's trash is indeed another man's treasure.

Good luck,
Anthony

OGNC
09-15-2003, 05:16 PM
For me, it always starts by stumbling upon a vehicle when I'm not looking. So, just stop looking and a truck is bound to fall into your lap...

FrameDragger
09-15-2003, 06:33 PM
In So-Cal - The Recycler... www.recycler.com (http://www.recycler.com)

I found 2 of my 3 cars there...

I like it when people don't want to mess with ebay... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

M-

Smokin Joe
09-15-2003, 06:38 PM
The best projects are the ones that seem to find you. The car you weren't looking for till it shows up outa nowhere like a puppy on the porch in the rain and you start wanting to adopt it and raise it as your very own. Those are the ones that get done and on the road. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

orange52
09-15-2003, 07:29 PM
I went out looking for a rim today and ended up finding a 48 chevy pu forsale, $4500. Its pretty nice and runs a hot little 327. Same guy had a customized studebaker bullet nose. Wide whites, flipper caps, lake pipes, sbc. He then pointed me a few blocks away to a 1 ton early 50's panel truck, UGLY.
I'm going to buy a 10 bolt from him for my '52. He also knew of a junk yard not to far away that he said has a lot of older stuff.
Oh, he's throwing in a rear swaybar with the axle that should work on my truck. AND, I got a call about a interview for a new job! its been a good day.

HOTRODPRIMER
09-15-2003, 07:43 PM
The HAMB is as good as any to ask about a project,,,, Somebody here might have what your lookin' for! HRP

speedaddict
09-15-2003, 09:14 PM
what's up with the ford? giving up?

OldSub
09-15-2003, 09:32 PM
I've bought two old Chevy trucks from guys who have seen me driving an old GMC.

Guys see my truck and start a conversation. The guy will say something about having a truck he is thinking about getting rid of. First time it took just a few weeks. Second time it took six months. Both of them are parked outside right now.

So, buy a project truck, and more will come...

shoebox72
09-15-2003, 10:00 PM
Hang out at divorce court http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Billy

Wowcars
09-15-2003, 10:48 PM
First, quit actually looking for a project. Then make yourself completely broke. Then all sorts of projects come out of the wordwork, cheap! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

greaseball
09-15-2003, 10:48 PM
Speedaddict-
Naw, I can't give up on "The Curse",
It just occured to me the other day that I want,
nay,
NEED an old "daily",
And even if the ford was DONE,
That wouldn't be it...

A truck is a TRUCK,
Ya can BEAT on it,
Sleep in it,
Haul your dog in it
(if I HAD a dog..)
Whatever!
And not only that,
But I've got something of a "parts truck" out at my grandparents too!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

greaseball
09-16-2003, 01:23 AM
$pomadepete$-
I may be a BIG FAG,
But not everyone is "high roller"
enough to have $the bling-bling$
Surrounding there name...
.....oh....
And I can SPELL
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slazzen
09-16-2003, 01:32 AM
take a drive out by galt on the back roads I mean the real backroads they are every where cheap

metalshapes
09-16-2003, 01:35 AM
It seems to me that the best deal always comes along after I have bought what ever I was looking for. It will be identical but cheeper, or in better shape, or both. It is not like that will give me buyers remorse or anything like that, because the first deal was good enough for me to buy it.( And that was the best information I had at the time )And if the 2nd deal is really exeptional, and I happen to have the money, I might buy that one too.

greaseball
09-16-2003, 01:43 AM
Slazzen-
I'm trying to think of how to get OUT to GALT-
PM me...?
Also, I'm looking for a DRIVEABLE project too
(just in case anybody knows of one)
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Humboldt Cat
09-16-2003, 01:53 AM
When's the next swap meet at the Stan. County 'Grounds in Turlock? When I lived there, they turned up cheap gems.
In high school, some friends had gotten some sweet deals at the local police impound auction. How are the swap meets or flea markets in Sacatomatoes?

greaseball
09-16-2003, 01:59 AM
Humboldt Cat-
All the swaps/flee markets I've been to have been
"hit or miss",

I know a guy who found a working CAR record player,
for $75!
At the local flee market,

But for me,
It's more "MISS!"
Than "HIT!"

slazzen
09-22-2003, 07:09 PM
email this posting to a friend


1957 GMC 3/4 Ton Pickup stepside longbed - $389

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: anon-16471498@craigslist.org
Date: 2003-09-18, 10:57PM



1957 GMC 3/4 Ton Pickup truck, stepside, longbed.
Body is rusted beyond repair. Small rear window.
Truck ran good when parked 10 plus years ago.
It has a 1960 389 Pontiac V8 With a 2Bbl carb (was a bolt in swap)Backed up with a Truck 4 speed. It was very fast. Rims are 8 Lug.
Brakes(Including e-brake), King pins and clutch were replaced befor it was retired.
Lots of good parts or install another body and put it to work.
Email if you are interested. Make an offer.
Thanks for reading.


it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests