buying private in the USA - from here
Discussion
Good stuff to hear. The ongoing costs is probably my biggest concern - parts are dead cheap but if you need to buy all of them it’s not cheap any more!
I’ve looked at el Camino and ranchero albeit I prefer the late 60s ones, and early 80s el Camino, not the mid 70s variants.
They’re decent but a bit longer which doesn’t work so well with my parking and I also need 3 across the front seats, and they tend to be a pair.
I also realise that I’m near the bottom of the market and if I’m spending ten grand I want it to be as close to the target as possible as I know it’ll soak up spend and never recoup my outlay (so don’t want to settle cos I don’t intend to own for a short time then move on).
There’s a matt green elcam on Facebook which was sold last autumn for 4k or so, trying to flip for 6.5k. I don’t think it’s running right and it’s got random front seats. But the main issue is it’s all army stickers and when they come off I suspect it’s a full repaint. Hence it’s not selling. But it’s the only one I’ve seen at the right price point to make me think about one instead of a C10.
I like the 67-79 F100s and D100s about the same - bit less than the first gen squarebody. If they were markedly cheaper like for like I’d probably be after one. But the pricing seems much of a muchness so may as well go after the one I prefer.
I’ve looked at el Camino and ranchero albeit I prefer the late 60s ones, and early 80s el Camino, not the mid 70s variants.
They’re decent but a bit longer which doesn’t work so well with my parking and I also need 3 across the front seats, and they tend to be a pair.
I also realise that I’m near the bottom of the market and if I’m spending ten grand I want it to be as close to the target as possible as I know it’ll soak up spend and never recoup my outlay (so don’t want to settle cos I don’t intend to own for a short time then move on).
There’s a matt green elcam on Facebook which was sold last autumn for 4k or so, trying to flip for 6.5k. I don’t think it’s running right and it’s got random front seats. But the main issue is it’s all army stickers and when they come off I suspect it’s a full repaint. Hence it’s not selling. But it’s the only one I’ve seen at the right price point to make me think about one instead of a C10.
I like the 67-79 F100s and D100s about the same - bit less than the first gen squarebody. If they were markedly cheaper like for like I’d probably be after one. But the pricing seems much of a muchness so may as well go after the one I prefer.
How about some mid engine fun? I know the truck and the owner from before he built it 15 years ago.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1G8EmvZfxR/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1G8EmvZfxR/
I have an 87 El Camino I'm considering moving on. It was imported to the UK in 2021 and I'm its only UK owner. It was a 1 family car in Texas previously (father and daughter). I've not driven it much this last year or so due to personal injury and a bereavement. My hearts not really in it anymore and while I love it, I just don't have the motivation to give it the time and attention it needs.
Drop me a PM if you have any questions. I'm not 100% sure I want to sell, but if it works for us both then I'd be happy to see it go to a good home.
![](https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/629047/202505253486943?resize=160[/img]</a> <a href="https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/629047/202505253542835" Target="_blank" >[img]https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/629047/202505253542835?resize=160)
Drop me a PM if you have any questions. I'm not 100% sure I want to sell, but if it works for us both then I'd be happy to see it go to a good home.
Edited by RoadToad84 on Sunday 25th May 09:50
FNG said:
That looks very smart mate.
Im going to stick to my first preference though and target a short bed C10.
If I can’t find one here on budget and can’t safely organise buying from a private seller in the US I will have to think again but that’s the plan.
Good choice tbf. I've a hankering for a C10 myself. I just find myself liking the idea of running a classic yank more than the reality hahaIm going to stick to my first preference though and target a short bed C10.
If I can’t find one here on budget and can’t safely organise buying from a private seller in the US I will have to think again but that’s the plan.
FNG said:
That looks very smart mate.
Im going to stick to my first preference though and target a short bed C10.
If I can’t find one here on budget and can’t safely organise buying from a private seller in the US I will have to think again but that’s the plan.
Weather permitting I am off to an all American vehicle meet tomorrow on the south coast, should be some pick ups there so will see if any for saleIm going to stick to my first preference though and target a short bed C10.
If I can’t find one here on budget and can’t safely organise buying from a private seller in the US I will have to think again but that’s the plan.
Without being to doom laden it’s a very common myth that US parts are cheap,
Perhaps in comparison they are a bit cheaper,
But once the dreaded logistics are added , the the duty and VAT ,
The cost escalate dramatically!
And by definition most mechanical parts are heavy, hence the postage costs
Used to be 100 bucks equaled a 100 quid
Now it 200 quid plus ,
Body panels are hugely costly to import,
600 quid hood, will cost 1600 quid landed,
Scary stuff
Perhaps in comparison they are a bit cheaper,
But once the dreaded logistics are added , the the duty and VAT ,
The cost escalate dramatically!
And by definition most mechanical parts are heavy, hence the postage costs
Used to be 100 bucks equaled a 100 quid
Now it 200 quid plus ,
Body panels are hugely costly to import,
600 quid hood, will cost 1600 quid landed,
Scary stuff
I’ve had a bit of RockAuto action myself with a Monaro and a mate has an Astro van that he’s done steering, dampers, calipers and slaves, HT electrics, heater matrix and oil cooler plus service items, and his experience of getting the parts he needs at the cost and timing he’s experienced is what persuaded me that it’s a viable option.
Yes panels are expensive, glass won’t be simple etc, but that mostly means I know when looking at trucks what needs to be prioritised - bodywork and major trim mostly - cos apart from maybe the rear axle, the mechanicals are replaceable for reasonable money.
And don’t replace, upgrade
Yes panels are expensive, glass won’t be simple etc, but that mostly means I know when looking at trucks what needs to be prioritised - bodywork and major trim mostly - cos apart from maybe the rear axle, the mechanicals are replaceable for reasonable money.
And don’t replace, upgrade
I’ve had a bit of RockAuto action myself with a Monaro and a mate has an Astro van that he’s done steering, dampers, calipers and slaves, HT electrics, heater matrix and oil cooler plus service items, and his experience of getting the parts he needs at the cost and timing he’s experienced is what persuaded me that it’s a viable option.
Yes panels are expensive, glass won’t be simple etc, but that mostly means I know when looking at trucks what needs to be prioritised - bodywork and major trim mostly - cos apart from maybe the rear axle, the mechanicals are replaceable for reasonable money.
And don’t replace, upgrade
Yes panels are expensive, glass won’t be simple etc, but that mostly means I know when looking at trucks what needs to be prioritised - bodywork and major trim mostly - cos apart from maybe the rear axle, the mechanicals are replaceable for reasonable money.
And don’t replace, upgrade
FNG said:
A couple at my local cars n coffee place, Gilks Garage.
Nothing persuaded me other than I need one of these in my life
The trouble is, a decent short bed C10 of that era is not really commensurate with your stated budget, especially a fleetside.Nothing persuaded me other than I need one of these in my life
Long bed fleetside, yes, should be able to get a decent long bed C10 for your budget.....just.
You’re probably right.
But equally there’s a fair few trucks out there at £14-15k and they’re not selling, because not much is, and none of them are standing out - it’s a crowded price point for the American market after all.
I think I can get to 11k at a stretch, which would need to be a fairly well sorted truck due to that stretch.
So with a motivated seller I think it’s possible to get broadly what I’m after.
If the current trucks are only up cos the owner fancies a change that isn’t likely to happen, but I’m optimistic that something will come up this summer.
But equally there’s a fair few trucks out there at £14-15k and they’re not selling, because not much is, and none of them are standing out - it’s a crowded price point for the American market after all.
I think I can get to 11k at a stretch, which would need to be a fairly well sorted truck due to that stretch.
So with a motivated seller I think it’s possible to get broadly what I’m after.
If the current trucks are only up cos the owner fancies a change that isn’t likely to happen, but I’m optimistic that something will come up this summer.
FNG said:
You’re probably right.
But equally there’s a fair few trucks out there at £14-15k and they’re not selling, because not much is, and none of them are standing out - it’s a crowded price point for the American market after all.
I think I can get to 11k at a stretch, which would need to be a fairly well sorted truck due to that stretch.
So with a motivated seller I think it’s possible to get broadly what I’m after.
If the current trucks are only up cos the owner fancies a change that isn’t likely to happen, but I’m optimistic that something will come up this summer.
Its finding a motivated seller.....the only way you'll like do that is put a low offer in and see if they bite.But equally there’s a fair few trucks out there at £14-15k and they’re not selling, because not much is, and none of them are standing out - it’s a crowded price point for the American market after all.
I think I can get to 11k at a stretch, which would need to be a fairly well sorted truck due to that stretch.
So with a motivated seller I think it’s possible to get broadly what I’m after.
If the current trucks are only up cos the owner fancies a change that isn’t likely to happen, but I’m optimistic that something will come up this summer.
Most stuff currently up for sale, its people that are still thinking the market is where it was 2 years ago, and most are thus not that motivated to sell which is why they haven't sold by now.
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