The GM Squarebody pick up has never been more popular. Asking prices for four wheel drive versions are now exceeding $30,000. This 1985 Chevrolet SWB Silverado pickup is listed for sale here on eBay for a Buy It Now Price of $12,000. The seller is also auctioning the truck and with 4 days remaining in the process, the truck is bid to $9,300. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the truck looks to be an original paint truck with many options. The dark blue paint is starting to fade but overall the truck looks pretty original.
The interior is light blue with gray fabric upholstery. The door panels are faded and worn, as is the the carpet. The odometer reading has most likely exceeded its mechanical limits. The title report reflects three owners and that the truck has been in Iowa its whole life. The factory options on this truck include power windows, power locks, tilt steering, air conditioning, dual gas tanks, cruise control, sliding rear window and a rear cab cargo light. An aftermarket spot light has been installed on the driver’ side dash.
The truck was originally equipped with a Chevrolet LG4 305 cubic inch V8 engine that has been replaced with a 350 cubic inch V8 crate engine. The new crate engine most likely provides more horsepower and torque than the original engine that was rated around 150 horsepower. I had a 1985 GMC short bed similar to this and it was a reliable little truck. The only problem I had was vapor lock on hot days but an electric fuel pump solved that.
The truck rides on its original rally wheels and has new white wall tires. The exhaust and radiator has also been replaced. The seller states that the driveshaft and rear axle has been rebuilt. There appears to be some rust on the rocker panels. It would be nice to see the underside of the truck to see the extent of the rust and rot. The two wheel drive short bed fleetside truck should be a fun driver.
Gak,,,,I think the time is rapidly approaching, I may sell my squarebody. In a “can’t beat them, join them” campaign, that coupled to rising gas prices and going “backward” every month, a gas hog with 166K might not be the best thing to have in a changing future. I mean, clearly I’m not an idiot, and these ALLEGED prices are tempting. I know, “out of touch”, “what would mom say”,,there’s an old saying, take the money and run, before the money runs out and there’s no place left to run, that is.
And in conclusion,,,they’re nuts. I’d ask $3 tops, for mine. Does that make me an idiot for not wanting to gouge someone $10 grand for a 40 year old beater truck? I guess in this day and age, it does. You can see my frustration, if you can’t, I guess you’re “one of them”.
No mention of relocating the gas tank inside the frame for better safety. Oh well.
WMotor, did you see that show on tv, I believe it was called “60 Minutes”, where they were talking about how these trucks caught fire so easily? They tried to make one catch fire by ramming it, then totally filled the tank right to the top and left the gas cap loose, and rammed that one, and neither caught fire. They had to rig an explosive device to ever make one catch fire. They got exposed and had to apologize on air, and admit their scheme. It was one of the major networks but I can’t remember which one.
Howard,
I can see your frustration, but I don’t understand it. You have obviously been in this old car culture a long time, so have I. I am 79 and have been hooked on cars before, I was even a teenager. I spent most of my life in Colo. and it is a strong car culture. The point is if you have been around a long time ,you can look back at trends, popularity of many makes and models and the vitality of the market. Most people, that have a vehicle which gains in popularity and price are happy, if they want to sell it. However, it can also be a 15 minutes of fame. I have a 34 Ford Coupe I have had close to 60 years. It was always increasing in value , until very recently, Supply and demand, popularity , changing market , it all effects price. What comes around , goes around, why not just roll with the flow ,when its up enjoy, when its down accept it. Its sort of like inflation you can’t do anything about, just try to understand it, and take advantage of your position in the equation..
Howard,
I left a comment for you, but apparently it didn’t go through. It was a little long so I will try to keep it simple, I can see your frustration, but I don’t get it. Lets forget about cars and talk about investments. Say for instance you bought a stock for a very low price, hoping it might go up or at least do OK and you wouldn’t loose money. The stock did, that for several years and you were happy, and then one day for some reason ,it went way up in value. Maybe 10 times, what you paid and still going. Would you feel, the same as you do about your truck. You don’t want to cheat anybody, because you never thought it would be worth that much. Does that make sense, its your investment you paid for it, and the market dictates what it is worth. Is that a BAD thing, is it your fault, or do you say great, but I won’t sell it. Then the market crashes and its worth a 1/4 of what you paid. Would that make you feel better.
Hi Joe, thanks for the comment, but you are missing a key ingredient in my intentions. I never intended to buy my squarebody as any kind of investment, it was more my giant middle finger to the auto industry, that we don’t need chilled cup holders and adjustable suspension, I just wanted a “good old truck”. To me, “good old trucks” are not 5 figure items. I’m convinced,, auctions, tend to make a “big deal” out of “flash in the pans”, and it subsides, after people find out, these aren’t as nice as made out to be, and remorse has to be high. And I feel, the market WILL crash, if it hasn’t already begun to do so, and yes, these people will be out a lot more money than I would have “invested” in one, it’s one reason our economy is so flawed, people spending what I consider, unrealistic amounts on foolish purchases like this, when it could be spent better.
Really NOT WORTH the asking price…..Looks like a RATS NEST under the hood!!!!!!
Howard,
Thanks for your reply, sorry for two comments ,I didn’t mean to do that.
I don’t think we are disagreeing, I think we just view the situation from different perspective. We are on different sides of the “Chicken and Egg”debate. I know you feel about cars the way I do, that being your ownership and love for the car, is not based on its dollar value.
However, a lot of factors establish that value, mostly supply and demand. My point being if you have a vehicle that because of the current market it goes up in value, Great! That doesn’t mean you have to go out and sell it, or brag about it, actually you don’t even have to care. But, if you want too or have to sell it, you made money, doesn’t mean you deserve it. It’s is just the result of the market, inflation ,economy or luck, and its not anything you specifically did ,but you deserve fair market value. There is no doubt that many ,if not most, don’t feel that way. They consider buying and selling cars as a business or investment, I have even heard them reference their cars as their portfolio. That literally makes me ill, but it is what it is and in away if you don’t think so “You are cutting off your nose to despite you face”.