What did you pay for a square

[Elliot W]

Not sure if there is any interest in this topic or not as it may be a bit personal for some, but since I didn't see a similar post I thought others may be interested in it as well. There are a few threads on how much people are selling a c10 for, but theres a big difference between how much someone is selling a truck for and how much a truck actually sells for, which is why this thread would have to only be about what you or a friend actually paid for the truck. I'd like to think that sharing this info won't hurt the value of your truck if you ever dare to part with it, but the information could be very valuable to folks that are in the market for a squarebody, or even the folks that are selling a squarebody, it would be helpful to know a number not to sell the truck under.

Obviously there are huge variables that go into a trucks price; region, running or not, motor and transmission, aftermarket parts, interior condition, and the condition of the body panels/paint to name a few. If you are comfortable with posting what you or a friend paid for a square, please list the region and condition of the truck too. Picture are beneficial if possible, as well as when (what year) you bought the truck as values have changed drastically as these trucks age.

These trucks used to be a dime a dozen but have seemingly gotten harder to find in decent condition for a good price, so what screaming deal have you found???

 

[RecklessWOT]

I have owned 3 squares in my life, the most expensive (my current 'burb) cost me a grand. The other two were rust buckets, but this one was real solid (just needed some normal cosmetic stuff given the age) that's why I was willing to pay so much for it.

 

[Old77]

Bought my '77 back in late fall of 03. Paid $1,000 and probably overpaid at that time as it was a rust bucket but was excited to get into my first square.

Bought my '91 dually Fall of '18 for $6,000. Had 75k original miles on it at the time (has 85k now), rust free, texas truck, and came with a lot of parts with it, too. Looking back on it today that was a steal of a deal. She's my forever truck and will always be in my driveway.

Bought my 90 burb earlier this last summer for $8,500. 112k miles on it, spotless interior and 95% rust free. Only rot on the rig is inner rocker, passenger side in front of the rear wheel well. I'm patching that up this winter and undercoating the whole rig. Only thing it's needed is a some maintenance and has been flawless other than that. The roof and back doors have been half assed repainted at some point in the past. At some point in the future, I hope to repaint the whole thing and make it perfect.

A few years back I bought an 87 3/4 burb that was out of AZ/CA. 100% rust free. Paint was then from being in the hot arizona sun but was a nice rig! Bought it for 2,500 around 2014 before rising prices had gotten to the burbs. Long story short, got hit by an unlicensed, uninsured motorist and sold it for $2,000 in 2016.

In the end, I feel like I've gotten pretty darn good deals on all of my squares. The days of getting a driver square for $1,000 or $2,000 is long gone but good deals are still out there to be had if you stay patient and are ready to pull the trigger as soon as they pop up.

 

[Elliot W]

I got my 74 swb manual 2wd for 1400 in 2021 in Virginia, no engine but came with a 5.3 in the bed. The truck wasn't messed with much by previous owners, and it looked like the bed was replaced at some time, and floor patches made with high gage steel. Only visible rust was on the rockers and the cab mount supports under the floor pans. I'll be honest, I was really looking for a 67-72, but this deal seemed too good to pass up as it was everything I was looking for (swb, manual, all panels there, unmolested, for LS swap). I'm careful with the finances and didn't want to get something I couldn't get my money back if I needed to. Fairly confident I could get the 1400 as it sat with the 5.3. I'm about 7k total into it now to get it running....the swap components add up quick!

 

[ulm4lyf]

Bought my 1978 GMC C15 from a 93 year old Former Marine for $5,400 in July of this year. Zero, and I mean ZERO rust. 57,000+ original miles. You can tell it was definitely an old man truck. Spent a whole lot of its life sitting. Texas truck.

 

[Elliot W]

Bought my 1978 GMC C15 from a 93 year old Former Marine for $5,400 in July of this year. Zero, and I mean ZERO rust. 57,000+ original miles. You can tell it was definitely an old man truck. Spent a whole lot of its life sitting. Texas truck.

Was he a WWII vet? Did he have stories? I'm picturing Clint Eastwood from Gran Turino.

 

[Originalthor]

Paid 3500 for my suburban 3 years ago. And it was a tough find for around here. Rust in the rockers and its now started on the back wheel wells. Had 87km.

I've maybe seen 2 in my neck of the woods for sale lately and they were barely a suburban left and were non runners going for 2k plus.

 

[45tt]

My 1973 Chevy long bed c20 cost me $50 in 1991 then it was parted out.

My 1976 Chevy short bed K10 cost $1000 in 1989, went through a restoration and sold for $4250 in 1995.

Lastly, my current 1975 GMC short bed K15 cost $6000 in 2008

 

[82sbshortbed]

I got my 82 short bed 4 years a ago for $3,500. I over paid but had the last 2 I was gonna look at before this one were sold right out from under me. Literally before I could get over there he sold it and even took off work that Saturday to go look at it.

I've got a lot more in it now but it's gonna be mechanicly sound. I put in a 454 with 30k on it. All new suspension. New transmission 700r4. New brakes all the way around. New driveshaft. New Lt hedders and some other things I'm probably forgetting.

Got its fair share of rust too. But I'm not worried about the look as much as I want a good running reliable truck. Plus nobody wants to steal a Rusty one. So that may play to my advantage on that. Lol

Got probably close to 10k in it by now. I'll never get my money back from it but idc because I just want to enjoy it and not looking to flip it to make a profit.

 

[Soundmound]

Picked up my '84 short wide for 9800 in 2021. Probably overpaid but it was mid pandemic and it is rust free, nice repaint with a roached interior though. Only mechanicals I've done so far are carb rebuild, radiator, water pump, T-Stat, hoses and fuel tanks and senders with new rubber. Brakes are good, rear end is noisy and the transmission has no lock up. Needs all the seals on the doors done still along with interior and the exhaust is trash, but I have the Hooker manifolds for it. Just need to wait until spring to get the exhaust done.

I'm actually considering the forbidden thought about maybe selling it once I get it a little further along. The job change this year, while better for my mental health, is financially a burden and will drag my project out for years longer than I think I can deal with. Plus, I could use the capital to start a business or buy some property or pay off debt. I am holding off though so I don't make an emotionally charged decision.

 

[CalSgt]

I got my 1980 K-10 on Super Bowl Sunday in 1997 for $2400, front fenders and bed sides were rusted through at the top of the wheel openings. At least new GM front fenders were only $96 each back then with a friends employee discount.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Sure I'll play. I dont have any before pictures, but I have their current pics.

Got my 84 CUCV blazer in about 2011 for free. 6.2 diesel TH400.

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Got my 86 GMC Sierra in May of 2020 for $4000. 305 and SM465 (now 350)

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Got my 87 Chevy K20 Custom Deluxe in September of this year for $800. 350 SM465.

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Got my 75 Chevy C30 Custom in January of 2021 for $1600. 350 TH400.

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Got my 75 Chevy K5 Blazer in November of 2020 for free. 454, SM465.

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[Scott91370]

January 2020 I bought a shortbed that ran (fresh rebuild) but had almost all original paint. I didn't know it at the time but it had been hit on the passenger side at the front of the bed/rear of the cab. I paid $2500 for it.

Fast forward 2.5 years and I'm now up to $25,000. And that's no labor except the paint. Almost everything has been replaced (even things lke ball joints that may not have needed it) so it would look as new as the paint.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Got my 76/78/85 K10 and a truckload of parts in November of 2020 for $320.
350, th350.

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And finaly, I got my 78 C10 in December 2021 for $300.

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[TotalyHucked]

I paid $7,000 for mine in Jan or Feb of 2020 out of NC, pretty decent deal. It was an absolutely 100% rust free, cut down long bed. 305/T350/2.73. PW, PL, tilt, cruise, AC. Everything worked except the cruise. The motor was down compression on 2 cylinders but ran ok, I didn't care cuz I knew I'd be LS swapping it. Could've cleaned it up, done a few little things and flipped it for probably 10-12k at the time but I wanted to keep it. I'm probably creeping toward $25k in it at this point but have no plans to sell.
This is how I picked it up:

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