'64 panal, should i get it?

not sure how, but a '64 fell into my lap today. jump in and drive with shiny paint and wood interior. man in 70's had it 40 years. paint was done long ago, but looks good. some rust bubbles starting, no holes or missing paint. has a 292 and 350 turbo trans. started right up, new tires and nice rims, overall good shape. heater core is bypassed, and needs wiper motor installed but is included. $3000.00. i started my search wanting an early panel with good paint, ready to drive, in my area and under 5 k. this meets all of the above. so here is the dumb question, should i buy it?

just a little high Id think??

With the seller's permission take it to a local trusted shop and have them check it over completely. Brakes, tires, suspension, drivetrain, electrical.
Get an itemized list of everything it needs. This will make you a better informed buyer, be able to see how much it will cost for things it needs, and probably answer your question. This normally runs under a hundred bucks and is often able to bring the price down that much, if you still want it. If they can't find anything wrong, pay the man!

$3000.00 does sound a little high.

i am thankful for advice so dont take it wrong, but i am confused of the value of this/these vans. a week ago, i was thinking i would find something decent for $3000.00, maybe a little more. stopped window shopping and decided to "look to buy" signed up here, asked a little (and received great help) searched ads, and found a few under that price but need total restorations. best i found was here for $2500.00 and would need minimal body work, paint and interior, but it was "jump in and drive" not a project. others have told me 5k or more for finished van. after looking at many ads, i decided i better just grab the one for 2500, pay the shipping and paint it, around 4500-5000 total cost with me spraying it myself. this van finds me today, no shipping, paint is decent and can drive it home, he is at 3000.00, i think 2500 will buy it. i honastly thought i was getting a hell of a deal. if i am not, please tell me! 3k is a lot for me to give away and i ask because i dont know what they sell for. thanks, john

Do you have pictures? 3K may not be far off with no shipping. But low ball the guy anyway. Its not like there is 17 people at his door to buy it tonight.

sounds like my 65, mechanicaly wrough, good paint some bondo a bubble or two, paid 4K, drove it home.

M1D

no pics, no one else is looking either. looked at it today, told him i would come tommorrow with my dumber half and if she liked it, we could negotiate. if its evan an ok deal, i will get it. i am looking for '64-66 panal, not sport or no door, jump in and drive and looks good/nice paint. it fits ALL of that, and its local. if everyone said its a $2000.00 van, i would probably buy anyay just because i cant find any others that fit my "wants" i am not an impulse buyer, and can keep looking but dont want to pay more for less van later and be told "why didnt you buy that one" what is fair price for what i described? i dont mind paying for conveinance but cant stand to get outright screwed.

If the sheet metal is good and the drive train is good, I dont see 3k being out of line, I cant think of any vehichle old or new that runs for 3k that you wouldnt have to go thru or check out the normal wear and tear parts. The condition of the sheetmetal is the biggest factor in these vans IMO. Look for rust in the front pillars and trace its source if its there, spring perches at the frame that sort of thing, If the heater core leaked ,, check out the floor pan/s. Having an interior already could be good or bad, it hides things. Just points to deal with if its there. Good Luck !

There are many factors on the price of these. Location, condition, changes from stock, drivetrain. The bottom is usually rotted, non-running, missing parts and has bad mods. The top is usually something with great body/paint, a good drivetrain and quality mods. The middle is where the seller has spent at least what they are asking, so it depends on what they started with and the quality of the work.
If you think that all the recent work is the same or better quality that you would do or have done, all updates are the same you would make and any remaining work is stuff you feel comfortable with, go for it. It sounds like this is the case. It also sounds like you will get buyers remorse either shortly after you buy or when the first repair comes up. That is normal too. It sounds like a decent van and priced about where it should be. There are very few fantastic deals in the middle range.

From what you have said and without pictures, I'd expect the paint to be redone within 5 years. There will be repairs that bump up that cost. It will probably need some mechanical work and electrical work in the next year or so.
Maybe a cooling system overhaul, maybe brakes. Just be aware of this and plan for it. This is true of any 40 year old vehicle that has not been fully restored.

buyers remorse, ya, it happens. but i am relistic about it. paint in a few years is fine, just want it presentable and usably now. have a car i am restoring and would like a break if/when its done. mechanical repairs, these things are simple compaired to modern vehicles, and cheap. am going in 3 hours to strike a deal, unless a better van shows up (any price) i just havent seen any this nice for sale.

Well, we expect pictures in 4 hours then!
Good luck!

I was thinking it was a deal to. Upgrades already done. 40 year owner. See how low he can go. Yea....we love pictures....even if you don't end up getting it

lift up the floor mat/carpet @the driver& passenger sides. was this in a barn of something?? look @ the wiring in the dog box and under the dash to see if any mice had a lunch in there. turn the lights on to see if they are in working order. I am from the south-hills of pittsburgh, if you are in zelienople then we are about a hour apart.

just got back with the van. will post pics in the a.m. looked at it yesterday so already knew it was good but i double checked everything again. not a barn find, the guy bought it in '73. over the years he costomized interior, painted etc. said him and wife would go to events or camp in it. he had current historical plates on it and still drove it a little. garage kept last 38 years. he is in 70's and has no use for it anymore, and just isnt able to keep up with it any more. its not perfect, but definately presentable. needs wiper motor installed but it was included. heater core was removed, said something about using hoses for additional cooler, didnt quite understand and he was rambleing so i just let it go, all the parts are their, original heater core in a box of parts. test drive was good, everthing works (except heater) runs smooth, no smoke, slight exhaust leak at donut. runs at 70 mph without and shimmies or shakes. little play in the steering box but minor. rode better than expected. so i bought it.

Great!! So what was the selling price??

$3000.00. would not drop a penny lower. he aked 5k when we first spoke, when i showed up and immediatly went straight to the problem areas, he said 3 was all he needed. when i low balled him, he said i had his low number and that was it. sure, 2500 would of been better, but i wont find this again, not that price or in this area. i like a bargain but never was cheap, it was worth it to me so i paid it.

if he went to events he had to go to butler in the 70's . have you ever been to remember butler??? . if not it's a great van in and it's in your own back yard every year......

Thats van feaver! you listened to your inner vanner and not your inner accountant.

Right On ! I say good for you for not nickle and diming yourself out of a "quality of life" choice.

M1D

not sure of true resale value, dont really care, i got what i wanted for what i could afford and is worth every penny to me. it is everything i described in my first post, drver with shiny paint, close to home and under 5k. could spend monthes looking and end up restoring one in the end. the ride home started poorly. i bought it 1/2 mile from state line. got it out on highway, up to 30 or so and punched it. it coughed and sputterred. died just as i drove under the p.a sign. out of gas. while i waited on gas, i figured i would check out/find the source of wind on the back of my neck (remember no heat) had a tough time narrowing down since every last door is missing weatherstripping. van ran great after fueling, handled and rode well but after an hour of "wind turbulance" i think weatherstripping will be me first mod. 2nd will be a trip to junkyard for new seats. seamed comfy on test drive but once i got used to van and relaxed a little, i found they recline back like the kids like, and stay that way! still happy with purchase, just wish i took a heavy shirt and hat. will post pics tomorrow.

That's awesome!!! Congrats!

congrats , glad to see it all worked out for you. 2 out of 3 vans i have owened i found in michigan my 1969 200 miles or so away my 1970 85 miles away.

congrats

pics will come IF i figure out how to get them here. i have them in my pics on computor.

jrinaman wrote:not sure of true resale value, dont really care, i got what i wanted for what i could afford and is worth every penny to me. it is everything i described in my first post, drver with shiny paint, close to home and under 5k. could spend monthes looking and end up restoring one in the end. the ride home started poorly. i bought it 1/2 mile from state line. got it out on highway, up to 30 or so and punched it. it coughed and sputterred. died just as i drove under the p.a sign. out of gas. while i waited on gas, i figured i would check out/find the source of wind on the back of my neck (remember no heat) had a tough time narrowing down since every last door is missing weatherstripping. van ran great after fueling, handled and rode well but after an hour of "wind turbulance" i think weatherstripping will be me first mod. 2nd will be a trip to junkyard for new seats. seamed comfy on test drive but once i got used to van and relaxed a little, i found they recline back like the kids like, and stay that way! still happy with purchase, just wish i took a heavy shirt and hat. will post pics tomorrow.

Rock on welcome to Vannin! and welcome to the family! i think you got a good deal from what i have read. you are going to have so much fun with it. I got mine last fall and every time i am out on the road it turns so many heads i get people giving my thumbs up and taking pictures while im driving people still love seeing these beasts out on the road. Rock on i am stoked for you keep us posted on any thing you do to it and post pictures! happy vannin brotha.

3 grand sounds pretty fair to me too ! and right in your own back yard !! beats buying one from afar and having it shipped only to find out the seller was full of Shit on his description. You were able to crawl around and look at important parts and most importantly sit in it and make the vroom vroom sound ! dont act like you didnt ! congrats!!