Is it worth it?

Hi, I'm new to the forum and thinking about taking my first plunge into a project van. I heard of a 64 or 65 Chevy van for sale in Western New York. The body looks very good and apparently it was found in a barn and has a very nice frame and body. It is missing a windshield and driveshaft and has not been started in an unknown amount of time. The engine does not look to be original. It might be a newer straight 6 with an accel distributor. Does this seem as if it is worth the $1000 the guy is asking? I just don't want to pass this up if it seems like it will be too difficult to find another van in this area. Help me van gods.

Thanks!

Thanks guys,

I've priced a windshield and spoke to someone about the driveshaft and it seems like both could be done for around $500 or so. It seemed to me that if the body and frame are as good as the guy says, it might be worth it. I'm gonna go look at it Monday, I'll let you know what the outcome is.

Try and take some pics and post them. We love pictures.

First off,Welcome to the forum!Great bunch of helpfull folks in here with all kinds of knowledge and glad to help.They edjumacte me quite a bit.
First generations are evidently gettin harder to find,especially in the East,and with a decent body.As the others have said above,body is the main thing.There are a couple of companys in Ohio that make patch panels.if needed.Every thing else is bolt in or bolt on.People in here keep each other informed on stuff for sale all the time.
You did'nt say if it was a no door,panel,or windowvan.Sometimes that makes a difference to a buyer,or just a matter of personal preference.
Pictures are worth a 1000 words,or in your case,bucks.Ha!But if were me,and it was a 1st gen,no door or panel,good body shell,I'd probably jump on it and worry about bolt on later.Just my nicklels worth.Post some pics if ya can.

Here are the seller's pictures. There is some rot on the side door bottom and the back door, but from these pictures, it looks very workable. I'm a woodworker and I have friends that are blacksmiths and welders. My mechanic is also willing to do custom work. I feel like I have some good resources and one of use should be able to come up with something.

Looks like a keeper !!!!

Not too shabby. Great score!

Welcome Woody,
Think I saw this one on eBay last year. The windsheild id not really a big issue. Any automotive glass shop can cut one for you. Not sure about the the drive shaft. You might want to send Donivan, Vanagan and Hywaychild on the shaft. One of them may very well have one laying around.

Again, welcome to the show and would love to see pic's as your van progresses...

Dan

Looks like alot of van for the money.

Welcome...$2000 is a steal! I see one bad door bottom. If I was there, I'd beg, borrow or steal to get it! Rims are worth at least $200, looks like bodywork was already started as it's jambed... I hope you already have bought it... Dang!

Ok, so I went to look at the van today. For the most part, the body is in good shape, except for the side door bottoms and bottom of the rear door and some grandma dings. Someone installed a moonroof and a little hatch in the rear of the roof. However, one thing the guy didn't mention was the bondo corner. The passenger side rear corner was a complete bondo patch or at least appeared that way. The interior is completely disassembled (dash/gauges/seats/wires everywhere). This was definitely a mid-way restoration dismissal. The underside did look pretty good. For the right person, I would say this would be a perfect project van. Just more than I'm interested in getting into now. Here is the actual Craigslist ad. If anyone here can make this van the beauty she should be, I say have at it and post the pics so I can kick myself later, hahaha!

http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1012934677.html