1971 Silverado

Dave H (MI) · Mar 29, 2017

I have a client who wants to donate a 1971 Silverado with a fair amount of rust around the doors but running good. She doesn't want to be bothered selling it to a stranger but she might sell it to me. It is 2WD unfortunately. Any idea on value? Any issues with Chevy trucks of that era?

My trucks are all chevys and from the 1970's...bomb proof.

Scott 730 · Mar 29, 2017

Silverado labeling was not used in 1971. Not sure what you have.

ddbar3 · Mar 29, 2017

1971 cheyenne. ddbar3

sms · Mar 29, 2017

They have a very strong following. Look at prices on eBay. I wish I had saved the one I had.

4play · Mar 29, 2017

That era can be very desirable but doesn't always mean valuable. Rust around doors almost certainly means the rockers, cab and floor pans are gone too, along with a few other notorious spots. Around here most people don't care on model or options content since they are going to be used for DD, resto-mods with new panels and modern powertrain and accessories. The shape and condition of the body can matter a lot but for people that want a "perfect" truck are likely to replace most of it anyway.

I have a friend who just re-did one of these and I bet he has around 40-50K in it, while doing most of the work himself (free labor) , and can probably sell it tomorrow for 60-70k. It is a very nice, show quality truck, extremely powerful and modern edition of an old truck.

72supr · Mar 29, 2017

Top of the line in 71 was Cheyenne Super. Value really depends on the shape it's in.If it is a Super and a short bed they are rare and worth some money.Good luck. Interested in what you get done.

BobReeves · Mar 30, 2017

3 years ago I sold a 71 Chevy C10 regular cab long bed with factory air for $4000.00. It had some rust but was in good mechanical condition with a crate engine that had less than 25,000 on the clock. Needed a 4x4 and was able to buy a 2000 Silverado 4x4 regular cab long bed for what I got out of the 71.

I liked the looks of the 71 but never did like driving it. I'm 6 foot and always felt cramped in that cab, not enough room between the back of the seat and the firewall. Might have been because the fuel tank was behind the seat. The 2000 is a much nicer more comfortable truck all the way around.

John B. · Mar 30, 2017

If you don't want it maybe you could sell it for her. Those are nice trucks.

BarnyardEngineering · Mar 30, 2017

C10 C20 C30 straight-6 v-8 auto manual???

Like others have said, not a Silverado, but I understood what you were trying to say: A Chevy pickup truck.

I think the trim levels were something like custom, custom deluxe, cheyenne, etc.. back then.

The C10 has coil spring rear suspension which wasn't all that great for using as a pickup.

They are getting somewhat popular now to rebuild into street trucks. You can get just about every body panel new from somewhere, and there are kits to turn them from a long bed into a short bed. If it's a natural short bed it's the most valuable, because that's what the custom guys want.

merlynr · Mar 30, 2017

[The C10 has coil spring rear suspension which wasn't all that great for using as a pickup.

My step-dad bought a new 71 c20 with 350 engine and it had coil spring rearend

]

wilson ind · Mar 30, 2017

You got me on DD? direct drive double duty??

tracto-man · Mar 30, 2017

Dd = daily driver

tracto-man · Mar 30, 2017

I would say in good condition that era truck is starting t go back up in value if in decent condition. I'm south of Lansing, and in medium rusty condition, I'd say $1000-2500. A almost rust free c10 sold at a auction for $800, needed tires, didn't run, had sat in a barn for 10 plus years.

Steve@Advance · Mar 30, 2017

This brings back some bad memories!

I had a 71 Cheyenne, white over orange, 350/350 long bed. Very nice truck inside and out. I drove it for years, went through the engine and transmission, spared no expense, intended to drive it forever.

Shortly after the engine rebuild, and a lot of other work, tires and wheels, lots of money...

Went out at lunch from work, it was gone!

Never could prove it, but strongly suspected a coworker that was having drug problems.

Never saw it again. I did see the back bumper (a unique bumper that I recognized by a small dent) on the back of another truck. I followed him for a while into a bad part of town, decided it wasn't worth dying for.

I still find myself keying on that year truck, especially the orange ones. Guess I still haven't give up on finding it, after all it's only been 30 years!

russ1 · Mar 30, 2017

Dave. Go to nada.com and put in the data it asks on the truck. You will be amazed at the value. This is the national auto dealers website.

rusty6 · Mar 30, 2017

(quoted from post at 05:22:22 03/30/17) C10 C20 C30 straight-6 v-8 auto manual???

The C10 has coil spring rear suspension which wasn't all that great for using as a pickup.

They are getting somewhat popular now to rebuild into street trucks. .

I have seen them with leaf or coil spring rear. I have a 71 C10 with coils but also a GMC with leaf spring rears. I don''t know if it was optional or what. Either way, I've hauled a lot of stuff with the old coil sprung C10 and no complaints. Yes, getting to be collectors items now.

cityboy · Mar 30, 2017

Poke around here.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/

HTH
Old chevy trucks

wisbaker · Mar 30, 2017

Aunt and Uncle had two 1972 C-20s both with coil spring rear ends and the one of the shop trucks at the RV dealer I worked at was a '71 C-20 with a coil spring rear end. When we had the RV show in the mall the
biggest truck camper we had always went on the '71 as it sagged more than the 2 square body C-20s we had, why was this important? 'Cause it would fit through the door on the old truck, wouldn't on either of
the new ones.

CH(upstate,NY) · Mar 30, 2017

Demolition derby

fixerupper · Mar 30, 2017

Dad bought a 69 GMC 3/4 ton with leafs. Next year a neighbor bought a 70 Chevy 3/4 ton with coils. Neither pickup was equipped fancy.

Tim in OR · Apr 1, 2017

I have a 1969 GMC Sierra Grande. That is a factory 8 1/2 foot box on that puppy. I bought it in 1996, and have driven it back and forth to work since then. It is so simple that is easy to keep running. I just parked it because the slip joint on the driveline is now so sloppy, that I am afraid of dropping it. Oh well, I guess I will see if I can find a tighter one before I have one made. I say Go for it, Mine owes me nothing.
Tim in OR

rusty6 · Apr 1, 2017

(quoted from post at 22:19:33 03/31/17) I have a 1969 GMC Sierra Grande.
Tim in OR

Restored some of these trucks are being adverised for big money. Like this 72 Cheyenne for $42,500.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/regina/72-chevrolet-cheyenne-super-shortbox/1250732448?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

72supr · Apr 1, 2017

Leaf springs were an option on 1/2 and 3/4 tons standard on ton pickups and 4 wheel drives. This is what the experts say anyway.

1971 Silverado

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