[Mister Pontiac]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to go about selling vintage tow trucks?

A friend of mine passed away last year, and his daughter inherited his tow trucks (one beautifully restored and one in progress). One is a 1966 C50 (restored), and the other is a 1958 (unrestored).

I'm kind of at a loss as to what to tell her. Unfortunately, he didn't leave any instructions as to who might be interested, or how to go about passing them to a new owner without basically giving them away. A lot of my internet searching has shown me that there really isn't much to compare them to, let alone who might have any interest. That means I'm really not sure how to value them either.

I know there's always the idea of hanging a sign in the window @ a GoodGuys meet, eBay, Craigslist, or possibly shuffling them thru Barrett Jackson or the like, but does anyone else have any thoughts or better ideas?

Thanks.

[Bills Auto Works]

Facebook Marketplace is much better than Craigslist in my opinion. Also I see you are in the Phoenix area, I know for sure there are a couple of very large towing companies in that area. You may call them as many times they use older trucks painted up for advertising.

God bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[David Jones]

There is a towing museum in Chattanooga. Call them, as a place to start.

[63 Pontiac]

This is a really good old Chevy and GMC truck forum, advertising is free:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/

Here's another good truck forum with lots of info but the classifieds section for sellers is not free:

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

[Stuart]

Advertise any place you would try to sell any other old vehicle. Craigslist, Facebook, local newspapers, etc. It will be easier to sell locally if possible. If you want to spread a wider net, there's alway eBay, and Hemmings is still a thing. The American Truck Historical Society has a classified ad section: https://www.aths.org/back-lot-classified-ads

[Mister Pontiac]

These are some great ideas guys. Thanks for posting. I'll start checking into them this week.

[Sirrotica]

Racing Junk has a section for tow vehicles also, some just trucks set up to tow race rigs, but also rollbacks and standard tow trucks.

[66sprint6]

Would love to see some pics if you have them.

[jmt455]

She could try Bring A Trailer, too.
She can set a reserve.
Lots of cool & unusual stuff sells on BAT.

[Mister Pontiac]

Thanks guys for all of the great suggestions. I've been in discussion with my friend's daughter about these ideas, and we're charting a course.

Meanwhile, if anyone knows of anyone in the market for a vintage truck, please PM any details for me to pass along.

Here's a link to an article with some pictures from a couple years back about his 'restored' 1966 C50. It really is a cool machine...

https://www.streetmusclemag.com/feat...he-scrap-heap/

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Mister Pontiac

Here's a link to an article with some pictures from a couple years back about his 'restored' 1966 C50. It really is a cool machine...

https://www.streetmusclemag.com/feat...he-scrap-heap/

Now, that's cool, I don't care who you are!
Looking at something like that makes me think that restoring a muscle car seems like child's play.

[Sirrotica]

Warren reports that all of the equipment is fully functional. Other than some cleanup and maintenance, remarkably the equipment really didn’t need much despite being more than 50 years old.

You sure can't use it to haul a car without a sling, what's up with the sling being gone from the rear of the wrecker body?

Hard to believe they spent all that time restoring it, and left the sling off.........

[Bills Auto Works]

That is beautiful!

I was born in '62, my Dad was a truck mechanic at a GMC dealership in Cleveland all my growing up life. This body style truck along with the earlier "Crackerbox" body style are the ones from my earliest memories. I crawled on under & in many of these as a little kid.

I am pretty sure they left the sling off so as not to cause problems with people walking into it at shows, as well as taking up more room in its parking spot

God bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[TAKerry]

That thing is beautiful! Theres a guy down the street from me that is in the 'wrecking' business and has quite a collection of trucks. Unfortunately he is a die hard Ford guy, not sure he would even consider something with a bowtie.

[Sirrotica]

If the sling was stored properly there is no reason that it's going to protrude causing a parking problem, or a fool on their phone to run into it while not paying attention.

Picture showing a 480 Holmes (just a bit lighter rig) with the sling properly stowed.





Just seems like maybe the sling is possibly MIA. The brackets for a Holmes sling have been removed, leaving just the bolts on the rear of the wrecker body.

Maybe I'm too picky, but with the sling off the truck it's like it's unfinished and missing parts. Think of a classic car with the rear bumper missing in a show................

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Now, that's cool, I don't care who you are!
Looking at something like that makes me think that restoring a muscle car seems like child's play.

That IS a bit more substantial than what I was picturing...

K

[Bills Auto Works]

Yes, you are completely correct about the sling, I can remember in my late teens driving a tow truck for a local company. I also remember strapping up the sling & how much it rattled & was noisy bouncing around back there. Maybe that is why they didn't put it on...I have NO actual knowledge of the reason, just surmising.

God bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[SRR]

I put together a wrecker from an 81 Chevy stick shift dually and a Holmes 500 wrecker body. Bought it in Wellton AZ for $800. The PTO and assiciated parts was another $800. It works like a charm. It ain't pretty but will lift or drag anything. I traded a core 700R for the truck itself.

[SRR]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Now, that's cool, I don't care who you are!
Looking at something like that makes me think that restoring a muscle car seems like child's play.

That is so cool!