Is this worth saving - what is it's value? Oh, and Fawk Cancer (1 Viewer)

[45Kevin]

This was a project that a life long acquaintance of mine was working on.
He passed away last week after a short bout with cancer. Fawk Cancer.
The 45 is '77 or '78 I think and I have no idea of it's history.
It is located on the east coast of Canada.

The photos are mine taken during a recent trip home.

He has separate good condition doors for it and a few other bits I believe. He also has a good condition tailgate. He stripped a previous 45 of the good parts before sending it to the scrap yard.
The frame looks rough but I believe it is solid.

I may be interested in buying it myself as I have strong roots in the east and could find a place to store it until I was ready to work on it. My friend's widow is not even thinking about it right now but I would like to be ready with useful info for her when she starts cleaning out his stuff. I don't think any of his local friends and family are interested in it.

 

[45Kevin]

 

[45Kevin]

 

[Michael B]

Kevin it's probably a 77' since there are no defrost vents in the dash for the side windows. The old truck is pretty far gone but I have seen worse brought back to pristine condition. It just takes time and money.

 

[Bear]

Sorry about your friend. Most of us in the back of our mind wonder if the Grim Reaper is out there lookin' for one of us.

Yes, I would say worth saving, but how much depends on how bad the rust is once you clear away the clutter and really get to look the whole thing over with a cautious eye. You're Canadian and so you know the drill. It likely will be worth less to someone with no repair skills or no interest in a huge undertaking.

Why not have his wife arrange a garage sale for all the clutter (putting aside anything car-related and then take a much closer look before suggesting any prices/value to her.

 

[45Kevin]

A few more pics.

 

[45Kevin]

I will be down home in June and have offered to inventory what he has and help with a sale.

My friend was a mechanic and knew his way around vehicles. I'm sure he thought it was worth saving.

I'm kind of interested in a possible value given the recent find and purchase in WY.
It is about as far east in NA as you can drive and probably not running, so shipping anywhere will be expensive. I assume that there is a clear title so shipping to the US should be possible.
I am tempted to buy it and get it running to use it while I am visiting home each year. If I did I would like to make a fair offer.
That might allow me to restore my current 45.

 

[KT40]

Sorry to hear about your friend Kevin. What ever you do, if you end up with it, make it a tribute to your friend.
He must of been a great person. Mechanic. Land Cruiser owner. 45 guy. Get it.

 

[xtremeVA]

Rest in peace to your friend. ✝

What better way to keep his memory alive then to get his project back on the road again. Even if you sell the vehicle to someone else please keep the legend and story of your friend connected to the vehicle. Yep, it has the east coast rust issues, but in the hands of the right person it will live on.

 

[73fj]

Save it.
fawk cancer, it got my mom.

 

[dr_claw]

that one is in better shape than mine when I started! Good luck with the build, and sucks about the cancer.

 

[alberta mac]

Sorry to hear of your loss ! What would your friend be happy with ?
I've repaired worse from the frame up and think 90% can be repaired by great techs. What I see doesn't put me off, although the frame may need replacing which is not a problem. ( use a 60 or 80 series frame or stretch a 40 series frame ) I would think ship it up here and repair it if you have the skills and time. paying someone to rebuild or finish it may put you in the poor house if you only want to drive it there. Getting it on the road and keeping it would honour the friendship I would think imho.