Trash or Treasure? Two rough Uni's
Posted: November 14, 2014, 9:00 am
I've been looking for a shortbed big back window Uni for over a year. I'm planning on a custom one off so the chassis, drive train, interior etc. are not important. But solid bed sides and cab are (floors and steps can be fixed obviously). I can find solid ones from time to time but they are always out west 2-3000 miles away. So I found these two Uni's about 150 miles from me and went to take a look. He's not actively trying to sell them, but let me look anyway. They are both very rough and not convinced either of these will be worth dragging home. At first glance I was very interested. But even though they seem solid and original metal (imported from Kansas many years ago), they have sat for many years outside and the undersides are heavily rusted. I've done extensive rust repair on vehicles before and know as soon as you try to grind, sandblast or weld this metal it will disintegrate before your eyes.
That being said, I think for the right price it might be worth it as there are some parts that might be worth getting.
Uni #1 big back window has some redeeming qualities as the rear window isn't cracked, but the trim has a couple of dents. The hood is shot and totally rusted around the edges. It's a '63 with door plate and some paperwork. The inner fenders are rotted away (can't see in the picture) and radiator support is paper thin. Bed sides seem solid with no filler, but have some bad spots. Has most of the Custom trim and is in very good shape. Has some unique rear view mirrors/spot lights. But as cool as they are and all glass intact, they are still heavily pitted. The tailgate is in fair shape but is rusted out on one side. Grill has two holes cut out. The engine is unknown but looks like a modern big block - air cleaner has 400 sticker on it.
Uni #2 is rougher as far as the bed sides. Radiator support seems more solid, and the hood is better than #1 (even though it has heavy surface rust, it is very solid and no dents). The grill is in excellent shape. The floors look to have been repaired. It's a '62 and has data plate on glove box.
I was considering taking them both home, but the time and expense of hauling two trucks kind of makes it not worth taking #2. I am thinking maybe offering taking #1 but also take the hood and grill from #2 (although I know it's the incorrect year grill)
Thoughts?
That being said, I think for the right price it might be worth it as there are some parts that might be worth getting.
Uni #1 big back window has some redeeming qualities as the rear window isn't cracked, but the trim has a couple of dents. The hood is shot and totally rusted around the edges. It's a '63 with door plate and some paperwork. The inner fenders are rotted away (can't see in the picture) and radiator support is paper thin. Bed sides seem solid with no filler, but have some bad spots. Has most of the Custom trim and is in very good shape. Has some unique rear view mirrors/spot lights. But as cool as they are and all glass intact, they are still heavily pitted. The tailgate is in fair shape but is rusted out on one side. Grill has two holes cut out. The engine is unknown but looks like a modern big block - air cleaner has 400 sticker on it.
Uni #2 is rougher as far as the bed sides. Radiator support seems more solid, and the hood is better than #1 (even though it has heavy surface rust, it is very solid and no dents). The grill is in excellent shape. The floors look to have been repaired. It's a '62 and has data plate on glove box.
I was considering taking them both home, but the time and expense of hauling two trucks kind of makes it not worth taking #2. I am thinking maybe offering taking #1 but also take the hood and grill from #2 (although I know it's the incorrect year grill)
Thoughts?