[Espeefan]

Hi guys. I'm just curious if any of you ever get the itch to buy an old class 8 tractor truck, just to restore or play with? I don't know why, but I've got this itch. I've always had it, but I find myself looking on E-Bay, looking at truckpaper.com, and Craig's List for old classic trucks. I can't really imagine the amount of time and money it would take to restore one, but for some dumb reason I like the idea.

For instance I found a 1972 Peterbilt 359 the other day, in my state, with a Caterpillar 1693, 13 speed transmission, and air ride. It's listed for $7,000, or best offer. I have no idea on the truck's condition. No mileage, or history posted. One photo in the listing just shows the truck is all in one piece yet, and it looks like an old work truck. I guess I'm just really curious if anyone has ever taken on a project like this. I read online that it could cost $32K just to rebuild a Cat 1693 engine, out of frame, and that kind of freaked me out, but I have no idea if that is an accurate number or not. I can only imagine what paint, body work, polished bumpers, visors, stacks, and rims would cost. This truck already has a full set of aluminum rims, and brand new tires in the rear, but still.

The logical side of me says I'd never get my money back out of it, but maybe that's not the point. I just think it would be cool, though I would have no need to own a truck like that, and I feel it would just be an expensive toy. Maybe I'm crazy....thoughts?