For the past couple of years I've been keeping an eye on a local truck that's been sitting in a carport about 2 miles from my house. It's a super clean, straight, and complete truck. I can only see the back end of the truck with all of the XLT tailgate trim, so it's probably a '75ish F150 Ranger XLT 2WD. The plates expired 2007...

I took a chance and drove around to see if the owner was home, the truck is parked at an abandoned house near the highway. I found the owner's single wide trailer down a gravel road an knocked on the door. The 86 year old owner came out, I asked him about the Ford. He tells me the truck is all rusted out and all of the wheels are seized up, says I wouldn't want the truck anyway. Then he says he's given the truck away 3 times already, but nobody has ever come back for it. I told him I was an old Ford enthusiast I asked him if he was interested in getting rid of it now.... he looked over at my crew cab parked in front of his place and said no, "I'll just let it sit there".

I briefly looked at his truck, didn't get too close for fear the banjo's might start playing. But it looked clean, straight, complete... the body wasn't all rusted out like he said, the two tone paint would clean up to be a really nice looking truck. The tailgate was in fantastic shape, no dents, the trim was all there and straight (would polish up nicely). It wasn't a work truck at all. If not... the parts from it would make my old crew cab straight as an arrow again.

Anybody else encounter the old owner who's told you "I'll just let it sit... or I'm gonna restore it someday" line?

How frustrating...

Well I'm gonna keep tabs on the truck and try to stay in touch with the owner to see if I can change his mind by buying him a case of beer or something.

 

I have made some of my friends mad from something you are describing. They get shut down from the jump all because they dont speak "good ole boy". That's how it is around here anyway.

 

My blue jeans and John Deere shirt didn't seem to help me out... judging by the PILE of empty beer cases next to his place, I think some beer money might change his mind as the summer heat comes

 

See you already knew the answer!!! hahaa

 

Those tough nuts are sometimes hard to crack, if you're really interested in the truck i wouldn't give up just yet, at least go back a time or two and try to soften the old guy up a bit, maybe he'll cave, maybe not, it's worth a try anyway.

 

You've already done the hard part by breaking the ice. A perfect next step would be to wait as long as you were intending (weeks/months?), and then when you are ready to go back.....

Make somethign up and ask him politely if he would be willing to let you look at something on his truck, because you are having an issue with yours, and you would just like to see how it looks on his. Something common between the trucks. Like you want to see how a fuel line underneath his is routed in the engine compartment, OR I think there is supposed to be a braket "here" and you were not sure, so you were hoping he might know or maybe you could take a look on his. You get the idea...

It shows your interest in him & his truck without you becoming obnoxious in asking over and over if you can have/buy it. Build the freindship first!

At 86yo he'll soon realize he can't take it with him. And unless he has a family member next in line for it or something, you'll be the first one he thinks of when he is ready to let it go. But it's probably a good idea to get to know his next of kin while your at it!!!! :0)

 

If it were me I'd show up with a case of beer and a Hooters waitress.

 

I have been trying to get this 80 something year old lady to sell me her late husbands 1969 dodge r/t charger that has been settin since 1985, she says that she just cant part with it cause her husband was the only person who had ever driven the car but I was serious about purchasing the car that she would have her grand son sell the car to me after she passes. He says he is fine with that. So I am in a waiting game. I contact him often to make sure he doesnt forget our agreement. I hope she lives a long healthy life, I just hope the car doesnt ruin before her time comes. Its in great shape right now and is in the dry so I think it will be fine for several more years

 

Run into that situation all the time. Last one I finally managed to buy had been sitting since 1982. Guy finally lost his job and called me. I just give them my name and number to call if they ever decide to sell. Some just have sentimental value to the person.

 

Ive had luck leaving name and number too. Ive been surprised when getting that phone call MONTHS later and have forgotten about both the truck and giving the dude my number.

 

My uncle has a 76 bronco in descent shape needs some work done to it been suiting for probably ten years at least! Will not give it up says hrs going to restore it some day! Yeah I'll believe it when I see it!

 

Many years ago someone put me onto a car that had been sitting for quite a while. Still a very nice car with a very rare option. I chased down the owner, examined the car and made him a fair offer, all the time using my best 'good ol' boy charm.'
"No, It is worth more than that." Several months later I saw it in a salvage yard, crushed. Either the guy was stupid or I really pi$$ed him off because he had my card.......Figure that one out, I can't.

 

you think he might have been talking about a DIFFERENT ford?

sounds like ol **** was confused and you could have overlooked his backyard?

either way, don't get angry about it. big ten sin area.

 

Money talks man, and its a universal language. Make him an offer and show up with cash in hand and a case of his favorite beer. Benjamin Franklin can be very persuasive.

Even if you lowball it would at least show him you were serious enough that he might counter offer.

 

An old rancher neighbor of mine has a mint '78 Super Camper Special he bought new I've tried to buy for nearly twenty years. Last time I saw it there wasn't a scratch on it and it only had like 60k on the odometer. He's got advanced Alzheimer's now. No family, never married. He's willed his muti-thousand acre ranch to Texas A&M when he dies. I doubt I'll have another shot at the pick-up. He always told me that when he got ready to sell it, I was on top of the list. Oh well, what can you do?