I'm looking to buy a '51 F2 from someone that lives down the street from me. It has a F6 motor in it, a little bit of rust on the body, and it hasn't run in 2 years (current owner says its the starter motor). The guy wants 10,000$ for it; is this a fair price?

 

Maybe in running condition if the body is in decent shape, but I would not pay that much for a non running truck especially if it has rust. Do you have pictures of said truck?

 

The body only has surface rust and I don't have any pictures at this time.

 

Welcome to the forum. The information you've given so far is not enough to establish any kind of value. For that kind of money, it should be a running, driving, non cobbled vehicle. Detailed pictures might reveal what it may be worth.

 

I agree with Ray (always!) on assessing a price without pics. There are a couple of additional items to consider: F2s are typically priced at a discount compared to a similar F1. Not running for 2 years likely also means that brakes, fuel lines, and the battery may all need updates. Most of the driver quality 48-52 F1 trucks sell for 5000 to 12000. With something special - chrome, engine work, great paint, a competent suspension conversion - you can run higher - and still not approach show truck pricing.

As a starting position, 10K is high for a non-op vehicle with surface rust. More info and pics will help immensely.

 

Condition and location play an important factor in the value of a vehicle. I don't know where you live but in my neighborhood, a truck described like yours would likely be closer to a $2000 truck. Maybe less. Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your negotiations.

 

I'm in Maryland just outside of DC so that may play a roll in its price.

 

Always suspicious that something as simple as a starter would prevent the seller from fixing it himself, and selling for a significantly higher price.

 

Sure, but not eight grand. He sounds like another old guy that thinks his rust is gold. Don't overpay. There's lots of these old trucks out there that can still be acquired reasonably.

 

Uh-oh, another Gordon! Any relation, Nick? He is just south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

 

On the east coast 'surface rust' has a different definition than the western part of the US. Some folks north of you think that if a rotted area isn't big enough for a cat to pass through or the frame isn't folded in half, it's just surface rust.
If that truck has any area you can poke a finger through there is no way it is worth what the seller thinks. Because there will likely be seven or eight other areas more concealed the same way or soon to follow. If the rust is really on the surface and can be blasted away with sound material underneath then that is a different story and not a huge value-drop.
The condition of the fenders, bed, tailgate and running boards is vert important on an F2 and has the biggest effect on value. They are not reproduced and will get spendy if you want to find used replacements or fix what is there.

The only non-running six cylinder F2 that can have a market value above 5-6 thousand would be one with a five-star extra trim package, a sound and straight bed, working controls and gauges, true surface rust and still retains all of it's original major components. A well done professional steering and brake update would boost it also.
If the truck was restored properly in the last 15 years or so, was stored inside and simply has been unused and won't start now...then maybe the 10 grand figure isn't far off.
Pictures would help a lot to determine regional value. Let us know and we'd be happy to offer further value suggestions.


Tom



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"Rust Free" = "No Extra Charge" 'round these parts.

 

Hi Gordon and welcome. I'm not one of the experts but that sounds like a lot of money without a thorough exam. If indeed it did run 2 years ago a lot can happen in 2 years. Rusted drums electrical problems from critters, gummed up fuel system Etc. A couple of spots that are famous for rust are door bottoms, cab corners, fenders where they meet the running board, bottom of the cowl. Im not trying to scare you off , all I'm saying is definitely have someone who knows about older vehicles take a look B4 you buy. At very least take pictures and load them for our FTE experts to look at. Oh yeah make sure it has a clean title. Best of luck, if not this one , like stated by others, there will be another one.

 

I think a member on here just sold their F2, and it was right around that price range. However, it was a VERY nice truck. Fully functional with nice paint, so that should give you some idea what a real nice driver should go for. Personally it sounds overpriced no matter where you are located. I would say if the rust really was just surface, not likely, and it was just a starter motor, again not likely, 3-4 grand should be top money for a truck like that. As stated above, just from sitting, the mechanicals should probably be gone through and some of it replaced most likely. Again it's really hard to tell without pictures and even then, things are always hiding in the shadows. POST SOME PICS!!!

 

Lola makes a good point. Here is the truck that was sold for around $10,000. Now I think this was a fantastic deal, but it is a point of reference. It is a 56 F250. So it would be a similar comparison.



Pictures of what you are looking at will help our experts greatly and feed the addiction of people like me.