Looked at a '63 f100 custom cab, solid body no rust thru, beds in good shape w/tail gate. Every things original. No fiberglass. Original 292 v8 with oil bath air cleaner. Has some surface rust and faded/cracked paint. Interior all original never been messed with. 3 on the tree. The truck is sitting on a dealers lot. It looks like a one owner truck that somebodys grandfather had and never messed up by trying to "restore" it. Talked to the dealer on the phone, says they'll take $3,500. I'm thinking more like $2500. What is a truck like this worth nowadays? Am I dreaming at $2500?--Jack

 

BJ,

There are 2 tings for sure about "dealers". They believe there is an A$$ for every seat, & they Believe everything is worth what the hungriest buyer is willing to lay out for it, ya know?

But there is another thing about dealers also. $$$ talks & Talk walks. He can't see the color of your "dust" over the phone.

BUT if you were to park your truck or "ride" around the corner, or have someone with a "not so nice" looking ride take you there with your $2500 offer. Have your "friend who drove ya" hold the tax, tag, title & $500 or $750 of your cash, so you can "Borrow" that from him, I bet you could buy that truck for $2K cash on the table. No dealer is going to let 2 grand walk out the door when he has a sale lookin' him in the eyes. . . . His greed won't let him!

That being said, remember 64 & earlier, although lookin' like a 65 or 66 is far from being a 65 or 66 and all the easy upgrades are done on the 65 & 66 versions of Slicks. HAving said that, if you really want a 63 50th Anniversary Slick have at it Man!

FBp

 

Thanks BJ,
I had a '63 years ago. It was my first pick up and I had alot of fun with it. I've always had my eye out for another. This truck could be restored to like new cond. pretty easy since it is solid and everything is there. I may take your advice and try to get it for about 2k. You know the dealer didn't give that much for it.--Jack

 

Is it a unibody(cab and bed are attached together) or does the bed look out of place? If its a uni-body, was the rear window really big or just small? What do you plan on doing to it? Check the wiring harnesses to check for "cottie-bob" mods. Since it's a custom cab, it should have a chrome grill and dash cluster, -4speed

 

4 speed,
Its a short bed step side, not unibody. I didn't notice the dash but it's got the chrome behind the door handles. If I get it I'd drive it for a while and then try to resore it back to original. Take it apart and make it look brand new. I think the grill was painted white. What are "cottie bob" mods?--Jack

 

Jack

Just remember, don't stroll in there, wander in instead. Don't look flush, look like you're in a bind and a pinch too. If a dealer smells or senses $$$$ you got no chance! They're predatory by nature and what they do best is get customers' cash.

So after all being said, on how to play the "game", I will tell you this in all honesty, depending on where you are located 3,500 for a turn key driver is not all that bad, and if there is nothing really terribly wrong, [aka Body Rot, Cracked Frame, or something else structurally compromised, or unsafe] in a major Urban area the 3500 could even be a very good price.

Down here in the Central Florida Area $2500 gets you a truck that will be in need of some work, $3K can get you a driver that might need a little work and $5K will get you a decent truck. But a righteous truck is gonna cost some serious donerro from $8K-up.

I wouldn't part with mine for twice that ($16K) and I doubt too many people would pay me that either, but there are always one or two who can and do.

You have a wise plan, and that's the best way to work it out, by driving & using it before making any decisions. Also I suggest you form a "Plan" when you get around to doing your restoration too.
I write them out for my clients [& myself] so I can do effective and efficient work using the critical path method and approach.

Good Luck and good shopping to ya' Jack. Keep us informed Man!

FBp

 

Good, most prefer the unibody or the stepside. Sounds like somebody added the door guards off a 65-66. "cootie-bob" mods are just quick and cheap fixes that often refer to things as cut dash for a cd player, small non original steering wheel and so fourth. But then again, it all depends on what kind of resto you plan on doing. Fordboypete has good advice on buying, I would definealty try his methods. -4speed

 

Just bought a 1966 ford F100 from a friend of my son. It had been "barn kept" in Nebraska. The friend was joining the Army and wanted to sell it. It had sentimental value to him and to me. I paid $3500 plus traveling money. The $3500 bought me a "66 truck with a few minor dents, no rust, a rebuilt 300 block that the friend installed and the chrome rims and tires he put on. It was driven from Nebraska to Virginia over a period of 28 hours with an average speed of 70 mph. Did I mention the 43,000 original miles. Take the dealer as low as you can go and enjoy your new ride. It is worth it. Everywhere I go, people are drooling over the pickup and comment on the fantastic condition.

 

I'M NEW BUT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FORDS ALL MY LIFE.I LIVE IN NEW YORK WHARE OLD FORDS ARE FOUND ALL OVER. LAST YEAR I CAME INTO TWO UNIBODYS 63. ONE A SHORT BED THE OTHER LONG BED. BOTH IN RUNNING CONDTION. JUST NEED MINOR WORK FOR 2.000 ALSO I'M WORKING ON A 40 FORD COUPE AND A 29 HUP-MOBEAL . SO IT SEEMS THAT PRICES ARE VERY DIFFRENT FROM STATE TO STATE. ALOT OF OLD FARM TRUCKS UP HERE.

 

I've got too many irons in the fire finacialy right now to get this truck. If anyone's interested it's at Lawson Chevrolet in Jasper Ga.--Jack