Please don't flame me, but the thought has been in my head and I need opinions, and input from other enthusiasts.

As some of you know, I recently acquired a beautiful 1956 F 100 with the "big window" beautifully built by my Grandpa & Uncle. When my Uncle gave it to me, he said I could do whatever I wanted to with it, (including selling it if I wanted to). I know it is a very cool truck to own, however, my love for automobiles lies with Toyotas, Land Cruisers to be more specific. I have a 97 Cruiser built-up for off-roading, but I have always wanted a vintage FJ40. I have been looking on Ebay, Craigslist, etc. and nicely restored Cruisers are going for around $15K, some even more.

The Ford just sits in my garage, except for when I drive it to work on sunny days. I have already had two people ask if I wanted to sell it. They ask me every time they see it actually. I just don't have the appreciation for it that it deserves. I know out there somewhere is someone who would love to have it and would be excited about it the same way I would about an old Cruiser. So what do you guys think? Should I hang on to it even though It's not really what I want, or let someone else have the opportunity to own it? Thanks in advance.

 

I sold my 69 mach 1 a few years back and have not regretted it yet. It was my favorite car ever at one time. It was not as nice as your truck though, it was still a bit of a project and with all the other projects and things to do it was a releif to have one less thing to work on.

I have a jeep too and have beat the snot out of it on the hammers and AZ trails, the rubicon is just a bumpy road. I don't know how much you wheel or how agressively you wheel but I always feel bad when a nice restored rig gets beat up on trails, I imagine thats whay your 97 is for. For even camping your 97 would be a better fit. So your FJ-40 would just be a street cruiser anyway, might as well be something diffrent like a pimp 56 f-100.

Your 56 is more desirable by the masses and it has some great family history I would have a hard time parting with it personally, but you also didn't build it yourself, so you may not appreciate it as much.

I would keep the 56 but then again I am not a cruiser guy, I tend to just keep getting more cars, they are all diffrent and I like that. In the end when you sell it you just have money.

 

You have a gorgeous truck there. If it was handed down in my family, there is no way I would ever part with it. My son would get it.

On the other hand, it's not my truck. It is yours. And in this world, you only go around once. You could easily get the 15K you're looking for from it (especially in CA).

So, whatever floats your boat, Dude. (But, I wish you hadn't asked the question...)

 

I sold my 74 FJ40 so I could start my 56 f100 project, I've never looked back! (well almost never)

Wayne

 

Before you do anything that you can't take back, why don't you attend a couple of cruises and car shows? You might develope some enthusiasm for the hobby, and learn to appreciate a nice truck. If not you can always sell it later.

But Hey,what do I know? UFF DAH!!!!

Wayne

 

Frankly I am jealous. I never had the opportunity to inherit or buy my Grandpa's old vehicles after he died. I really wish I could have that part of his/my past.

I still have the first truck I ever bought, and I intend to pass it on to my grandchildren(wether they want it or not).

With that said, if you really have no great desire to keep the truck, then sell it. Just think about it hard before doing it, 'cause once it is gone, it is very likely gone for good.

 

I sold Dad`s 53 Ford 36 years ago and if I could find it no matter what shape it`s in I would buy it back.
If you do keep it just a bit longer, go to afew shows and if you still want to sell it then go with what you think is best.

 

If you are not going to drive it, give it back to your uncle. There is too much family in it to sell.

All the members of your family will hate the idea of you taking it and selling. Perhaps there is another grand or even a great grand kid who will treasure it. It is worth more than money.

JMHO, but I would never speak to a member of my family that sold such an item. My dad sold his last Model A to a stranger to keep me and my brothers from fighting over it. It was worth more to each of us than his house. We all would have traded our share of his estate for that Model A.

 

Oh one question, is it a project your grandpa picked up to build or was it his personal truck for some period of time?

 

Thanks for all the great replies everyone! There is no other grandchildren, I'm the only one. And my Uncle never had any kids, so I'm the only Nephew. Maybe I should attend some shows, and see what it's like. My Uncle gave it to me 'cause he lost interest in it. He and my Grandpa prefer their older cars to tinker with, (pre WWII era). The answer to the last question is it was a truck that my Uncle had wanted to fix-up, so my Grandpa helped him.

 

I stand corrected. It sounds like there will be no family problems with you selling it.

 

Maybe no family problems, but personal ones like guilt or regret!

 

If you have doubts wait untill you feel sure about your decision, especially if you have the proper storage. I sold my 67 Mustang F/B and ended buying it back 4 long years later. I was lucky that I could even though it cost more to buy it back.
I have sold some vehicles that I shouldn`t have, I have bought some I should have passed on, life can be strange at times.
Hopefully you will find what`s right for you and go with it, just take enough time to decide.
Good luck, it`s a tough choice, been there....

 

I think you have to go where your current interests lie. Over the years I have done the older Ford hot rods, the British sports cars with a couple of Austin Healeys, the Camaros and Firebirds, the Vettes, the 4x4s with a couple of Jeeps, and now old trucks. Your interests change with time and when you get bored with one phase you move into another. Sell the truck to someone who will really appreciate it (for awhile) and get what you want. Life is too short to hold on to something you aren't interested in!!!

Vern

 

You ended up with the truck becasue the person who gave it to you (your uncle) had lost interest in it and and hoped you would appreciate it. If it were me (you asked) and I intended to sell it so soon after acquiring it, I would give it back to my uncle whether he wanted it or not.

Sounds to me like your uncle wanted to give it to someone to enjoy and appreciate. If it isn't what you like, no problem, but let him have a second shot at accomplishing what he wanted for the truck. It's the best way to make sure there aren't any problems with your uncle down the road. You can always pull together the $15K for the truck you want but you don't get any more uncles. If you are the only one left for him to pass the truck along to, it sound's like you might be a bit short on relatives and you wouldn't want to lose one over a truck.

This is one reason (there are others) I never accept gifts like this no matter how well intented, Thgey become boat anchors hung around your neck if you want to get rid of them.

Good luck. I'm sure you will do the right thing whatever that is.