Have a '67 F100 shortbed 2wd w/ 265ci?? six and 3 speed auto. Truck was left to me by a family member. Never been restored and seeing as how it's nearly 40 years old is in very good condition. The truck runs fine, the paint is fine and the interior is pretty good. There is a little rust in the bed, the seat has a few tears, dash pad is shot, but other than that its in really good condition. I would like to take it down and restore it to "like new" condition seeing as how it has been in the family for so long. The thing is I have no idea how much I could justify spending on this truck, b/c I don't have a clue how much it's worth....$1500 or $8000??? I simply have no idea. What is a good baseline to start with??? What have you used to determine what you can justify putting into a truck like this?

 

Depends on what you want to do with it if you want to make money or keep it in the family. As much I love trucks they don't bring the money older cars do. It is and always been a matter of what is worth to you. One thing about older veicals once they get to a certeen age and they are done right and nice they don't really lose there valve anymore. I guess what I'm saying it is stricly a matter of opinion on the owner. I have a car sitting in my gararge right now I spent more on then it worth and it is not even done yet. but I don't have any plans on selling it.

 

I don't plan on selling it at all and if I did I certainly wouldn't expect to make money. I am just looking for a baseline value. I don't want be unwise and just simply invest too much money in the truck.

 

The easy answer is it's worth what you're willing to value it at.

As has been hinted at above, older vehicles tend to re-value them selves. When in pristine condition, quite often a desirable vehicle brings much more, or several times over what it cost new. I saw a 70 F-100 at Carlisle go for $16,000 it had 250 miles on the odometer and was virtually a brand new [not a restored] 70 F-100 Pick Up.

So to establish a dollar amount baseline is a very difficult thing. There are too many variables involved. Having said that, the truck you describe has a fair market value of roughly $3500 to $4500 in the south east, as you describe it. I don't know about 265 engines, 240 CID or 300 CID were common I-6s of that period. In the early 1960s there was a 261CID but that will not simply bolt into a twin I beam chassis.

If all the little things you mention as flawed were repaired correctly, the truck could bring $7K to $7500, perhaps even more without all the rigors of a full blown restoration.

So what I would suggest is rather than getting into a "Like New Restoration" which will run you thousands of dollars, why not have the little things wrong with it repaired, or replaced by a competent technician, use the vehicle for a while and see how it goes & how you feel about the vehicle and project after some time has passed. Re-visit your position when you have gained more insight and can make the right judgement based on what you know as well as what you feel. You will make the best decision that way.

In closing, I should point out an Original, or mostly original vehicle in OEM configuration is worth far more than so called restorations that have been botched, or are less than the "Standard of the Trade / Industry". It is far more common for folks who have great intentions, but lack good means, and wind up with a "restored" vehicle that is actually less valuable than before it was improperly restored, or ruined by a bad job, shoddy workmanship, or just plain not being done right.

Also as you own & use the truck, start a journal with ideas & concepts. Not so much a set of directions/ instructions, more a compilation of thoughts, concepts, and other points for consideration before you actually do anything major with the truck. This is what a tell my clients when they come to me with a project they have not actually come to a concrete point or concept with.

I urge them to figure it all out before doing anything, and to be using the vehicle as they go about drawing their conclusions. You see in my opinion, one is better off being right with ones concepts and focused on getting it to reality so that it has the Max worth & Value, than be in a hurry and end up with a net loss instead of a Successful Outcome.

I hope this is of some assistance to you.

FBp