I'm looking for an F100 (67 - 69). I'd like to get one with a V8 and a manual transmission and a fairly straight body. Problem is, I live in Iowa and most of the trucks like that are rust buckets, and those that aren't are too expensive. Looking at the classifieds here, and in Hemmings, and on sites like auto trader show me that these trucks can be had for the price I'm looking to spend (less than 2000), but I'm gonna have to travel to get one, or buy one without seeing/hearing/driving it in person and having it transported here.

Has anybody bought a truck that way and what are the things to guard against. I know that I can't get a hard estimate, but does anybody have a rough idea on what it should cost to have a truck transported halfway across the country? (seems kinda silly to spend a bunch of money transporting a 2K truck, but like they say on the Sopranos - Whaddya gonna do? )

Thanks

 

I haven't done it, but I've come accross a web site you could try, www.autoshippingquote.com aparently you can get several quotes from different companies there. However, I remember somebody telling me they spent somewhere between $500 to $600 for an insured shipper in a box truck (not an open trailer). Maybe that web site will help.

 

Yesterdaystractors.com has people that transport tractors and would probably haul a pickup as well. Find a rust free body from out west. Won't find a real nice truck for under 2K though. Also, making a transaction can be tricky. You can wire money to their bank and have the banker then mail his title to the vehicle. Go through their bank as much as possible. Kurt

 

Thanks,

I like the idea of working through a bank for payment. I was wondering how to go about actual transfer of title, etc.

I know that all I will be buying is a truck with a body that isn't rusted through, but I think I can find one like that (and get it shipped) fairly cheap.

Thanks again.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Nov-02 AT 11:43 AM (EST)]Maybe some one of us could help you find it.

Here is a link to one in Kansas (I think). I found it in the Dallas on-line classifieds, by searching for all 67,68,69 F100's within a 500 mile radius.

http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/standard/results/single/nl/detail.jhtml?paId=116487844&aff=dallas&src=&cid=

If one were to show up in the area, I would be glad to go take a first hand look, and maybe get some pictures.

As far as getting it to you, that's is a difficult problem. I have a friend who bought a car from Washington (state) and was thinking about takiing vacation time to go and get it, but after calculating the cost in trailer rental, lost income, etc, he decided to pay the $600 to have it shipped to his house.

I was afraid the link may not work, here's the scoop:
$1,200, FORD F100 1/2T PU '68 ac, ps, auto, 7K on rebuilt 390, $1200/obo, 620-285-3613

Winford

 

Wow! - now THAT'S service!

I appreciate the heads up, and I will add cars.com to my search website list. I am going to keep looking for a little while, I think. Christmas is coming and I may wait to see what Santa brings....

Thanks again.

 

I bought a car this summer from an internet ad. I think the Internet is great for FINDING a vehicle, but I can't imagine using it to buy a vehicle sight-unseen. After contacting the owner, he sent me actual photographs (paper, not e-mail). A few e-mails got me the basic information I wanted, then I talked to him a couple times on the phone. It was after the phone calls that I felt comfortable dealing with this person. I told him that I thought his price was fair, and if the car was as nice as he said, that I'd buy it on the spot. I had to drive about 600 miles (with check in hand; I had used a home-equity loan) to find that the car was EVEN NICER than he said. I thought I was going to look at a nice used car, and I found a true show vehicle. I handed him the check and DROVE it back home. Other than breaking a fan belt, it ran perfectly. In fact, it ran better the more that I drove it. Since then, it has taken a trophy in every show I've entered it in. Couldn't be happier. If you're not comfortable driving a vehicle on it's own, consider renting a car carrier (U-Haul has 'em) and towing it back. You'll need to have your own truck or borrow someone else's, because NO ONE will rent you a truck for that purpose (unless you rent one of U-Hauls large moving vans). Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I got to buy the car of my dreams from a really upstanding individual (we've kept in touch, and he's coming to visit next year!). I hope you're as fortunate as I was. Good luck!!