Good morning, a friend of mine asked me the value of his 49 F-1 as he is wanted to sell his project truck. I have mid 60’s trucks but not much experience with the earlier ford truck values.

Frame has been powder coated, engine has been rebuilt, new radiator, new brakes and master cylinder, oil bath air filter changed to paper filter, gas tank built for under bed, new gauge cluster, new clutch, new rear leaf springs, and a few other things.

I would appreciate your opinions on the value. TIA

 

Does the truck have a four speed transmission? Do the pictures show the current state of assembly?

 

Thanks for the pictures, they are helpful. I see a 4-speed transmission there, looks like the T-9 non-syncho.

By saying 'engine has been rebuilt' - does your friend know to what extent? With new rings, bearings, valve seats, freeze plugs, valve springs, oil pump, etc...the whole nine yards or just disassembly a few gaskets and clean-up? Reason I ask is that it matters for value purposes. It isn't at all common for a engine builder to use such multiple colors for the parts and non-original ones at that. Does it have good glass, a good seat, gauges and wiring to go along with it that aren't pictured?

With the actual engine condition known it will help narrow down a value. The pictures show a good start for the project - perhaps a little under halfway done.
Tom

 

I’m told 4 speed trans and yes the pictures show the current state of assembly.

 

Thanks Tom, he is getting me more pics and I am hoping to meet him at this shop and ask these and some more questions. I will know more to answer these questions and then post them here. sorry, I’m bit premature.

 

This would seem to be an opportunity to fire up the 52 Merc signal light. @52 Merc

 

Good morning, just wanted to circle back again from my friend’s 49 F-1 with more info and pics. The trans is a 4sp non-synchro, as for the engine, a local machine shop did the machine work and a mechanic did the rebuild. New pistons and rings, cam & all bearings, valve seats freeze plugs valve springs oil pump NOS, it does start and run he just like the paint colors he put on it. 12 volt system, all chrome but the “R” for ford, brake system all rebuilt, new rear leaf springs, new shocks, new LED headlights in box, fuel tank mounted in frame, windshield has a crack, rear glass good, window glass hardware there, glass not so much, see pic. With the frame powder coated irs hard to make out the VIN, but see pics four VIN from truck and glove box door. Located in SE Washington. Looking to get an idea of an asking price. Thank you!

 

I'm not quite understanding why it looks like rubber core plugs. Was there a reason?

 

While I'm sure the work already completed is well done, there are some unfortunate realities:

Clearly, the truck is mostly in big pieces
Metal work remains
Neither the I6 nor the 4 speed non-synchronized are typically sought in a build (I happen to be an I6 fan)

As it sits today, $3500 to $5000.

And no, it isn't right or fair.

 

Thanks for providing more pictures and background on the truck. After looking through all of them twice and doing an approximate calculation of the cost of the further work needed, I'll agree with a range of 3,000 to 4,000. However, the low end of that range (or less) will kick in under a few scenarios. The first being if the potential buyer lives in a region that has a shortage of body shops that will do old vehicles. The shops that do - will have 1-3 years of work lined up and costs just keep going up. Next scenario is if a potential buyer needs to haul that any great distance to where they live - its in pieces and you'll never know if you got them all until you do the final assembly. Expect some missing or incorrect small/medium pieces that can be very hard and time consuming to find/replace. A third scenario is that a potential buyer is capable of doing their own fabrication and bodywork, and will likely strip down every bit of that assembly and do it their way, and will not not want to pay a high amount only to re-do nearly everything.
I am a fan of the 226 engine, so that isn't the detractor for me as far as valuation. Those motors are simple and reliable. The non-synchro transmission doesn't add much value however, if you have to drive the truck alongside modern traffic.
Like mentioned above, this isn't fair but it's real. Hopefully others will add their estimate of how she sits and you can get a well rounded value.
I hope to see it on the road again, and hopefully by gaining a new member here.
Tom

 

Tom, excellent synopsis, Thank you I appreciate your input. I to would love to see it back on the rode again. Ill pass this on and await possibly more thoughts.
jim