Why does everyone think their old truck is made of gold?

[Bumpside Collector]

I looked at a rough 69 F-250 today. It was a chassis-cab configuration, or a home made version, that had a non-running 360 with a 4 speed. The flatbed was nothing but a frame, the interior was shot, the radiator had a hole, the battery tray and fender apron were rusted out, and the front bumper had been replaced with a homemade winch bumper that looked bad. There were a few good things about the truck. The original dog dish hubcaps were all there and in good shape and the cab corners were sound. I didn't check any of the other trouble areas though. I looked at the for sale sign and I knew things were going down hill quick because they had it listed as an "Antique" farm truck. It looked to me like a $500 truck at best, maybe 800 if you really wanted an F-250 bump. I called the number and the guy said it had been sitting up for 15 years but it was running when parked and he was asking 1500 bucks! Did I mention the hood was ruined by the racing style pins sticking up through the hood? I know a guy that just bought a complete '67 F-250 Camper Special with a 352 that is in great shape for 500 bucks. Are too many people watching those auctions on TV and thinking that their 40 year old rust bucket is is worth a million bucks? I just don't get it.

[69rangerf100]

good possibility

[ezernut9mm]

they're gold when you go to buy, but trash when you are selling.

[Bumpside Collector]

I have a 72 Ranger XLT that is straight and was running that I only paid $1450 for and I drove it everyday for several years. Real nice restored trucks seldom sell for more than 6K around here.

[fordman]

yes but didnt lincoln sleep in it on his way from illinois to washington? or was it the truck that bonnie and clyde got shot in while in arkansas?

[1969FordMan]

I have came across that a lot. There is rust in the floors, bed, inner fenders, etc etc. Dont run, its mixed and matched and they want $2500 for it. I came across that a lot. I found my bump for $1,500. Its in OK shape, a little rust on the bed sides, bad dash, but it runs and drives great. You have to look because for every 100 people who have a rotten egg and think its gold, there is a nut with a golden egg that thinks its rotten. I bought a running 1990 Z71 2500 Chevy AND a 1997 Blazer for $300 for both (they needed about $250 worth of repairs each) I bought a Nissan D21 in OK shape but ran great for $500, Dealsare out there you just have to find them. I tend to pay more for old Fords than I do other makes. I wanted a bump for years, finally found one right up the road.

[NM5K]

yes but didnt lincoln sleep in it on his way from illinois to washington? or was it the truck that bonnie and clyde got shot in while in arkansas?

They probably got shot at, at some point in Arkansas, but they were actually shot in Louisiana.
They shot and killed a Marshall in Arkansas though. When I go up to Oklahoma, I pass right by the site
where they killed one deputy, and bad wounded the sheriff. "Stringtown, OK"
There was a dance at a place there on the highway, and Clyde and a couple of other crooks were out drinking
in the parking lot, which was illegal. The law saw em, and when they approached them, they started shooting.
Roy Hamilton was one of the other crooks.. I think his first name was Roy anyway..
That was the first lawmen they shot in their short careers.. Six days later they killed a storekeeper
in Sherman TX, which is not too far south down what is now US 69/75..
My dad's family was from Hot Springs. My grandfather talked about a lot of gangsters being
around that area back in the 30's and 40's. Dillinger used to hang out there, along with Al Capone,
and a whole load of other characters. He said he got robbed by one when he was delivering groceries
one time. "He had a grocery store at that time" He often delivered to people out in the sticks,
and I believe he was using a Model T truck at that time if I remember right. I know it was a Ford
truck.. Could have been a Model A, but I'm thinking it was a T for some reason.. That was like in
the early 30's or so..
I guess the guy snuck up on him when he was stopped.. He pulled a gun on him, took all his money, and runnoft.

And yes, I agree... Some people get delusions of grandeur when pricing their trucks.
I wouldn't pay any $1500 for a truck that doesn't even run.. That's insane, unless it's some super
rare or desirable model. Or maybe has a first class body, but a blown engine..
But a semi beater with a ugly bumper?

[Sparx Macgyver]

You guys arn't getting it. The rust on these things are caused from gold particles in the air. The gold is so mynoot (doubt it's spelt that way) that it doesn't effect us. It doesn't effect muich, but with older cars and trucks, it turns them into a veritible gold mine. Quite possibley, the older it is, the more it may be worth it's weaight in gold.

[basketcase0302]

They probably got shot at, at some point in Arkansas, but they were actually shot in Louisiana.

I remember seeing what was suppose to be Bonnie and Clydes car back in the early 70's. Had hundreds of bullet holes in it-blood on the seats-the whole nine yards.
The car was in Slidell, Louisiana.

[fireguywtc]

I experienced the same problem when I was in the market for the 4x4. I found one guy that had a highboy that was non-running and had over a million miles on the truck (different motor). He was asking 3k and would not go any lower then $2500. He told me how it was in his family, blah, blah, and I told him good luck buddy.

Next was a guy in Houston area that had a non complete 2wd conversion to 4x4. It had the front axle done but no transfer case and I guess it was running and driving. Don't know what else was involved in the conversion. He would take no less then $3800 so I never went and looked at it.

I am glad it worked out like that though, cuz I love my current 4x4 and got a fair deal on it.

Keep your head up and looking for the one you want. They crazies will figure out there mistake soon enough.

[NM5K]

It got bought by a casino and they still show it around.
I was curious as to if it were the real deal car, or some fake
that someone built up.
So I checked it out using the movies of the car taken at the
scene of the shooting. Also some other still photo's.
All the bullet holes match. It's the real deal.
http://texashideout.tripod.com/warrencar.html

[Bumpside Collector]

We even have a gangster museum in Hot Springs now. Maybe the truck was somehow associated with the mob back in the late 60's early 70's and that is why the guy thinks it is worth so much. i may run by there and take some pics of the truck and post them up so you guys will have a better idea of what I'm looking at. I have owned, driven, and admired these old trucks all my life so I feel like I know what a good price should be for one in any condition. I bought a '67 Ranger SWB from a guy for 200 bucks. It needs floor pans, core support, fender apron, and an engine but overall the truck is in fair shape, not just a beater but a builder. See this thread for the truck http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=51804. I just didn't know what to say when the guy said 1500 bucks. I think the call ended something like this...." Uhhh OK uhhh thanks for the info", and then I hung up.

[Tim P.]

They are Gold! <To Us>

[AlleyCat]

I paid a bit more than average for my 72 but it had a reman engine, a fresh trans, all new tires and the owner had all the reciepts. I don't think it's made of gold nor do I believe I could ever get what I paid for it plus all of the repairs and upgrades but I wouldn't give it away either.

[Jarred Hodges]

to me it seems they are priceless when you go to buy them and worthless when you try to sell. The only way you can sell a truck now is if you are willing t give it away