What's a 1977 F250 4x4 worth

[Ripsnorter]

Howdy folks.

I've been pondering what to do about my trucks.. Well, I've already decided but I want input from real world truck guys.

I need a nice running truck. My 77 needs some work, and it's not my dream truck, but I LIKE it a lot. I'm thinking I should just put the money into it until it's nice, and then when my "dream" truck comes along, I can sell it and swap.

So, if I were to put time and money into my 77, what would it be worth finished?

Finished it would be:

1977 F250 4x4 Standard Cab
460 (non stock obviously, they weren't available)
4 speed
Perfect New Paint
Perfect Interior
New Wiring throughout
Basically restored mechanically and cosmetically inside and out. Not a show truck, but nearly.
Wired for trailer

What's the value? I know that's variable depending on region.

Am I out of line in thinking that something that is nearly perfect in and out, restored, new paint, should bring $8,000 to $12,000? I see them on ebay and craigslist down to $3,000 or $4,000, but there's always "something" wrong here or there that needs work at that price.

[averagef250]

I think you have a good handle on the value of your truck as described. It won't be an instant sale at that price, but a nice 77 highboy should get nice old truck prices.

Funny thing to me is how same truck, but crewcab is worth 3 times as much.

[Ripsnorter]

In my experience the value guides are off base on our trucks and haven't been updated in years. From observation this is what my feelings on values are:

up to $1,000 for a parts truck/beater driver

$1,000 to 3K for driver up to nice-ish.

$3,000 to 5K for something that's decent but needs a little bit of work here and there. Can be driven without fear though.

$5K to 8K for even nicer.

$8,000 to 12K for something very very nice but not quite show worthy. Needs nothing though.

$12K to 20K for a perfect show truck.

$25K would be the most I can see anyone paying for a bumpside or dentside no matter how nice.

Sound about right?

[Ranchero50]

Well, usually whatever you think it's worth, divide that by three of four and you'll be close to what it'll sell for when you need it gone.

[Kurt Combs]

Most likely you will get your cost of materials back, and nothing for your labor. That's the way it always works for me. I spend more on my bump than I can ever get back out of it, but I love driving it. I always calculate my expenses (rationalize) based on cost per mile. My bump cost me $400 and an immediate "investment" of around $2,000 six years ago. I have put 60,000 miles on it since then. I have had to make a few repair along the way, but it has gone up in value while my wife's minivan has lost $3,000 a year in depreciation. I just spent a lot more on it, but I couldn't recover the expense if I sell it. I get it back by driving it and not making a truck payment or having expensive insurance.

[Ripsnorter]

Actually that's exactly the way I'm looking at it Kurt. I should be able to get my money back out of it and the only "money maker" will be the use I get out of it until I sell it. I can live with that.

My family has been messing with buying, selling and restoring old cars and trucks for at least 40 years, and you never make money restoring a car and selling it. Not unless you don't count your time. The only real way to make money at it is to get paid by someone else to restore their car. A neighbor of ours has been paying 3500 a month to a restoration shop for over 2 years now, whether the guy works on it or not. He's got 95,000 dollars into the thing, plus the cost of the car itself, and it's still not done. Wish he'd given me the job..

By the way, looks like I've located a ZF5, 5 speed transmission to put behind the 460. SO that makes me a little more inclined to just keep the truck. Woot for me!

[Kurt Combs]

$3,500 a month whether or not they work on it? Now I know how I am going to finance my retirement!