50-year collection of 1940 Ford Parts - Lots of NOS

[35fordtn]

You have a lot of value there. I would grab a few things and try the eBay route. If you have the time and ability you will do quite well. Be prepared for the 1099 that you will received from the sales. But if you sell the collection to a dealer we will only pay half or less due to costs travel and the same selling fees. I see several items that will command pretty good money so take your time and research and ask questions lots of us would be willing to help. Be weary of those messaging you want to come look and make offers on singular items

[fgaller]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

You have a lot of value there. I would grab a few things and try the eBay route. If you have the time and ability you will do quite well. Be prepared for the 1099 that you will received from the sales. But if you sell the collection to a dealer we will only pay half or less due to costs travel and the same selling fees. I see several items that will command pretty good money so take your time and research and ask questions lots of us would be willing to help. Be weary of those messaging you want to come look and make offers on singular items

Sorry I can't reply to everyone, but here are my thoughts:

1. My plan is to start with the high value items (NOS grilles, Columbia 2-speed parts, Spotlights/Foglights, etc) and put those on Ebay. As others have said, no doubt there is a lot of dead stock here (I doubt anyone is super interested in tail lights, window glass, etc)
2. I may entertain selling Lots off when I get through some of the high dollar stuff and take what I can get. The market for these parts is shrinking so I understand that we are talking pennies on the dollar.
3. I restore 1966-1977 Broncos and do a lot on Ebay so I'm not worried about the effort or tax implications.
4. I am located in Northern Minnesota.

[37 Coupe]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

You have a lot of value there. I would grab a few things and try the eBay route. If you have the time and ability you will do quite well. Be prepared for the 1099 that you will received from the sales. But if you sell the collection to a dealer we will only pay half or less due to costs travel and the same selling fees. I see several items that will command pretty good money so take your time and research and ask questions lots of us would be willing to help. Be weary of those messaging you want to come look and make offers on singular items

So he should be weary or wary of someone like me who sees a needed part for his car or project? He should be wary of a singular buyer a hobbyist and only deal with a parts dealer? Hopefully I will see the part I need for my project on your Ebay site starting at a penny but reaching at least a hundred.

[fgaller]

Originally Posted by 37 Coupe

So he should be weary or wary of someone like me who sees a needed part for his car or project? He should be wary of a singular buyer a hobbyist and only deal with a parts dealer? Hopefully I will see the part I need for my project on your Ebay site starting at a penny but reaching at least a hundred.

I think their point was to be weary of low ballers.

[37 Coupe]

Originally Posted by fgaller

I think their point was to be weary of low ballers.

I hope you put the parts on Ebay so everyone gets a shot at them. I don't like the fee they charge but you have a lot of viewers if they can find the stuff.Try to always place "Flathead Ford" ,if that is what the part is for,in your item heading.

[35fordtn]

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Originally Posted by 37 Coupe

So he should be weary or wary of someone like me who sees a needed part for his car or project? He should be wary of a singular buyer a hobbyist and only deal with a parts dealer? Hopefully I will see the part I need for my project on your Ebay site starting at a penny but reaching at least a hundred.

That is quite the opposite of what I was stating. My exact response would be that a dealer will low ball. I think eBay is his best option as the value will be recognized by the bidding. My statement of not selling singularly to a person is that there are a lot of people who will take advantage of a situation. For example, a set of 1940 Columbia controls to someone who doesn't know would appear to be a $5 part, not a $300 part. Personally I enjoy selling at ebay auctions starting at 0.99 with no reserve. gives people a chance at a good deal.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

That is quite the opposite of what I was stating. My exact response would be that a dealer will low ball. I think eBay is his best option as the value will be recognized by the bidding. My statement of not selling singularly to a person is that there are a lot of people who will take advantage of a situation. For example, a set of 1940 Columbia controls to someone who doesn't know would appear to be a $5 part, not a $300 part. Personally I enjoy selling at ebay auctions starting at 0.99 with no reserve. gives people a chance at a good deal.

Michael, I could not agree with you more.
eBay is a great venue for selling stuff like the original poster now has. Yes, it takes time and effort, but the realized sale prices are (from my lengthy experience) far better than any other venue.

I never got taken advantage of but did get very tired of those attempting to do so. Thus, I stopped the swap meet circuit 20+ years ago.

I am currently selling off a large portion of what remains of my "stash". I start with very reasonable prices / no reserves. I figure better than leaving this stuff for my wife to have to deal with eventually.
If the stuff doesn't sell, it hits the trash.
That's sad (to me) but that's today's reality.