The Ford Barn

sturgis 39 · 04-10-2011, 07:14 AM

I would have to know more about the engine. I have seen restored trucks on e-bay that only bring 6 or 7 grand. The problem with these trucks is the size. They take a lot of room in a garage. I love them

Neil Wilson · 04-10-2011, 09:18 AM

I have gotten requests for "what's it worth" several times. So, I made up some text regarding this subject as listed below. For the truck shown in this thread, I suggest that an Ebay reserve of $10k which can be lowered to meet the bidding after the first auction is completed (which will likely be below $6k). Basically, let the market determine how much to sell for. If the owner does not do Ebay, then maybe a friend could list it for her for a few $'s or a small % of the selling price?

And, some better information/pictures showing the normal rust out areas (rear of cab, bottom of doors). Better pictures of the platform (it looks like the Ford sold 88-A platform with original stakes). Non rusted and excellent sheet metal + a Ford cargo body adds to the value and makes for better selling points!

AA Truck – What is it worth?

As is true of about anything, an AA is only worth what buyers are willing to pay. Most AA’s require more $’s to restore than what it can be sold for. If it has had an “assembly line type restoration” and has received 400+ points (out of 500 possible) at a MARC or MAFCA national meet, then the truck should be worth much more than other so called “restoration”. Most restorations which are marketed as “100% original” are far from it! The term “restored” is used to identify a wide range of restoration efforts (poor to excellent).
Ebay provides a good information source for seeing how many $’s are bid on AA’s. Most complete AA’s that I see on Ebay end up not selling because the reserve is not met. Most folks (including myself) believe that their AA is worth much more than anyone will actually pay. If money has been spend on a project (purchase and restoration costs), many believed that those dollars should be what it is worth. This is usually not the case. But, you can use Ebay to establish what buyers will pay.
For example – you have an AA platform which you consider restored and worth $16k. My suggestion is to put your truck on Ebay for a 15 day period. Put a reserve on it for the $16k (therefore it will not sell for less). Put a starting bid on it of $1k or less. With this ad, you will see what buyers are willing to bid across the US. Maybe there are 10 bids with a high bid of $10k. If the reserve is not met, Ebay will allow you to rerun the ad. You can change your reserve at that time if you want to.
If you just have no idea what your AA is worth, then you are safe by putting a $75k reserve on it. But you must start with a low starting bid of $1k or less. Putting a high starting bid (like $5k) might just result in no bidding and therefore no information is gained! The $75k reserve should cover rare AA’s (like a panel delivery, service car, ambulance, express, etc.). Normally thou, AA’ers with a rare AA have a good idea on its value.
I think that this is the best way to figure out if your asking price is close to what buyers will pay! You will need to post lots of informative pictures with your Ebay ad. Bidders will not bid much for something they can not see in detail!

Neil Wilson · 04-10-2011, 09:29 AM

BTW - I like pat in Santa Cruz post. Sounds like great information. The big selling point is the sheet metal. If it is excellent, that will drive the value and sell the truck. If the chassis runs, then that should be a slight plus. Good wheels is a dollar item (hard to actually determine with tires). Excellent tires adds value (for a driver).

1931 flamingo · 04-10-2011, 10:34 AM

Just looked at a late 31, wide bed, steel top, good condition, BUT needed to be gone thru, asking $9200.
Paul in CT

Chris in WNC · 04-11-2011, 04:26 AM

it has worked for me with 2 different Model A Tudors and a Plymouth P4

none made reserve, but in all 3 cases the car eventually sold for very close to the high bid, which was about $2000 less than my reserve.
pretty consistent

I'm always willing to write off my losses as entertainment value.
cheaper than golf or keeping a boat.

04-10-2011, 07:14 AM	#21
sturgis 39 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lead. South Dakota Posts: 963	Re: Model AA Truck, whats it worth? I would have to know more about the engine. I have seen restored trucks on e-bay that only bring 6 or 7 grand. The problem with these trucks is the size. They take a lot of room in a garage. I love them __________________ IF IT CAN NOT BE FIXED WITH BLASTING WIRE, JB WELD OR DUCT TAPE ---IT CAN NOT BE FIXED Do not get me started on the stupidity of ethanol. I think one of the monitors is from Iowa and he will delete the thread.

04-10-2011, 09:18 AM	#22
Neil Wilson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 563	Re: Model AA Truck, whats it worth? I have gotten requests for "what's it worth" several times. So, I made up some text regarding this subject as listed below. For the truck shown in this thread, I suggest that an Ebay reserve of $10k which can be lowered to meet the bidding after the first auction is completed (which will likely be below $6k). Basically, let the market determine how much to sell for. If the owner does not do Ebay, then maybe a friend could list it for her for a few $'s or a small % of the selling price? And, some better information/pictures showing the normal rust out areas (rear of cab, bottom of doors). Better pictures of the platform (it looks like the Ford sold 88-A platform with original stakes). Non rusted and excellent sheet metal + a Ford cargo body adds to the value and makes for better selling points! AA Truck – What is it worth? As is true of about anything, an AA is only worth what buyers are willing to pay. Most AA’s require more $’s to restore than what it can be sold for. If it has had an “assembly line type restoration” and has received 400+ points (out of 500 possible) at a MARC or MAFCA national meet, then the truck should be worth much more than other so called “restoration”. Most restorations which are marketed as “100% original” are far from it! The term “restored” is used to identify a wide range of restoration efforts (poor to excellent). Ebay provides a good information source for seeing how many $’s are bid on AA’s. Most complete AA’s that I see on Ebay end up not selling because the reserve is not met. Most folks (including myself) believe that their AA is worth much more than anyone will actually pay. If money has been spend on a project (purchase and restoration costs), many believed that those dollars should be what it is worth. This is usually not the case. But, you can use Ebay to establish what buyers will pay. For example – you have an AA platform which you consider restored and worth $16k. My suggestion is to put your truck on Ebay for a 15 day period. Put a reserve on it for the $16k (therefore it will not sell for less). Put a starting bid on it of $1k or less. With this ad, you will see what buyers are willing to bid across the US. Maybe there are 10 bids with a high bid of $10k. If the reserve is not met, Ebay will allow you to rerun the ad. You can change your reserve at that time if you want to. If you just have no idea what your AA is worth, then you are safe by putting a $75k reserve on it. But you must start with a low starting bid of $1k or less. Putting a high starting bid (like $5k) might just result in no bidding and therefore no information is gained! The $75k reserve should cover rare AA’s (like a panel delivery, service car, ambulance, express, etc.). Normally thou, AA’ers with a rare AA have a good idea on its value. I think that this is the best way to figure out if your asking price is close to what buyers will pay! You will need to post lots of informative pictures with your Ebay ad. Bidders will not bid much for something they can not see in detail!

04-10-2011, 09:29 AM	#23
Neil Wilson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 563	Re: Model AA Truck, whats it worth? BTW - I like pat in Santa Cruz post. Sounds like great information. The big selling point is the sheet metal. If it is excellent, that will drive the value and sell the truck. If the chassis runs, then that should be a slight plus. Good wheels is a dollar item (hard to actually determine with tires). Excellent tires adds value (for a driver).

04-10-2011, 10:34 AM	#24
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Model AA Truck, whats it worth? Just looked at a late 31, wide bed, steel top, good condition, BUT needed to be gone thru, asking $9200. Paul in CT

04-11-2011, 04:26 AM	#25
Chris in WNC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spruce Pine, NC Posts: 1,533	"eBay appraisal" it has worked for me with 2 different Model A Tudors and a Plymouth P4 none made reserve, but in all 3 cases the car eventually sold for very close to the high bid, which was about $2000 less than my reserve. pretty consistent I'm always willing to write off my losses as entertainment value. cheaper than golf or keeping a boat. __________________ no more model As for now........