Are older trucks really worth this kind of money?

[AlanCasida]

I was watching this truck sell on Purple Wave auction and was a little stunned at the price it got($5000+10% buyers fee). When I looked close at the pictures I see bondo popping out of the rear wheel wells, a crummy repaint, torn up seat, no radio, all the heat and a/c components removed from the firewall, the wrong year of bed...and the list goes on. This is not a fluke either. I have seen several older trucks that weren't real nice sell on PW for what I consider high prices. Am I out of touch with current trends? Are they really worth this kind of money?

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/210505/item/HO9363/1973-Ford-F100-Pickups_and_Vans-1/2_Ton_Pickup_or_Van-Oklahoma

[machoneman]

Ah, maybe not trucks so much but there is a shortage of new cars, driving up, a lot, the prices on virtually all used vehicles. Btw, in most areas, now is the time to sell that old(er) car IF you don't need a replacement anytime soon.

[chilly460]

I started just casually looking last year, and quickly realized prices for old trucks are going through the roof!!  The 20-somethings have picked up on them for hotrodding, all makes and all models seemingly, 60-70s era.   Yes, doesn't surprise me that truck brought $5k.  It's "complete" and not a total basket case = $5k. 

I bought a '64 shortbed, rust free cab, rust in bed, crown vic frontend installed, about $1000 in parts....paid $4k.  I feel like two years ago would've been a $2500 truck. 

Have you seen what any shortbed that's been lowered with a "decent" drivetrain is going for?  Patina trucks are bringing $25k.  Have you seen what crew cab F250s are bringing?  Saw a very nice 67-72 at Carlisle that sold at $70k...it's nuts.  Don't get me started on early Broncos...$50k is commonplace....they are cheap and easy to restore but are bringing more than high option real musclecars. 

[AlanCasida]

I started just casually looking last year, and quickly realized prices for old trucks are going through the roof!!  The 20-somethings have picked up on them for hotrodding, all makes and all models seemingly, 60-70s era.   Yes, doesn't surprise me that truck brought $5k.  It's "complete" and not a total basket case = $5k. 

I bought a '64 shortbed, rust free cab, rust in bed, crown vic frontend installed, about $1000 in parts....paid $4k.  I feel like two years ago would've been a $2500 truck. 

Have you seen what any shortbed that's been lowered with a "decent" drivetrain is going for?  Patina trucks are bringing $25k.  Have you seen what crew cab F250s are bringing?  Saw a very nice 67-72 at Carlisle that sold at $70k...it's nuts.  Don't get me started on early Broncos...$50k is commonplace....they are cheap and easy to restore but are bringing more than high option real musclecars.

That's what I've been seeing too. The last couple of years I've seen the asking prices go crazy on older trucks up through 1979 but I was never sure they ever sold but on these auctions they have. My '67 F250 is getting where it needs new paint and I was kind of looking around for a suitable replacement but after looking the prices of these things I've decided I might as well just fix mine. I know exactly what condition it's in and what needs addressed.

[Joe-JDC]

I don't know about where you live, but a local Toyota dealer sold 778 new vehicles in March, and could not get enough Tundras for customers.  I bought a new "parts runner" just to have a little vehicle that gets 40+ mpg.  Older vehicles are bringing premium prices due to flooding, hail damage, and new cars not being available because of shipping issues due to covid.  Folks with stimulus checks buying cars like crazy.  Joe-JDC

[cjshaker]

Trucks have been going up the last 10-15 years. I suppose there are several explanations, but certainly one being the price of new trucks, and even "newer" trucks with miles on them. There's still a lot of people who can't afford $30k-$70k trucks. Buying an older one, and putting some money in it if need be, is a good value on many levels. Another big part is the nostalgia aspect, much like the growing popularity of station wagons. The plus side being that they are still very useful.

The same has been happening with the 'off' cars, ones not typically seen as desirable in the past. When all the really popular ones have gotten so expensive, and harder to find in reasonable condition, the less popular ones are drug up in value simply because it's what people can afford to buy and fix up.

[TJ]

I've read (but not confirmed) new trucks require $2000 software to diagnose and calibrate things like the blend motors for the heating/cooling.  To me that's off-putting when compared to my '65 which has what looks like a choke cable to adjust the amount of heat and a lever under the dash to direct the heat.  Controls on the '65 last forever...not so much with controls on new trucks but end result is the same...both control and direct the heat.  It's like the new trucks skipped right past nice and went for silly. 

Older trucks can be "souped" up for more power and resist rust about as well as new trucks.  And now you can swap in relatively modern auto trannies.  I can understand the increased market for older trucks.  The asking prices have gone way up in the past 15ish years.

[chilly460]

I don't look at it like old trucks are replacing new trucks, I look at it like they're one of the last "vintage" vehicles that was affordable, so they took off with the younger crowd.  If you look around, engine swaps are rampant...and frankly piss me off.  I see it like this, the common hotrodding vehicles all were cheap and accessible (32-34 Fords, Tri 5 Chevies, Fox Body Mustangs), and many times engine swaps were done to use the cheapest possible combo.  With everything down to a 6cyl Maverick now commanding $$$, the only older vehicles left seemed to be the shortbed pickups.  The LS swapped "bumpside" is the new common hotrod platform. 

Vast majority of these trucks aren't really being used as trucks, they're lowered considerably and many times the bed has to be cut to accommodate the frame kickup over the rear wheel. 

[turbohunter]

I’m obviously an old truck guy. One big reason they appeal to me is that you can load at a workable height. The bed height on the new trucks are so high you need a step ladder to put tools or whatever next to the cab. Of course they are now mounting retractable steps in strategic spots but that just solves a created problem and adds more expense. My 61 is a joy.
Oh and one more thing. Bumps and dents are (to me) the prettiest trucks ever made.

[TJ]

I’m obviously an old truck guy. One big reason they appeal to me is that you can load at a workable height. The bed height on the new trucks are so high you need a step ladder to put tools or whatever next to the cab. Of course they are now mounting retractable steps in strategic spots but that just solves a created problem and adds more expense. My 61 is a joy.
Oh and one more thing. Bumps and dents are (to me) the prettiest trucks ever made.

Yeah it’s funny on the RV forums guys will sometimes talk about the step ladder they carry to reach into the truck bed.  Weird thing about my ‘65 is that even with the relatively low bed, it still has good ground clearance.  It’s as if the designer wanted to make a practical vehicle.

[turbohunter]

It’s as if the designer wanted to make a practical vehicle.

What a concept

[Tommy-T]

You guys been reading my mail.

I've been looking for a pre 1976 pickup for a while. I don't mind paying 15K for a decent truck but finding one has been "problematic". What I think is decent is apparently too much to ask. I don't care about the paint, but rusted out cab mounts and rust around the top of the cab is not something I want to fix.

I want to get an old truck to do truck stuff, not to be my hot rod. I'd like to tow my Comet from LA to the dream cruise in Detroit so i'm looking for power brakes and steering. I can add air conditioning myself.

 

[Falcon67]

I need to get the 93 F-350 over to the shop to repair the exhaust leak then put it out for sale.  Now's time to ask big $ and be happy with what I get LOL.

[cjshaker]

You guys been reading my mail.

I've been looking for a pre 1976 pickup for a while. I don't mind paying 15K for a decent truck but finding one has been "problematic". What I think is decent is apparently too much to ask. I don't care about the paint, but rusted out cab mounts and rust around the top of the cab is not something I want to fix.

I want to get an old truck to do truck stuff, not to be my hot rod. I'd like to tow my Comet from LA to the dream cruise in Detroit so i'm looking for power brakes and steering. I can add air conditioning myself.

If you weren't on the other side of the country, I could hook you up with the perfect candidate.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Ugh, the truck market today.  New trucks...crazy and I have no love for the looks or the functionality(too much crap to fix).  Old trucks....getting ridiculous in price because of new trucks being stupid expensive.  Every rusty POS is now priced beyond ludicrous.  Unless you are lucky to find a real "barn find" that is reasonably priced, you are SOL.

My '95 F150 I paid $8K for nearly 5 yrs ago.  I think I could flip it now for that amount and I have doubled the mileage since I bought it.( It has 130K, had 60K).  I can't drive it anywhere without people chasing me down to complement me on it.  But if I did sell it,,,what would I replace it with?  Nothing out there.

I'd like to have another 67-72, but can't find/afford one.  What would be super cool, F350 class C camper pulling the wagon around. 

My '69 will be around for a long time.