Value of a 1928 AR Pickup

S

sky1928

Member
What is a rough fair value for a 1928 AR Pickup Truck. I have a chance to get one that was restored around 2000 and has sat in a business display since. It looks good, but I need to check it over and insure it runs. I want to make a far offer, but not over spend.
 
Do you have a photo, is there any rust in the last 14 years, has it been started or does it run, are the tires dry rotted, is there a clear title, is it open cab ( roadster ) or closed cab ?
Wayne
 
Running & tires are very minor. How much of the Early Original stuff is still on it makes a BIG $$ difference, plus body style & over all condition...There is no such thing as an "AR" car or truck..
 
Running and tires are not minor to me. Tires to replace can be $1000 for Goodyears and a rebuilt engine can be. $4000 easily.
Wayne
 
Some people put a premium on the E28's some do not. Have them start the bidding is the best way to go.

Are you a betting man? Tell them you have no idea if the engine is any good as you don't know how the engine was prepared when it went on display. Start listing all the things that could be wrong then make them an offer.

Just remember if you plan to keep the car for years to come, within reason, you can't pay too much you can only buy too early.

Pay what you feel is right then tell others you paid 5000 less then what you did.
 
I would suggest getting the Restoration Guidelines and educating yourself on the Early 28 stuff and then barter with them accordingly. Ron in Quincy has one and might could help you.
 
Most of the Open Cab deliveries built in 1928 & early '29 would have early '28 parts on them. All the left over early stuff went into the Commercial chassis as Ford policy.
 
I'll go out on a limb
the ar means nothing

9-12k would be a ballpark
go to ebay-hit the advanced search and see what has sold in the last month-only compare sold prices, not asking prices-big diff!
 
I sold a 29 for $3500 no motor. It was all apart and very little rust. I also saw a 28 bring 9k at a auction and it was a older restoration.
 
ronn said:
I'll go out on a limb
the ar means nothing

9-12k would be a ballpark
go to ebay-hit the advanced search and see what has sold in the last month-only compare sold prices, not asking prices-big diff!
Click to expand...

Well, Not Quite, "AR" It means that a part has been replaced by another one, ie; Clutch Assy.. Not the whole car or truck..:D
 
Just because a engine runs does not make it good. I have seen some real junk engines run. If some one tells me the engine is rebuilt that is not a plus. It makes me think how much will it take to get it right. Rebuilt is a over used word.
 
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Thanks to all that replied:
From what I was told, the "AR" meant it was the first "A" design produced after the Model T. I will have a chance to look it over and take some photos next week. It has a clear title and has been stored indoors since restored. I have since learned that it does run, but maintenance has been minimal over the storage years. I think Ronn's price is a reasonable ball park and I may offer in that range.
Thanks again for everyone's input, as I appreciate it very much.
 
I think "AR" refers to those early parts which couldn't be "forward-fitted" due to improvements in the vehicle - and would have to be retained in Ford parts inventories to support service on early production.

A lot of early features, such as the single shoe brake system, WERE upgraded, i.e. they were made "backfit-able" with a later brake system. Consequently there are not so many single shoe brake Model A's around. Most had been converted to the later system.

But a lot of early features were not - and required AR parts to maintain.

The term has come to mean "early" - or difficult to find the matching or correct part.

Joe K
 
You had better take some one with you that knows what an V-Early or Early "A" should have on it or you may be buying a 1928-29-30-31 parts truck..
 
didn't know ar had different meanings..............

always thought it was an early vehicle, same as sky-never saw much importance unless
we are talking about a 1000 point show winner, or one of the very first cars off the line, which many of us know, doesn't pertain to the majority of ar vehicles..........
there seems to be this preconceived opinion that if you own an ar car, it has some astronomical value, but when being sold, rarely holds water, as has been sited on the barn before.........
so the question, what is an older restoration worth for a pu truck.....
GUESS IT COMES DOWN TO THE QUALITY OF RESTORATION AND HOW WELL IT HAS HELD UP-sorry about the caps, bumped the wrong button
 
Looks like the OP got his input, so I'm not hijacking the thread.

On the topic of AR cars, I have a '28 Special Coupe, that is apparently AR. I've never thought of it as worth more dough, but always considered myself fortunate to have it. It's special quirky parts needs which are not obvious to someone else, have made the car seem more special to me. So, I guess I'm saying the AR can have a special, non-monetary value. I'll bet a number of unique A's are like that for their owners.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=3269&pictureid=27396
 
I'd like to toss out a thought on 'restored', and 'runs'. I bought a car about a dozen years ago that was amateur restored. It had been 'club-judged', and was pretty fair in regards to looks. I saw restoration pictures that included the shiney, freshly painted engine. Turns out, as I later found, the engine is worn to about .017-.018 cylinder taper. Seems like all the 'restorer' did was clean it up and paint it. Point is, you might be expecting a little more than you see. You don't need a good engine in a display vehicle. JMO
 
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