A friend of mine is looking for a 40 Ford radio. Another friend has a radio that has been sitting is a barn for years. I introduced them. The seller wants a fair offer. The buyer is afraid to make an offer. So my question to everyone is, What is a fair price for a 40 Ford radio? It is barn fresh, not bad looking and no one has powered it up in 50 years. Yes I know another what is it worth question.
If the radio was mine, I hadn't used it in many years, had no idea of it's condition, and had a friend who could use it and wanted it- I'd give it to him.
+1 on the donation. It will cost $400. to $700 to get it upgraded/made playable, so the up front should be low. I just had my '51 Merc radio overhauled, 6 volt and AM only, w/ new speaker, for around $400, 2 year warranty. Nothing sounds like a tube radio!
The 2 guys are not friends of each other. I put them together. I did this so I wouldn't get accused of making money on a friend and to stay out of the arguement when the wives found out there was money involved.
A complete working 40 ford radio in exellent shape and working condition that the average restorer puts up for sale is in the 200.00 to 300.00 range. That being said I have bought a few 37-38 good working radios and not payed more than 100.00 tops and nor would I. If it is untested, not working or in rough shape and no garantee. It is worth what the buyer can get for it. I will tell you one thing, it will cost a bundle to have it cleaned/repaired and or restored by a service shop.
I would offer the seller $100 for starters and be prepared to go up to what I thought was fair...........say $300.
19Fordy, That is in the price range I was thinking. I did a little research since I posted. My friend looking for the radio has gotten prices for "restored" radios that are a little crazy. As much as $1000 plus $400 core. ( I don't know who he talkes to, but the prices he quotes me on 40 Ford prices are always the highest I have ever heard) There is at least one on Fordbarn in as found condition for $250. I think I saw "restored" one on E*** for around $500 a while back. I never really trust buying "restored" radios. There are too many things to cause problems in a radio. The restorer cannot look at a radio too much.
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