I have a 47' ford fire truck that i was thinking about selling and dont know the best way to sell. I have thought of a couple different ways 1st. as is, its in good shape but needs to be totally gone through. it has a 52 merc. flat head in it. 2nd. pull the motor and keep it? sell the truck as is. 3rd. pull the body off and sell it seperate. seeing that it was the water truck for the fire department it has a heavy duty frame and axles that arent real desireable I dont think that many people would want to restore the truck (ok i have thought about it) to the original condition. it seems that turning it into a rat rod or using the engine and body for something else would be a better route? let me know your thoughts
Cab and maybe the hood are the same as a pickup, if you are looking to make the most money, I'd sell the motor and cab seperate unless you can get the same money as the roller in the photo. Nobody IMO, wants to restore it to its original condition.
What you have is a 42-47 big truck that once was a fire truck. When they stripped off the firetruck bed and equipment you just have an old big truck.
From one FNG to another you might want to edit out the word "rat rod". Rat rod usually denotes something that is poorly constructed and unsafe. As to what to do with the fire truck I would sell it as is. It could be made into a really cool car hauler.
You will get the most for it parted out. Someone will want the cab with the doors. Cannot beat the old painted lettering. Keep the motor and most of the rest is probably valued as scrap. Neal
first thing as we all know, that cab can be sold to make a 40 -41 pick up and since it's a firetruck I'm willing to bet that it spend most of it's life indoors. So must be rust free or in better shape then most and that makes it worth more $$$$ I seen a firetruck cab with doors at a swap meet a few years back, guy wanted $3000.00 for it and it sold. my .02 cents later wayne
I see nothing wrong with cars built from "what you have laying around" call it a rat rod, traditional or a custum............whatever who gives a crap we all build cool cars! right?
"whatever who gives a crap we all build cool cars! right? " keep saying rat rod around here and you will find out who cares and mighty fast too. good luck and welcome to the HAMB
That's a pretty decent looking cab that the ''gotta have the patina" boys will have a fit over. It would make someone a pretty nice little rod sitting on a half ton short bed frame with the stock hood and primered half ton fenders and bed. Not my pot of tea but some guys wet their baggy pants over that thing. I'd have to vote with the guys who say that it is now just a "Big old truck" and as a big old truck the market is pretty limited. And yes the majority here view the r--r-- term as derogatory and meaning a crude and unsafe in your face assemblage of parts often destroyed beyond what even the most skilled craftsmen in the bunch could make a decent hot rod out of again. There also those of us who find it boorish to attempt to sell something on the forum in the first hour one is a member of the board. That is pretty much saying "hey rubes I found you guys on Google an now I want to see if you will buy my stuff".
I am not at all intrested in finding out who wants to buy my truck. I simply want to know what people think its worth? I have no doubt that i could put it on the corner and sell it for double what i paid ($750) in about a half hour.
Rat rods are here to stay and it isn't the ride it's the builder. Some are crap and some are really cool. The only real difference in a rat rod and a hot rod is the parts thing and if built right they are pretty cool (IMHO). As to value, your motor, if running and if it is a merc with the 4" crank it is worth probably $750 to $1500 depending on a bunch of stuff. I would estimate the cab alone at around $500 as is but if the gauges are nice and if it has a good heater, there are ifs to consider. Good luck.
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