For Sale Price check. 1972 fj40

Year

1972

Vehicle Model

1. 40 Series

Location

United States

Mileage

1234

Color

Red

Hey guys. So quick question. Somehow I managed to see an old fj40 almost completely hidden in a garage in my neighborhood the other day. Been past house 1000 times before but it was hidden beneath so much crap I never saw it until the other day. Promptly walked over to my neighbor to get the story. Old guy says he bought it off guy who had let it sit up for 20 years in barn in AL. He bought it 15 years ago. Got it running then clutch went out 10 or so years ago and he parked it where it now sits. Could not crawl all over it but it appears stock. Very minor surface rust from sitting. Hard top lost years ago but still has hard doors and soft top in attic?? Clock says 66 and some change. He says it’s correct. After market wagon wheels and SOR roll bar with long jump seats installed. Triple front seats looks good with one hole in vinyl. My question is I would like to make him an offer. His wife wants it out of garage bad. I don’t want to offend him or rip him off. I have been out of 40 game for awhile and moved on to 60s. Knowing it’s not currently running and the amount of work it may take....any thoughts on what would be a fair offer??? Thanks in advance

 

[bhsdriller]

No way to know without more information and a lot of pics, at this point we're just guessing

I'd wait till he's gone and make an offer to the wife if you really want it

 

[letterman52]

2-4K.

 

[overton]

I’d concur - $3500 unless you can evaluate it. Likely needs hundreds if not thousands in work to sort it out.

 

[thebigredrocker]

You could easily spend $5-10K to make it road worthy. That's if you don't hire out the labor. So if you can get it for $2K you'd have $7-$12K total invested. That's how I'd look at it. I bet a decent hardtop would cost you an additional $2-3K.

 

[overton]

I guess what we’re really saying is ZERO would be the optimal price.

 

[letterman52]

I guess what we’re really saying is ZERO would be the optimal price.

I haven’t gotten that lucky yet.

 

[Mac62]

So what I’m hearing is don’t spend much on it because I will end up spending a bunch getting it put together and sorted out. Maybe it would be worth it if it was a later model??Thanks for the info. As always it’s appreciated

 

[overton]

So what I’m hearing is don’t spend much on it because I will end up spending a bunch getting it put together and sorted out. Maybe it would be worth it if it was a later model??Thanks for the info. As always it’s appreciated

A good starting point would be to find out what the owner thinks it's worth. I he spits out a low number, then you can get motivated. I paid $1000 for an 81 "parts truck" (with a hard top) and no engine.

 

[workingdog]

If there's no rust in the tub or frame, it's worth more than what's mentioned.

 

[Camper Dave]

I agree with overton, you need to establish what the seller "thinks its worth". That will point you in the right direction. There are too many variables at the moment, and with no pics everyone would just be throwing a number out there.

If I am looking at a vehicle that has sat for a long time, I bring a battery to ensure it will at least turn over ( NOT START) for a couple seconds with out a rod knocking. At that point I know I can get it to start at home after changing belts, hoses, plugs, wires, and rebuilding/replacing carburetor. More money spent. That being said, you then have a starting negotiating point and can factor in all the cosmetic issues etc. A great deal is not a great deal if you can't enjoy it on the road.

Hope it all works in your favor!

 

[Mac62]

Yeah. All very valid points. Thanks for the input. I kept trying to get him to give me a number and his wife kept chiming in to make them an offer (which I did not do because I did not know yet what it could be worth). In conversation he mentioned that he thought he remembered paying 10 grand for it 15 years ago?? Who knows if that’s actually correct amount. He also mentioned he had asked a couple of shops over the years about getting it running but never got around to it or wanted to spend the money on it. Obviously I would never pay Anywhere close to that for it Thanks for all the info

 

[thatcabledude]

Yeah. All very valid points. Thanks for the input. I kept trying to get him to give me a number and his wife kept chiming in to make them an offer (which I did not do because I did not know yet what it could be worth). In conversation he mentioned that he thought he remembered paying 10 grand for it 15 years ago?? Who knows if that’s actually correct amount. He also mentioned he had asked a couple of shops over the years about getting it running but never got around to it or wanted to spend the money on it. Obviously I would never pay Anywhere close to that for it Thanks for all the info

Let us know what happens! I'm local and curious.

 

[EStein]

Yeah. All very valid points. Thanks for the input. I kept trying to get him to give me a number and his wife kept chiming in to make them an offer (which I did not do because I did not know yet what it could be worth). In conversation he mentioned that he thought he remembered paying 10 grand for it 15 years ago?? Who knows if that’s actually correct amount. He also mentioned he had asked a couple of shops over the years about getting it running but never got around to it or wanted to spend the money on it. Obviously I would never pay Anywhere close to that for it Thanks for all the info

I can’t imagine he paid 10 grand for it 15 years ago! Personally if it is a rust free body and the engine turns over, I would probably pay $8k or so. Maybe more. I just recently bought a rust bucket though and the thought (dream) of a rust free body makes me really happy! Bottom line is if you really want it, then it’s worth whatever you pay for it. (within reason of course.). Good luck. Post photos if you can.

 

[Bear]

Move it. Moving it shows they are serious about getting rid of it. If you can get him to roll it out of the garage, with all the crap piled on and around it, and with the wife in the background, outside now you can see if it even is something you would want to tackle. If so, be understanding of his situation, talk about the work it will need, the costs for parts and the hours just to get it running, hemming and hawing, and saying you're unsure if you should consider it-- at that point then ask him some feeler questions about price. Try to figure out if he's the kind of guy that likes to go back and forth negotiating a price to feel he's upped what you might offer. Calculate in your mind where you want to end up with the price, let him gain some money. Negotiate. Let him feel he isn't just giving it away; it has value; it's just a lot of work to make it right.

With his wife realizing it's already out of the garage, she will possibly push him into just getting rid of the thing, rather than push it back inside. Let them know you'll come back with the money and bring it home today so they don't have to stick it back in the garage for another ten years. If he's unrealistic with pricing/value, give him time to come back down to Earth. Leave him your phone number and ask him to give your offer some thought, and that you'll think about it too. Let him maintain his dignity, and whatever influence she has over him, it's not done in front of you.

It's about dignity and pride and giving up on a failed dream, accepting your offer of help, not just money. It's him pleasing his wife and honoring her wishes. It's seeing you have some enthusiasm as he once had to bring it back to life. Don't look like a wheeler-dealer, be a family man--if you've got a kid, bring him/her with you, and let 'em show a bit of excitement for a "family" project. Or bring your wife and let her visit with his wife and talk about how stuff just builds up and how much time needs to be spent on these projects, and how your wife understands all the hours involved.

You really are doing him a favor--he just needs reassured it's time now to let go.

Best of luck !

 

[Mac62]

Agreed. Thanks

 

[rainingagain]

I am in a very similar situation as OP. My neighbor asked me yesterday about a 67 FJ40 shes trying to get rid of. Her husband passed away a few years ago. She's sold off all of his other projects, this is the only one left. Its absolutely bone stock and 100% complete, hard top and all. I've always wanted one of these and this is probably going to be my only opportunity.

I haven't had time to really look it over for rust. It's been sitting in their shop since they bought it from the original owner in 2001. Hasn't been touched.

I'm new to his FJ world and really have no idea what to offer her and she is reluctant to put out the first price.

 

[EStein]

I am in a very similar situation as OP. My neighbor asked me yesterday about a 67 FJ40 shes trying to get rid of. Her husband passed away a few years ago. She's sold off all of his other projects, this is the only one left. Its absolutely bone stock and 100% complete, hard top and all. I've always wanted one of these and this is probably going to be my only opportunity.

I haven't had time to really look it over for rust. It's been sitting in their shop since they bought it from the original owner in 2001. Hasn't been touched.

I'm new to his FJ world and really have no idea what to offer her and she is reluctant to put out the first price.

Post some detailed photos if you can. Lots of knowledge here.

 

[rainingagain]

Post some detailed photos if you can. Lots of knowledge here.

I was finally able to get some photos.

Post some detailed photos if you can. Lots of knowledge here.

I was finally able to get some more pics. A bit more rust than I had first thought. The running boards are rusted out. The drivers rear corner was badly patched with fiberglass. Some rust in the fender wells but not that bad. Nothing I am afraid of anyway. The frame is solid.

I did check that the frame and body VINs match.

Should I create my own post for this? I’m kind of glomming in to OPs here...

 

[rainingagain]