What would you pay for this 40 (1 Viewer)

[fordoford]

Hey everyone,

Perhaps a couple of you might remember, but a few years ago I posted about a 40 series that’s been in the basement of the house I rent. As far as I can tell, it was parked there in 2001 and hasn’t moved since. Pics will follow. I initially reached out to the owner about buying it, as I heard from the guys who lived there before me that “he’ll give it to anyone who will fix it.” My first inquiry was shut down because it’s worth more to him for parts than it is to sell (he has an early 70s model I believe).

A while after I asked him, a friend and I were tinkering around and decided to see if we could start it. We swapped in a battery, wired it to the starter and ignition, new spark plugs, disconnected gas lines sprayed some starter fluid and she fired right up, assumably for the first time in 20+ years.

So now I’m about to move out of the house, and decided to send one more email to see if he’d be interested in parting with it. He got back and asked what my offer is, so this is where I need help. What in the world should I offer? I assume it needs potentially a gas tank, all new brakes, hub rebuilds, and so much more to be road worthy, and as is with the frame it might be beyond saving. Seems like all the parts are there though. Any input is appreciated. It might not even be worth going after, but a chance at owning a 40 for a cheap upfront cost is very tempting. Thanks for the help

 

[clrussell]

I bought my 40 for 2k. It was roughy in the same condition.

You’ll burn 10k quick fixing it.

 

[jfz80]

True story ^
Read your first post.

You be better off sending me contact info so I can lose my a$$ instead

 

[jfz80]

My approach……
Its a 25k rig needing 20k worth of work so I’d gladly offer 2500 knowing that I have 15-20k ahead of me.

 

[R.K.]

It looks like about a ‘69 model, which would have drum brakes, 3-speed, and the F-engine. The body doesn’t look bad in your pics. The fact that it runs is a big plus. Do you know why the rear diff cover has been removed?

I would try to be fair with the owner, but don’t over offer, not knowing many details. Will the owner not throw out the first number?

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

The owner is probably on here lurking

 

[Comet]

@R.K. knows his way around this. I would be at $1500 if he doesn’t know it started.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

The bigger question is are you going to need to disassemble it to get it out of the basement?

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Too late Raf already picked it up

 

[angerhater]

Lol

 

[roadstr6]

Does it have the hard top and hard doors? If not, keep your offer under $1,800. If so, keep your offer under $2,500. Not the most desirable iteration of the 40, but it’s still a 40 and it does have value to someone who has the $10k - $15k it will take on top of the purchase price to make it a somewhat respectable and fairly reliable runner again.

 

[lt1fire]

I'm more interested how a 40 got in the basement?

 

[NCFJ]

Looks like a garage door behind it.

 

[R.K.]

I'm more interested how a 40 got in the basement?

I’ve got a 40 in my basement. Doesn’t everyone??

 

[lt1fire]

I’ve got a 40 in my basement. Doesn’t everyone??

Mines in my attic

 

[fordoford]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I reached out again a few days ago and asked for a ballpark price and haven’t heard back yet. From what I hear, it’s looking like it might be too much of a project for me to take on at this point in my life. I seriously would love to, but with an 80 that already needs some work, I probably am going to pass.

The doors are in the garage, and the hard top is in the woods in the yard semi covered with leaves and dirt for probably the same 20 years.

With that being said, if anyone is really serious about potentially wanting to buy it, I could reach out and say that I have a Land Cruiser friend who is interested. Not sure the owner is really interested in talking with a bunch of people, as he barely will get back to me, but I’d be happy to help if you’re really interested and have a potential number you’d pay that I could tell him. And if you buy it you have to help me on an 80 repair in exchange