1979 Ford E-350 4x4 Quadravan

[YukonWizard]

I’m seeking some advice and hoping trolls and jokers will take a break. This truck is special and yes I’m biased by emotional attachment. My dad and I have owned it since it was new. It was custom built for exploring the wilds of Baja. The build cost in 1979 dollars was over $50k. It has 69,000 original miles on it.

I’m considering putting it up for sale. Something I never thought I would do. It has been cared for and gone thru a freshening. I’m hoping I can get some guidance on what it’s worth. Here is a quick list of features:

New 460 engine mild build, w/5000 miles,New paint, full custom roll cage, custom Smittybuilt bumpers, Recaro seats with NOS fabric, Art Carr C6 w/3000 miles, custom suspension with stock car products chrome moly sway bar, 72 gal fuel tanks, new 35” tires, warn 8000 winch, sleeping platform, Conferr roof rack, 4:10 ring gear, new stereo/gps/hands free.

There’s more and I can answer questions.

Thanks in advance

 

[86scotty]

Wow, that's a pretty rare and unique beast. You'll always get some trolls here, or anywhere. Just ignore them.

Do you have any interior pics?

This is a very rare van that will have a small audience but it's a museum piece too. I have no idea how to value it but will be watching closely. I would consider BAT or an auction site with a little clout. You should definitely duplicate this post on the Sportsmobile Forum to get more van specific feedback.

I think the best thing and first thing you should do is decide on, well, an emotional breakpoint moneywise. You'll get some insulting offers based on it's age but as you state, it's one owner and has personal value for you. If you don't have to sell decide on a number that will sell it, even if it's low, based on reality and not emotion. At the end of the day selling it is a business transaction and you have to decide whether offers below your number warrant just keeping it for the memories.

 

[YukonWizard]

Wow, that's a pretty rare and unique beast. You'll always get some trolls here, or anywhere. Just ignore them.

Do you have any interior pics?

This is a very rare van that will have a small audience but it's a museum piece too. I have no idea how to value it but will be watching closely. I would consider BAT or an auction site with a little clout. You should definitely duplicate this post on the Sportsmobile Forum to get more van specific feedback.

I think the best thing and first thing you should do is decide on, well, an emotional breakpoint moneywise. You'll get some insulting offers based on it's age but as you state, it's one owner and has personal value for you. If you don't have to sell decide on a number that will sell it, even if it's low, based on reality and not emotion. At the end of the day selling it is a business transaction and you have to decide whether offers below your number warrant just keeping it for the memories.

Thanks Eric, its also one of a kind and while its a 46 year old vehicle it has only 69K miles and the build is still pretty current. Put it this way I'd put its off-road capabilities up against any Sprinter Van and its well mannered on the highway. Fuel mileage is the only issue at 10mpg but that can be improved with an aftermarket Fi system. Its comfortable and is definitely still l ready for adventures. You won't insult me. What do you think its worth ballpark range?

 

[Moyshe Kapoyer]

Awesome van!

 

[86scotty]

Thanks Eric, its also one of a kind and while its a 46 year old vehicle it has only 69K miles and the build is still pretty current. Put it this way I'd put its off-road capabilities up against any Sprinter Van and its well mannered on the highway. Fuel mileage is the only issue at 10mpg but that can be improved with an aftermarket Fi system. Its comfortable and is definitely still l ready for adventures. You won't insult me. What do you think its worth ballpark range?

Man I really don't know.

 

[YukonWizard]

Also what is BAT ?

 

[YukonWizard]

Also what is BAT ?

Bonhams?

 

[Kingsize24]

Also what is BAT ?

Bring A Trailer

It's an online sales platform.

 

[toddz69]

A very unique, and awesome, van indeed! Any shots of the undercarriage, suspension, and interior you can share. There are a few 4WD vans listed on BaT from time to time - a second gen Econoline converted to 4WD was bid to $18K a few days ago. I'm not an expert on the older 4WD van conversions but like them and have followed them a fair amount over the years. Depending on what the interior and suspension look like, I'd guess maybe high teens/low 20s? Really hard to value these things. The thirsty 460 and C6 (lack of OD for highway travels) will hold this one back, unfortunately.

Todd Z.

 

[YukonWizard]

A very unique, and awesome, van indeed! Any shots of the undercarriage, suspension, and interior you can share. There are a few 4WD vans listed on BaT from time to time - a second gen Econoline converted to 4WD was bid to $18K a few days ago. I'm not an expert on the older 4WD van conversions but like them and have followed them a fair amount over the years. Depending on what the interior and suspension look like, I'd guess maybe high teens/low 20s? Really hard to value these things. The thirsty 460 and C6 (lack of OD for highway travels) will hold this one back, unfortunately.

Todd Z.

 

[YukonWizard]

Thanks Todd that’s definitely on the low side. This truck has a full roll cage, dbl shocks and coils with air bags up front. The paint job alone last year was $20k. I agree it could benefit from a gear vendors overdrive and fuel injection but that’s not a big hurdle to install. It has custom sway bar and handles like a sports car. 69k original miles and only 5k miles on the motor. 3k on the custom C6 trans. I just drove it on a 2000 mile road trip. Reaction seats and modern electronics make it a nice ride. Thank you though for your thoughts

 

[PJorgen]

That is a very cool van. It’s also very yellow, which could prove divisive. Remember that mods don’t add their full cost to the value of the vehicle.

The advantage of BAT is that you can set a reserve price below which it won’t sell.

 

[ExpoMike]

Very cool van and it will take the right person who is willing to pay a premium for it. Sadly it seems with the uncertain economy right now, those people are few and fair between. I am running into the same issue with a number of things I am selling. I have been in the hot rod/classic car world and unless you are doing a very high end vehicle, nice paint will sell a vehicle but you're not going to get your money out of the paint. 20K cost in paint, on a vehicle that is likely going to be valued at 20K, will always be a losing situation. Last year I sold my '48 Chevy Sedan, which was a really nice street rod. Pre-COVID, it would have been a $35-40K car. Post COVID, I netted half that.

I totally understand the emotional attachment and that is can skew your perception of value. I wish you the best on finding that buyer but if you're looking to get what you feel you should get, be prepared to hang onto it a long while, until you find that one person who has the emotional attachment as well.

 

[YukonWizard]

That is a very cool van. It’s also very yellow, which could prove divisive. Remember that mods don’t add their full cost to the value of the vehicle.

The advantage of BAT is that you can set a reserve price below which it won’t sell.

Yes thank you, I know that mods don’t carry their full value. Haha the yellow is the factory color it came from the factory with and is very rare. Great to know about BAT!!!

 

[YukonWizard]

Very cool van and it will take the right person who is willing to pay a premium for it. Sadly it seems with the uncertain economy right now, those people are few and fair between. I am running into the same issue with a number of things I am selling. I have been in the hot rod/classic car world and unless you are doing a very high end vehicle, nice paint will sell a vehicle but you're not going to get your money out of the paint. 20K cost in paint, on a vehicle that is likely going to be valued at 20K, will always be a losing situation. Last year I sold my '48 Chevy Sedan, which was a really nice street rod. Pre-COVID, it would have been a $35-40K car. Post COVID, I netted half that.

I totally understand the emotional attachment and that is can skew your perception of value. I wish you the best on finding that buyer but if you're looking to get what you feel you should get, be prepared to hang onto it a long while, until you find that one person who has the emotional attachment as well.

Yeah I understand all that but if it turns out to be worth only $20k I won’t sell it. I will let the next generation in my family do that