“We’ve noticed that collectors with relatively larger American collections begin to add a few pickups for nostalgic purposes once they’ve acquired the key cars in their garage,” Fisher said.
Several factors continue to contribute to F-Series stability on the auction market: The vehicles cost little compared to many other classic cars. They’re mechanically easy to maintain and repair—no computerized tools required. And when you do need to repair them, it’s easy to get parts, since they are American-made trucks. Nothing need be shipped from overseas, which cuts down on the cost and time required to fix or restore one.
Prices for high-quality examples have remained fairly steady, with a slight, upward tilt, over the past five years. In 2012, A 1948 Ford F-1 half-ton pickup that Hagerty classifies as in “Excellent” condition was worth $18,700 on average; now the same is worth an average of $24,400.
RM Sotheby’s sold a fully restored 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup for $38,500 in 2014; it sold another restored 1954 Ford F-100 Pickup in desirable colors for $33,000 that same year.
Or, try the catalogs at Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auction houses. Hemmings lists them from $6,950 for those that need plenty of repair work to $125,000 for one that has been rebuilt, from the bolts to body paint.
While the first-generation F-1 is special, it’s the second-generation 1953-1956 segment that's most desirable and collectable, according to Fisher. The fifth-generation, from the late 1960s to early '70s, look the coolest. Whichever era, though, choose examples that have no rust, even if they cost a little more, and that come with documents matching their repair-and-maintenance history. Those will hold their value the longest and require the least amount of repair.
Most important, buy the most original example you can find. Those make the strongest investments because authentic survivors from that era are rare. Most were used on farms and ranches, driven day in and day out until they simply wouldn’t run.
Which is exactly how it should be—it's an honorable way for a truck to die. Consider yourself lucky if you find one still alive. It’s worth holding on to.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.