1971 Panel Van Valuation?

[sbvegas]

I'm involved in a three-party transaction where a mechanic has a lien on a 1971 panel bus ($1,500). The seller/owner isn't too hot about getting it out of jail, nor is the owner prepared to fix it, or store it. So, long story short, this looks like a very buyer-friendly situation, but I really don't want to take advantage of the seller... he's a good guy and I want to make sure he gets a fair value.

I've attached some photos, but here are some details:

1. Almost no rust.

2. The engine had a new case and many new internal parts. Runs good. Sounds nice. I like the exhaust note. (Mechanic's notes on that one);

3. Only thing needs doing underneath is replacing the left side heater cable tube. Cable was frozen in the tube. Had to cut it out. Have parts. (Mechanic's notes);

4. Rear brakes put back together. All parts are with the bus;

5. Shifter has all new bushings etc.

6. Misc. mechanical things to do then put the engine/ trans back in.

7. Needs headliner. Door panels.

8. Clean gas tank.


I'll also have to have it towed from Southern Oregon to Portland... so there's that too.

So, that's the story. Now, considering the above (and the fact that the final project is not going to be a restoration, but a mobile coffee venture), what is a fair price for this project.

Thanks,

Steve

[skills@eurocarsplus]

panel vans are pretty low on the scale in terms of value. I would say pay the bail money plus 500. that thing still has a long way to go before being road worthy.

panels are cool, but even super clean ones don't sell for big coin. do it cuz you like it, not because you're going to retire off the sale of it.

the current owner is just going to have to lick his wounds financially. if it ran and drove down the road I would say 3-3500 max. there was a pretty nice one here a few years back that lingered forever at 7k and that one was hop in and go
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[jtauxe]

[SGKent]

My GUESS is $2500 to $3000 with a clean title. The situation you are describing could end up a salvage title over the lien, so that may knock something off it too especially with the condition it is in. These days there is no guarantee a new engine is going to run right or even last depending where the parts came from. It is not like 1980.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[kreemoweet]

This is an ad. It does not belong in the regular forums. What random posters here think a bus is worth is totally irrelevant. Post the damn ad and wait for offers. Post reported.
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[ImAddicted]

[SGKent]

[sbvegas]

[sbvegas]

[airkooledchris]

[cmonSTART]

Just spitballing, but I would say $3,000 given it needs to be put together and doesn't run. And you need to drag it home.

It does look solid underneath though - us New England folks would kill for a bus like that.
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'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[skills@eurocarsplus]

the only panels that have any "real" value are double door

here is a list of what people are asking:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search

I still say my original estimate is far market value for a non running bus that needs everything gone thru to be roadworthy.

panel vans are an acquired taste for many and haven't been that desirable from the get go unless it was for commercial use. case in point is almost every 'aftermarket' camper conversion company used them as a foundation for an install.

not saying the bus is bad, I think it's neat...but it isn't a 5k bus in its current condition.

the list of variables where the guy (seller) says "well, it's got a new engine" who built it? has it been run? was it built with off the shelf chinka china junk or is it top shelf?

lot's of factors to consider, but ultimately it's something you and the seller need to be happy with in the end.

john, I saw your post...it was a neat bus but as you saw there was little interest. if it were a late bay camper we'd be on page 9 by now

that euro panel (blue one) was for sale by monkeynut forever...not sure if it was theirs or if the seller now was told to try and sell it on their own. it was for sale under monkeynut for a long ass time
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[aeromech]

It doesn’t matter what you pay for it. That’s peanuts compared to paying someone or shop to get it fixed up like you want. You’ll be way out of pocket before it’s even close to being the attraction you want it to be.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
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Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
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VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
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Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[aeromech]

Second thought I’m here to help the VW bus community of owner/ lovers. I have no time for all the others looking to exploit the world of the VW bus. Haste comes to mind
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[jtauxe]

I will say that since this is going to be converted to a coffee bus, a panel van may be just the ticket. And if you can get it cheaper because it is "less desirable" to the general VW bus community, so much the better.

OP, let me know if you are interested in a clean and dry survivor 1976 French panel van from New Mexico. It runs, too.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=725251
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John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[busdaddy]

I agree with Don, $2000 - maybe $2500 for a fairly solid project panel with a mystery motor is very fair.
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[ImAddicted]

You have some of the best here weighing in, if they say $2500, then that’s fair. You dragging it home is on you, them getting slapped with a lien is on them. $1000 after settling up is $1000 more than what they have now.
_________________
1979 Transporter (sold)
KC1MUR

[EverettB]

[aeromech]

Thanks EB
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[sbvegas]

Thank you VERY much to those who've taken the time to actually read the post and respond with meaningful, thoughtful, helpful comments. It is greatly appreciated, including the comment from the moderator.


--Steve