Hello all.

I hope this will fit in here. If not, I apologize in advance.

I am looking at a 1976 Ford E250 with a C6, A/C, PS/PB, new tires, bubble gum lights, search lights, siren. It is/was a rescue van for a fire department. It has 19K miles on it. Small amount of rust at some lower body seams and a couple of small, very small dents.

Should I or would you pay $4000 for it? Is it a good deal or not?

Your opinions would be appreciated.

 

Realistically, 19K miles on an emergency vehicle just doesn't pass my BS test. Are you sure it isn't 219K or even 319K? $4,000 for a vehicle that is almost 19 model years old seems a little high. Just my thoughts though.

 

Fnord,

In a word.....NO....in 2 words.....HELL NO.

Dont get tunnel vision with the low mileage...Res-q vehicles, with the exception of medic units, dont accumulate very many miles...and with that being said, just by the nature of the job, all of those miles, are pretty hard miles...rest assured, most of them are at WOT (wide open throttle, LOL). And there is no hour meter on it, you can be pretty sure that poor thing sat at many a scene, due to its age, and idled for long hours.....so, long story short...$4000? I dont think so, maybe more like $400, and im not even kidding here....I am a pretty firm believer in Built Ford Tough, but that is a STEEP price for that vehicle and im sure it is worn out, keep looking.......best of luck and hope this helps.

Regards,

Medic

 

mtucker: In a big city/busy dept., i can understand your method of thought here....but a big dept. would have replaced that truck by now...many many moons ago....

Although Fnord doesnt have his/her location filled out, im thinking this van is from a rural/small town with a volunteer organization that has had it all its life....and i think the 19k is realistic, very realistic, see it all the time...so, if the body is rusted out, im sure some of the engine components are as well. This van is not used to constant "on the go" driving, its sat around...alot, obviously. So, making this thing a work truck or daily driver will be detrimental to its health. After a little whileim sure it will being to "nickel and dime" you, until you get mad and sell it. Or, maybe it was built on a Monday morning, was put together well and will run for another 10 years.....

 

i would think for that price you could find a much newer and nicer van.

 

Like pgh_medic said it has prolly sat and idled for a very long time. Ford estimates that emergency vehicles idling is equivelant to driving 35 mph but without the odo going up. Even if it was only called out once a month during its life it prolly sat on scene running for a couple hours each call out. You figure out how many real miles are on it.

 

First of all, thank you all. You are incredible. I really appreciate the feedback and advice. It all has really helped.

The van was a rescue vehicle for a very small volunteer fire department until April 1. It has be well maintained and I trust the mileage to be as stated. The rust is limited to a few spots that are surface only. Body damage is at the right rear tail light and is approximately 10 to 12 square inches and is comprised of several small dings.

I agree about caution and about the quoted price of the vehicle. As such, it looks as though I may be have the price down to $3000.00 instead. New tires, working A/C(as it turns out) and while I do not discount the ravages of age, some of which I share with this van, the simplicity of the systems and the stoutness(I share this as well) make me hopeful that it will last almost as long as myself. In fact, recently I purchased another '76(an E150 Club Wagon) with 65.000 original miles that had been kept in a heated barn and pampered(again much as myself) for all of its years and it looks almost showroom(finally a departure, I was getting a little worried) and handled the 1600 mile drive home better than did I. I paid $3050.00 for it. It has adjusted nicely and runs and drives well.

As to attrition, I live in Houston and have replaced almost everything at one time or another on vehicles. Potholes, you understand, big potholes. Albeit on a variety of vehicles. These being low tech has certain long term advantages.(and inadequacies as well, yes) When they require such, there will be an engine and tranny on stands waiting.

Again, I really want to thank each and all of you. The amount of information and the quality is appreciated very much. Much of it I frankly would not have thought of without you.

Yours,
Jack