toploader 4 spd question for you pros

Hi Chris, welcome to the VMF. Contact Mark in Wilson, OK @
www.toploaderheaven.com or (580)229-1779 for a straight answer on the worth of your trans & shifter.

Be a good sport and fill out your profile a bit more /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

If this guy wants that tranny for a number matching car it is worth a whole lot more than that. If you are selling to anyone else that would be in the ballpark.


69 Mach 1 427 Windsor

Two years ago I sold the trans to the new owner of my old Cyclone Spoiler. He HAD to have the original trans. I told him $1500 or take a hike cuz I needed to yank it from my other one. He came over the next day, paid me AND changed the trannies. Number matches can only be done once, price is a little cheap.

I see used (read:cores) toploaders at swap meets all the time for 3-500 bucks. You have to assume that these used gearboxes are just cores unless you know for a fact that they are in top shape. For instance, the "used" (it was the original) box in my fastback cost me $1000 to rebuild after I got it apart. Although it shifted fine when I got the car, I found a bent mainshaft and 2 gears in need of replacement.

If this is really the gearbox from this guy's k-code, then it is probably worth 1000-1200 to HIM. To anyone else, it is just a used gearbox. So...if you can get him up above 900, then I'd say sell it to him. As the others noted, the partial VIN is worthless to anyone else.

BTW, I thought all early (65-66), small block toploaders were wide ratio boxes. I could be wrong, but that is what I'd always heard. Not that it really matters in this particular discussion, but when did they start using close ratio gearsets in small block applications?

I think it would be nice to offer it to the owner of the car for the same price you would sell it to anyone else.

Thanks Frank, that is exactly what I plan on doing.

Chris

Eh, I dunno. If I am not LOOKING to sell it, it would cost anyone $1000 just to get me to take it out, and the price only goes up the more I don't want to do it (and the more he/she begs). Let's face it, if he is willing to buy it for that, it must be worth it.

Just curious, but did you know the "history" of the car/transmission in question? Or, how did you track down the owner?

My toploader has my cars complete VIN stamped on it. Was this done by the factory, a PO, or whom?

i agree with cougar on this one.....i think it's pretty sad to try and get a higher price from the guy wanting the # matching tranny but joe blow comes along he gets it cheaper...... crap like that is going to destroy our hobby.... well the ones on the poor side of the tracks anyways....

Well I read all the pro/ cons you all had to say on this subject. I have someone's K-code (66) close ratio trans, in my car. I posted it on the site, about a year ago, no reply. but I can tell you that it would take, the cost of a complete 5-speed change over, to get it from me!

Well, I have this transmission covered up on a shelf in my garage, so it won't be as hard to get out. If the person that owns the car that this tranny originally came out of changes his mind, then I will advertise it for sale at the same price. Thanks for all of your inputs and opinions.
Chris