Late 40's M. Whats it worth?

RudyM

Member
Ok, I know, it's worth whatever I'm willing to pay.

Anyway, I went and had a look at a late 40's M yesterday.

The good:
It's relatively complete. Has rear wheel weights still, and running gear is all there. The rad looks decent still, though I have no idea if it will hold any liquid. Has a halfway decent (only a few small dents) grille that would replace the 420 grille on my M. He apparently has some "new" manifolds. Front end is complete, cast wheels, and original cast hub caps. One rear tire is good, and there's some kind of other spare rear.

The bad:
It's tough. No paint left, 3 ROTTEN tires. Engine stuck, manifolds rotted out. Throttle broke off. Rotten along bottom of both fenders. Both lights are rotten and/or wrecked. I'd assume the starter and generator are not much good anymore either. Electrical most likely pooched. Has some kind of cobbled together seat. No filler neck on the tank, tank is likely rotten.

The ugly:
The whole thing.

Apparently it pulled a trailer and was used for plowing snow. After that, it sat outside for at least 10 years. This guy picked it up thinking he would restore it. I think he's starting to realize that by the time he restores it, he could have bought a nice one cheaper. He had it listed up for $900. I offered him $400. Scrap value, after transport is next to nothing, not that I'd consider scrapping it, but it's a factor in figuring out what it's worth.

My thinking is, I'll take the parts I need off of it, dismantle the rest and put away for spare parts for my M. The stuff I need for now is the front grill and some rear axle parts.

So, what would you guys say it's worth? I'm saying not more than $500. I paid $1500 for mine, running nice, but cosmetically a bit tough and some 420 parts instead of M parts. Others around here are listed from about $2500-$3000. Nice ones from $5000-$7000.
 

I picked up a 1947 M with Good frt tires, Junk rear tires & wheels, W/Out rear weights but had frt weights.
Engine was stuck, I got a 1 bottle plow, cultivators,51 mower, snow plow, 3pt hitch kit + a mounted tool bar
weeder & 6' disc, tire chains for $450.00. Sheet metal was decent. Put 200.00 in the engine, bought a A/C combine for
another 200.00 just because it had GREAT 10/24 tires, Junked the rest of the Combine for 685.00 scrap, after I sold the
engine, gas tank , hydraulic pump & Radiator from it. Basically now have a Free Little M.. Tractor by it self no more
than 400.00... & Hopefully less......
 
I think you've got a pretty good handle on the value. I hate to say it but there aren't any M's worth $5,000. They are kind of like an old pickup - once you get to a
certain point the value is pretty much set in stone. Even if you have $10,000 invested it won't bring a penny more.
 

Written Words ever so true, there is Not & there Won't be a Little M worth 5K.
I've seen many advertised for that much & I shake my head.....
 
I think you about right starting at $400

Now where in the world is there someone willing to pay $ 5,000 or more for an M ? Please send them my way ! I have an M and several other models I'll hook them up with !
 
That's just what they're listed at. Ain't saying anyone is gonna pay that for them. Surely ain't gonna be ME paying that for them.

Anyway, buddy said that he couldn't do $400 as he had over $500 into it already. I offered $500, and never heard back from him. If he paid over $500 for it, he needs his head checked. I have a feeling he got it for free, and is trying to make a quick buck off some poor sap. Well, I may be poor, but I'm not a sap, so I guess it'll rust away a little more.
 
Sounds like the parts tractor I bought a few years back. I only paid $200. Tires hold air, full set of sheet metal, cracked head, cracked block, and missing lift. I drag it out for Christmas and wrap it in lights, so I can get all my money's worth out of it. Have grabbed a few things off of it for my good M. Hope you can wear him down to a fair price for you!
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top