Massey Value

My uncle was planning on giving me a 1951 Massey Harris 30 row crop because i like to restore stuff and i like to work on engines. well my aunt says she bought it for 500 dollars in 1988 and she would like some money for it she says she is getting it appraised by someone and i would like to know how much you guys think i should pay for it

Condition:
crusty a little rusty
does not run
all parts there to my understanding
two ruined front tires
paint is peeling
two weathered back tires
engine is not seized

You're on dangerous ground dealing with family because it's hard to put a price on sentimental value. Maybe the aunt will quote you what she wants, and you can decide from there. Sorry I can't be of much help beyond that.

You won't find much for 500 bucks.Looks like a nice old original tractor,i'd buy it.

500 tops.

Remember no one will screw ya like family...

Aaron

I think he's saying that the Aunt stated she bought it for $500. She didn't say she'd sell for $500. That's how I took it.

if it's a blood uncle, aunt by marriage, that explains it. my brother's wife took my mother's sewing basket after her funeral. greedy @#tch

you got that right mrs 730's youngest brother wife some how ended up with mother in laws diamond ring.
ev m-i-l said donna is my best daughter in law.
mrs 730 said "i'm her only daughter"
kathy the daughter who does everything for ev and mrs 730 wonder how donna who does nothing for ev rates other than being jimmy's wife
mrs 730's brother denny calls jimmy the family azzhole i argee with that. jimmy is always first in line if he thinks mom wants to give something away.
i think jimmy conned mom (again) myself.

Sure is Sad to learn of So Many messed up pepole , Thought they all just lived in louisville area .. LOL ...Pay the $500 cheerfully with a check and keep a copy of the canceled check ,, this will be akin to walking in a mine field if you get it for a nikle less than what the lady wants

Forget it..Move on. Nothing but trouble dealing with some family members!

I would give less than 750 if you really want it. Tires are $700 each for the back and $100 each for the front with tubes.

You are lucky it is not stuck that makes life a LITTLE easier. Massey parts are real expensive and the collector value of the tractors is not as high as green.

If she is anything like my relatives, she will give it to the first stranger she sees, and then tell everyone that you tried to hoodwink her out of the tractor..

I personally would give $750. Everything there including the tool box,lights,original paint and grille screen.Only the crank is missing. Not often do you find one this complete. e mail is open.

Yeah, I had an aunt by marriage come to my mother's funeral. During the viewing, she wanted a ring that was on my mother's finger. Just crazy.

Scrap prices are around $200 per ton depending on your location, if it weights 3000 to 4000 pounds that's $300 to $400 to start. The tractor is very complete and in good "barn find" condition so it is definetly worth more than the scrap price. Your aunt's $500 minimum figure is very realistic. She can probably get twice that or more if she advertises it.

It sounds like you expected to get the tractor for free. Few things in life actually work out that way. It also sounds like there are already hard feelings between you and your aunt about this.

Keep in mind that it is still your aunt's tractor. She can do whatever she wants with it.

If she's has recently become a widow and has bills to pay she may feel as if the world is closing in on her from all sides as she tries to figure out how to cope with her horrible new situation.

While your aunt is determining how to price the tractor, you should be thinking about what it is worth to you. A good place to start is at what price would you be indifferent whether you buy it or not. That is the absolute maximum price you should pay, and go down from there. If she can sell it for more than it's worth to you then let it go graciously.

Keep in mind that you will still have to spend another $500 just to get it running, put new fluids in it, put some used pickup tires and tubes on the front, and fix the other little things that always crop up: new battery, rod and patch radiator, radiator hoses, belts, fix brakes, rusty fuel tank, bad rims, gaskets, repair manuals, new tools, etc. Used rear tires will be $400 minimum if you can find them. New rear tires and tubes close to $1000. Can you aford another money pit right now? If you can then go for it.

Good luck.

That's wise counsel, sws55.

One other tip, in this kind of situation, if you want to preserve family harmony. Let aunt set the price, and then you either take it or leave it- DON'T try to bargain with her.

There's lots of tractors out there- don't let it cause a rift in the family.

the crank was in the front in that pic i was making sure it would turn over

Sounds like the AUNT is the one that has invested the money in the tractor, so SHE is the logical person to determine the selling price. Then just take it, or leave it----otherwise there could be hard feelings that surface. Just have to ACCEPT her decision.