new factory price for a 1986 359 Pete?

$63,500 left in the S&P 500 in May 1985 would be worth $1,270,000 today (assuming you reinvested dividends and, more importantly, resisted the temptation to sell during/after the 4 separate "once in a lifetime" market crashes)

 

Sounds like a lot of money but it's only $50K per year or so. Could have made more with the truck

BTW, for perspective I purchased a new Mack Superliner, V8, 42 inch sleeper in 1985 for $68,360

 

Some could. I bet most would have been better off (financially) investing that truck money and just driving for someone else -- something I believe is just as true today.

 

I thought you were looking at owner operator double yellow. I can't say what this ol girl has made since 85 I don't have a clue. I know it put the original owners 4 girls thru college. 1 dr now and 1 lawyer. 1 has been a professional screw up and her dad bailed her out every time. The last one has done ok as an accountant trucking is her specialty and she does my books. He had nice place and left his wife in pretty good shape when he punched out. So it has made a small fortune in my eyes I only hope I'm that lucky

 

In 1994, I went to work for Crete. At that time they would sell you a new Freightliner fld 70" condo sleeper, series 60 12.7 detroit 400 hp, jake, 10 speed for about $73 k. They also had International 9400 cabovers for $69,995. I bought a new Peterbilt 379 in 1998 for $84,900. (Crete sold it to me). In 2003 I bought a fully loaded 379 from Rush Peterbilt in OKC for $105,000 .

 

The fact your Pete is still on the road while most others were melted down to become Chery QQ's attests to how different you & your truck's previous owner are from the rest. I like to think I'll be in that same boat, but I'm coming into it knowing that the odds are against the vast majority of owner operators.

 

The odds are against us for sure. I think one key to success in such a tight business is take care of the equipment. Keep meticulous records so you can see how long things last. Maybe try something different next time to compare price verses longevity. Track MPG of every tank of fuel and note conditions that way you can see a gradual decline and head a problem off. All of that takes away from our time which we don't want. It also means not trading and getting acquainted with the same truck. So many like the new smell.

 

I don't disagree with you and would have been a lot easier on the body

 

I couldn't agree more, as I'm having to sell mine now due to health and old age, but will never get what it's worth.These old classics are something to be proud of, and capable of clearing more money than a new one. Hang on to old "Red", they're hard to find.

 

I hate to here you are selling your truck. It's a beauty for sure, hopefully someone that appreciates what she is will buy it. It's hard to get rid of something that works, like our trucks do.