2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Advice on pricing a 1996 Indy 500 TD

[maured]

I'm looking for advice on how much to ask for my dad's 1996 12V Dodge Ram 2WD extended cab 5.9V TD that came from the 96 Indy 500. Dad had a stroke 2-1/2 years ago and can no longer drive. I posted It in the classifieds, but feel the asking price may be too high. It has just turned 163,000 miles and has the Indy 500 and Cummins decals (pictures can be seen in the classifieds). Is it worth more than a typical TD at this age with similar miles? We've done LOTS of research and haven't come up with much on these Indy decal trucks. Lots of the blue 1500s, but nothing on these. They are evidently very rare. Dad has only seen 1 other in the 21 years he's owned this truck, and internet searches have yielded nothing but 1 picture of these trucks circling the track. Even the dealer he bought it from could offer minimal help (they suggested my posted asking price). I don't know if there's a collector's interest or not. I want my parents to get a fair price for this truck as medical bills from my dad's stroke and his continued rehab are high, but we don't want it just sitting around collecting dust either. Can anyone offer any help or advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[wyosteve]

My totally uneducated .02 is that I personally would not pay more that a 1996 2wd value. It likely was not a 'pace truck' and other than having some decals, it's not any different than any other 1996 truck. I may very well be wrong and I'm certainly not being critical. Maybe contacting Cummins to see if they can provide a bit more background of the truck would be helpful.

 

[maured]

Thank you for your input!

 

[jryan11518]

Nice truck don't know about the red. You need to find a diesel freak who is also a Indy 500 freak. More documentation would surely help with additional money above Kelley Blue. Without it I am afraid it is just another truck. Anyway best of luck with it.

 

[Timd32]

From my quick research on that race here is my take on what some of the back story is on why that model was selected. (Wikipedia)

Dodge and Chrysler were a huge sponsor of that race. The pace "car" was the Viper as shown in your pic. One of the honorary starter was a Chrysler exec.

It was the last year of the turbo charged Indy cars till much later, 237mph and change qualifying run, so neat that they had a CTD pace truck.

So I'm thinking go to Wikipedia and create a account and edit the entry to make a spot for "Track Safety Truck" Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel. Most likely you can find that with help from the folks at the race track museum.

Maybe see if it drove on the track and was used by the track, does it have any places where they may have had yellow lighhts mounted and removed? My thinking is if it was a true safety vehicle not just a lettering package and display truck used at the mfg tent area it makes a great model to put some work into. There are a lot of them out there at some point.

Besides that just remember your dad and family got 163k miles of memories in that vehicle it's awesome that it's a one owner survivor, looks clean but needs some TLC. So if you do get a decent offer and have questions before you accept ask away.

Download the buyers guide from TDR and look at what they have listed for known issues and be a informed seller to go along with a great back story.

 

[maured]

Great info and advice! Thanks a bunch!

 

[maured]

Thank you.

 

[Timd32]

This would make a great TDR story. How does one make that happen, maybe some long time 2nd GEN folks make that happen, mostly because I have a 96 and it's a great way to keep the stories alive and keep interest in our hobby/work trucks still going strong.

FYI best $35 a year you could ever spend, the magazine is awesome, calendar, Geno's staff. This forum should be $3500 a year. Not much we can't figure out as a group.

 

[maured]

Dad was a long time paying member of this club. Even attended a rally or two. I don't think he's paid since his stroke, maybe longer. Can't remember his password anymore either.

 

[Timd32]

That's the best part, you won't have to pay to get advice either, the guys on here are great with folks from a single post to thousands of posts per user.

There is a K car in the Henry Ford Museum on display in the main hall, the most basic of cars that if was not for that simple vehicle there may not have been our trucks. There is no back story to that exact car but it is part of the history of the company that they though needed to be preserved.

You don't have to have a rare truck to have value in it.

But to be part of one of the most historic races should be documented, the issue is the photos are most likely all real not digital so.they need to do some work for sure to find them. Preserve the story and the trucks can be saved.

I recently found a 1930 Model A, second owner, I did a bunch of research on it and found a club out of Iowa where a guy posts these videos of their club. I wanted to see how to drive them and start them and maintain them just in case I pull the trigger I'm a informed buyer. The best part of this was every meeting they hold starts with the pledge of allegiance and the Lord's prayer. He has a video showing that, they made over 4 million model A, not a rare car, but the people and groups who keep the history alive is what it is all about.

Check it out here.

https://youtu.be/kJL5rdkHE0I

Will keep you family and dad in our prayers.

 

[JR]

I'm glad to see this thread picking up a little steam.

Maured, I truly believe the advice you find on this site regarding your truck will be amongst the best you'll find (for better or worse).

Good luck to you and your family.

 

[BigPapa]

What was your father's handle here?

Also, for those that may not have noticed it, maureds original post on this truck was here:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/259073-1-Owner-1996-Indy-500-Cummins



Lots of picks and the backstory.

 

[Timd32]

So we are getting closer here is a great article on the actual breakdown of the use of the overall safety trucks and there purpose at the track and staging.

Not specific to the 1996 but builds reference data. For that TDR article of course.

http://www.hellercreative.com/indy_500.htm

Also go to 1:30 in this video they have response to a last lap crash. Wonder if they cranked these up for response trucks, they are moving at one point.

https://youtu.be/8uid20quZlQ

This next video at the very end if you pause right at around 3:58 you can see a large response to from a different view.

https://youtu.be/5BAl9wD-Zq0

Sadly these trucks also appear to have responded to the fatal Scott Brayton crash in practice, looks like they found he had a tire cut down. I did not copy those links, there are some nice tributes to him that show the vehicles supporting that effort.

They were not used for the NASCAR race held there in 1996, looks like GM had/has that locked down for sponsorship, could not easily find any other mfg used for their races.

Ever register the ESN in quickserve to see the build spec maybe something will jump out at folks as different. Also the vin number breakout from the manual to show any odd options, we if it was a MI built truck.

I had some luck with finding The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fire Dept but no pics but if some FF on here are passing thru and do a patch swap there maybe ask if they have pics in archive.

Found a nice article on a 1996 2500 Sleeper, nice write up, not related to this but good find none the less.

http://www.trucktrend.com/cool-trucks/0911dp-1996-dodge-ram-2500/

 

[maured]

You guys are giving me some great stuff, and it's VERY much appreciated! Dad's handle was drummerboy. I was able to find it. Looks like he became a member in 1999. Not sure if he ever participated in any discussions or if he ever started any, but none show up. Is member activity time sensitive?