What I really want to know is what I should do/not do with a truck like this? Any major no-no’s or things I should most certainly do to preserve/maintain this fine work of art?

My son and I just brought home a 1973 W200 we bought from an old farmer. I don't know much about it but it looks to be in pretty good shape (except for a little rust around the rear wheel wells… and the fine sent of mouse nest urine coming from the vents!). What I do know...

- Odometer reads 60k miles (don’t know if it has turned over but I would doubt it).
- Everything seems to be original other than some aftermarket fog lights.
- Original paint (he didn’t use it as a farm truck so it’s not bad except for the bed above the wheel wells).
- Original interior (in what I would consider great shape for its age, no cracks, all the buttons and ***** present, does have an aftermarket tape deck radio though from the 80’s or 90’s).
- Factory A/C but doesn't work.
- Has a 7500 Camper marker on the side - Sweptline style... burnt orange on top and cream on the bottom.
- He said the transmission and engine had been rebuilt shortly before he bought it. Not sure how extensive that was.

The farmer said he had it running last in 2012. We were able to get it running with little effort and drive it 10 miles home but that was a mistake because it sucked up a bunch of crap from the gas tank and plugged up the carb. It was doing fine then had a major coronary blockage and literally died 100 yards from home. Of course, when I took the carb apart, I tore a gasket so I will get a full kit and do my best to rebuild it. It was full of crud. I will also put an inline fuel filter in… maybe two.

My original intention was to let my teenage sons and daughter have it as a fixer-upper that they could beat up and thrash (I had a 1980 3/4 ton Dodge in high school that I had a lot of fun with). I don’t think this is the right truck for that.

Also, how much is one of these things worth? He was happy to sell it to my son for $450.

 

What motor/transmission does it have? And post a photo or two.

 

450 is a good deal on that truck!

Value depends on where you are at. In Cali that truck is pre smog. In the condition you described it would likely go between 1500 - 3k. Hard to tell though.

At the end of the day, not a huge market for these trucks.

The fact that is a 200 is really cool though. Tons you can do with it.

I wouldn't stress too much about it, do whatever you want with the truck!

My advice is tackle the body mounts and upgrade the suspension. Check on those brakes as well, lotta weight to stop with that thing.

One thing to pay attention to is the electrical. Be on the look out for the classic ammeter problem as well as the horrible dangerous bypasses some farmers love to do. There is an easy and right way to do it, happy to give advice if you need it.

What ever you do, just don't let it sit!

 

ohhhhhhh, super neat! pics!