market value of 1947 L16??

[low-n-slow]

Need some advice on what the value may be of a 1947 L16A. May need to raise funds for next project The following is some basic info:
1947 L16A, 7BCM Approx 830SMOH TTAF 2500
C85-12 with electric system
new 5.5 gallon auxilery tank
All new glass, except top greenhouse
new fabric and paint ( Yellow with airforce markings)
cleavland brake conversion
Stromberg carb is currently being overhauled
New Maule 8" tailwheel assembly
new vertical card compasse
9 volt intercom two place intercom system
new nose bowl and top cowl
climb prop
federal 1500 skis with tailski
new fuel gages for main tank and auxilery
New ameriking ELT (Not installed yet)
complete logs since 1956 when it was transfered to CAP
two owners since CAP sold it, current owner has owned since 1977

Just curious if we have to part with this, what it might be worth??

Thanks for the input..

[MikeB]

I've kind of watched TAP, etc. and it seems most fall into the $30-35,000 +range (more or less) if they're in good condition with the green house still intact (many have been covered over for whatever reason ) Yours would appear to be on the high end, considering the new fabric, greenhouse, C85-12 electrical, Cleveland brakes, etc.

Are you really sure you want to sell it????

[low-n-slow]

Mike,
It would be tough to part with since my dad has owned it for so long.. but we are seriously considering building an RV-7. I know, I know, probably not a popular idea to be posting here , but we have been wanting to build one for quite some time. We are just now kicking around the idea of selling the L16 to finance the RV. Your ballpark values are slightly higher than what we were thinking... thats why I am asking.

Thanks for the input.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

What would you fly while the RV sits in crates????

Better idea; sell the kids.

nkh

[low-n-slow]

HMMM.. any idea what kids are worth?

[MikeB]

I think it gets into what you intend to use the aircraft for. Once I got the Champ resurrected, my Cherokee 140 sat. Because my fixed costs are fairly 'cheap" (if anything in aviation is 'cheap") I could have probably afford to keep both aircraft, but it didn't seem practical to have the Cherokee sit while I was airport hopping in the Champ and I figured it had most likely reached about the maximum price I was going to get for a while (which was triple what I paid for it....... 25 years ago). Besides I had someone who really wanted to buy it and I only put 14 hours on the Cherokee in the last year........so it went .

I'm sure the RV7 is a fine airplane (in fact I know it is) and if you intend to do more than airport hop, then go for it. However, unless you have access to another set of wings, I'd keep the L16 while you're spending two or three years building the RV........if you can afford it, of course.
Well, enough philosphy ....good luck, whatever you decide. If you do sell the L16.....make sure it goes to a good home and doesn't sit out in the weather

Mike Berg

[WWhunter]

I would be interested in your L-16 if you decide to sell it. And you could even get to see it when you want. I live just up the road from you, my place is right outside Itasca Park.
Keep me in mind if you want to sell it.
Keith

[low-n-slow]

Keith,
We will be making a decision very soon. I will let you know if we decided to sell

[jc pacquin]

low and slow....your aeronca sounds GOOD! The compression on the cylinders is.....? When was it rebuilt? Has it been hangared since? What process was used? How about the spars? 337's? These are sort of important to the buyer. I think 30-35 grand is about right if its really nice. 85 Champs are tough to find in NICE shape! I think another big factor is.....who rebuilt the airframe? Can the buyer speak with them? Workmanship means alot if your going to go 30-35 for a cub or a champ, especially if it doesn't fall into sport pilot requirements. Jim Pacquin, member not a guest.

[low-n-slow]

some more information. The rebuild was just completed, along with a fresh annual. The spars were inspected and varnished. The compressions were all in the 70's. It has been hangered for the last 20 years. The fabric is polyfiber and was just completed in march. (fabric job was completed by A&P, I would rate the job as "Fair" not great. all 337's since it was turned over to CAP. The name of the company who did the rebuild would be given to any interested parties if we decide to sell. The plane could be seen at my dads private strip near Brainerd Mn at anytime. Whether we seel or not

[Jerry Eichenberger]

My swag on value is $35 to $40K. I assume you have no panel mounted radio or strobes.

If it had a radio, Mode C, and new interior, I'd say $40. For a price like that, you'd wait a while to get it.

There's a guy with a nicely restored one who keeps advertising on TAP and Barnstormers, everything newly done and immaculate. He started out about a year ago north of $50K, and still hasn't sold it even though the price is noe down to the low forties.

But, it's an authentic one with no electrics at all. To me, that's too much to pay for something that looks good, but has no more practical value than a straight 7AC, unless you want to pretend.