Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1946 Mercury KD-4 – Help to Estimate Value & Forum To Sell It
- This topic has 22 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 4 months ago by
mrantala.
-
AuthorPosts
-
September 6, 2015 at 12:36 pm #2465
Hello –
I was hoping I might be able to get some input on this vintage outboard motor. I’ve been doing some cleaning at my parents home, and this has been stored in our work shed, for… well, I don’t know how long. I believe this was passed down by my grandfather, who was an avid fisherman. I almost would have considered this junk, but a friend of the family told me I better not, that this would be of some value to the right person.
So, I don’t have any use for this, but definitely don’t want to see it thrown out either, now that I’ve done a little more research, it appears that this was one of the first models produced post-WWII, and although I haven’t tried to clean it up at all and get it running, it seems to be in overall pretty good (to very good) conditions, with the all the covers (carb, spark plugs, etc) and no apparent physical damage.
Can anyone tell me what approximately value this would have (where should I start the asking price) and where would someone recommend that I would do well to advertise it on? Rather than something like Craigslist, again, Id rather get it into the hands of someone who would appreciate it, and the history to it, and possibly restore it to fully working condition.
Thanks in advance for your input….
*** LOCATION *** I’m near Milwaukee, WI
PICS:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= … sp=sharingSeptember 6, 2015 at 1:57 pm #23336Sent you a PM
September 6, 2015 at 2:53 pm #23340That’s a good looking motor. What part of the country are you in?
September 6, 2015 at 5:06 pm #23350That looks like a complete, and nice looking KD4
They are often missing the cowls and such. I have one, but no where near complete.
I am by no means a Merc expert, but I see them go in my geographic region north of you for decent money.
Put it for sale on the classifieds and see what offers you get?
September 7, 2015 at 7:47 am #23393quote Chris_P:…….. but I see them go in my geographic region north of you for decent money.Put it for sale on the classifieds and see what offers you get?
what is decent money ? have seen these motors at the Tomahawk meet for $50 to $100
at least they are not that rare if you think so
anyway….good luck finding a good home for it
😉September 7, 2015 at 10:05 am #23395Alright, well, at least this conversation has reset my expectations for the motor. My first couple internet searches led me to an Ebay posting that someone had put up, and the initial bid was set around $ 900 for the same motor/condition, but I don’t think it was sold, and now I can understand why. So, after seeing that, and in combination with being told "they’re worth money"… I didn’t know what to expect.
Kees: another gentleman indicated about the same range as well, citing the price listed in "The Old Outboard Book" – $20 – $120
September 7, 2015 at 10:21 am #23397By decent money I had meant, not 50 bucks.
They seem to go for around 250 to 300 in my area. I guess I need to go to Tomahawk! I haven’t even been able to find the cowls and carb for mine for 50 bucks, lol.
September 7, 2015 at 2:29 pm #23405true story
two years ago at the Tomahawk meet
A KD-4 with recoil start for 50 bucks.
I looked at it and I needed the good ( and hard to find ) parts for my project motor, but……..
there was no way I could bring it home in my suitcase so I asked the seller,
"If I pay you the asking price, the motor is mine, right ?"
"But when I take all the parts I need and some parts
for extra spares ( always good to have ) can I leave the rest of it here ?"
"That’s for you maybe to help another who is looking for a good LU or a cylinder / crankcase or flywheel ?"
Of course, the answer was yes !
And I separate all the hard to find parts from the motor and brought it home.exceptions ? maybe . But for a restored, polished and repainted motor with a new decal on Ebay , you have
to bring some more money , so that is not to compare.
😉September 7, 2015 at 3:42 pm #23408If complete they can be obtained for between 150.00 – 200.00 bucks remembering that the prices you see on CL are asking prices. I have also seen some folks ask 400+. as previously stated by another member, quite often lower cowls are missing but can be obtained by some members who make castings or as stand alone parts. These parts can go from 100-150 bucks. Highly subjective as far as value is concerned. Does sit run? Are all parts original or from the correct model? Do you want to put deals on it or does the buyer. I was recently searching for lower cowls and had a member offer me a motor complete for 200 bucks. It is kind of all over the map as I would not consider these to be rare motors. Just my two cents.
September 7, 2015 at 5:11 pm #23413Value depends upon buyer and seller. A complete example is a notable exception. Even complete does not mean coils are good or impeller is not toast. If it is to be used as a display
looks are all that matter. The price for an average motor missing cowl, knobs, gas cap and sparkplug is very modest. Often these motors are stuck even if fairly complete.
An expertly restored example will for some reason rarely cover the cost of parts let alone
time and expertise of restorer.
It is very difficult to justify a high price for an iffy condition barn find and equally difficult
to understand modest price of a restored example that both looks and runs right.
just my opinion
Louis
Condition will vary as will seller and buyer opinion of same. I have acquire nothing but trouble early Kiekhaefer motors for as little as free to a good home to $50. I have little interest in a no problem motor as I am more into renovating low price junk…there are lots of those about. Others may be interested in the nice original barn finds. I can not speak for what they may place a value.or if they .
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
