Worth The Price? 1996 Ford F350 Centurion

It is often said that hope springs eternal. That may well be the case with this 1996 Ford F350 Centurion. Its presentation is impressive, and the Centurion package lifts its luxury and comfort to a high level. However, the seller’s price may prove an insurmountable obstacle for many readers. To say that it sits above the market average is an understatement. Still, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. The seller has listed the F350 here on eBay in Newburgh, Indiana. Are you sitting down? Good, because they set their BIN at $100,000.

This 1996 F350 is part of Ford’s Ninth Generation F-Series range, available between 1992 and 1997. Its presentation is stunning, from the sparkling Deep Blue Metallic paint to the seemingly flawless White graphics. There appear to be no cosmetic shortcomings, with the seller’s images suggesting that this F350 is rust-free. The bed cap is a practical feature, providing security and weather protection for anything the buyer wishes to carry in the back. Some of these classics featured a carpeted bed, which basically meant that they weren’t practical for carrying lumber or loads of soil. The seller provides no information on the subject, and it is a question worth asking if load carrying is a priority. The side steps are a practical feature, especially for those of us with relatively short legs. The tinted glass is clear, and the trim appears perfect.

The original Window Sticker confirms that this F350 left the line with Opal Gray cloth trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, cruise control, a rear defroster, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. It then headed to Centurion Vehicles for an interior makeover. Centurion operated from a facility in White Pigeon, Michigan. Its bread-and-butter was upgrading Ford commercial vehicles for sale through Ford dealerships. The company ceased operations in 1996, making this F350 one of the last produced. Centurion pulled out all the stops, retrimming the seats in Gray leather with unique stitching, adding a roof console, additional interior lights, lashings of real timber trim, and a premium stereo. This F350 retains most of those items, although it appears to have received another stereo upgrade with SatNav. There is no evidence of wear or abuse, and the timber, which can be a weak point, looks excellent. Overall, the condition is consistent with the seller’s claim that this Ford has a genuine 34,500 miles on the clock.

One failing of the seller’s listing is that they supply no engine bay images. That is a shame, because potential buyers can learn a lot by looking under the hood. However, we know this F350 features Ford’s 7.3-liter “Power Stroke” V8 diesel, delivering 210hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque. The second figure is the most crucial, because the engine’s low-end delivery would allow this beauty to utilize its hitch receiver effectively. A four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the road via a dual-range transfer case, and the vehicle also features power-assisted steering and brakes. The seller doesn’t mention evidence verifying the mileage claim, although it may exist in the impressive collection of included documentation. The truck is in excellent mechanical condition and is a turnkey proposition with no identified issues.

This 1996 Ford F350 Centurion is a stunning vehicle, but recent sales results confirm that it needs to be to command a price that is well beyond the market average. The listing statistics suggest that it has generated plenty of interest. However, it is impossible to determine whether that is from genuinely interested parties or people waiting to see whether anyone will hit the BIN button. Do you think it will happen? Otherwise, what do you feel would be a fair price for this classic?