On January 19, 2013, a 2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch 4x4 SuperCrew pickup once owned by former President George W. Bush will cross the block at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction.
The truck has likely racked up only modest mileage, as it was used exclusively on Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch and purchased after his departure from the White House. We’re not clear on the Secret Service’s rules surrounding former presidents driving themselves on public roads, but Bush admits he hasn’t driven on a street in “many, many years.”
The title will be transferred to the new buyer directly from former President Bush, who has also signed the passenger airbag panel. A video of Bush signing the truck and driving it on the ranch is also part of the package, which helps document the truck’s provenance for posterity.
All proceeds from the sale will go to Fisher House Foundation, which provides no-charge temporary housing for the families of military members being treated for injuries. Fisher House also has scholarship programs available to children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans.
The million-dollar question is this: what is a Ford F-150 owned by a former president worth? Retail on a clean, low mileage 2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch 4x4 SuperCrew is in the neighborhood of $28,000, so how much more will the association with former President Bush bring?
Last year, Barrett-Jackson sold a New Holland tractor owned by Jay Leno and signed by George W. Bush for $535,000, with proceeds also going to the Fisher House Foundation. Will the Ford F-150 top that number? Our guess is yes, and by quite a large margin.