1955 Piper Tri-Pacer for sale

1955 Piper Tri-Pacer

Single Engine Piston

FOR SALE
$35,000below typical asking range
Location Amarillo, TX
Total Time 3,168 hrs
Engine SMOH 773 hrs
Seats 4
Serial # 22-1764
Reg # N3492A
Cruise 115 kts (213 km/h)
✓ Clean NTSB

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Avionics & Equipment

VFR
Clean simple

reliable panel Basic VFR configuration Ideal platform for future upgrades or keep-it-simple flying

Description

If you've been searching for a Tri-Pacer This beautifully flying 1953 Piper PA-22 has been upgraded where it matters most. Equipped with a 150 HP Lycoming O-320, it delivers the performance these airplanes always deserved-strong climb, better cruise, and the confidence to operate comfortably in real-world conditions. Paired with metalized wings, this aircraft eliminates one of the biggest concerns in legacy fabric airplanes, giving you durability, peace of mind, and long-term value. With 3168 total time and a healthy 773 SMOH, this airplane is actively flying and ready to go. It starts easy, runs smooth, and flies exactly how a good short-wing Piper should-honest, stable, and fun. Whether you're looking for a dependable weekend flyer, a backcountry-capable machine, or a time-builder with personality, this aircraft checks the boxes. The panel is straightforward and functional, keeping things simple and reliable, while the interior and exterior present as clean and serviceable-an excellent balance between usability and value without paying for unnecessary cosmetics. Tri-Pacers like this-with both the 150 HP upgrade AND metal wings-are increasingly hard to find. This is a rare opportunity to own a significantly improved version of a classic aircraft without stepping into the price range of newer platforms. Turn-key, flying, and ready for its next owner. Avionics / Equipment Clean, simple, reliable panel Basic VFR configuration Ideal platform for future upgrades or keep-it-simple flying Airframe: 1953 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer Total Time: 3168 TT Metalized Wings (major upgrade - durability & reduced maintenance) Actively flying / in annual Straight, honest airframe Clean, classic short-wing Piper handling All logs 4-place configuration Engines: Lycoming O-320 (150 HP conversion) 773 SMOH Strong running engine with excellent performance for this airframe Easy starts, smooth operation Significant performance upgrade over stock 135 HP models

Engine

Lycoming O-320 (150 HP conversion) 773 SMOH Strong running engine with excellent performance for this airframe Easy starts, smooth operation Significant performance upgrade over stock 135 HP models

Interior

Clean and serviceable

Exterior

Presents well, classic appearance Fabric fuselage in good usable condition Overall: Honest airplane-not over-restored, not worn out

Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.

Price Comparison Listed on multiple marketplaces

Source Price Action
Jon Kuehler
trade-a-plane.com
$35,000
Jon Kuehler
aircraftdealer.com
$45,000
Listing Source
globalplanesearch.com
$45,000

Estimate Monthly Payment

Piper Tri-Pacer loan calculator

AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Piper Tri-Pacer

This 1955 Piper Tri-Pacer (N3492A) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 3,168 hours on the airframe. There are currently 14 Tri-Pacer aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $8,106 to $89,500. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $35,000.

The Tri-Pacer cruises at 115 kts (213 km/h) with a range of 500 nm (926 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 16,000 ft allows operation above most weather.

Operating costs: Fuel burn is 8.5 GPH (32 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $53/hr in fuel alone.

NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 3,168 hours
Compare prices across multiple sources — same aircraft, different marketplaces
Budget $128 for pre-purchase inspection

Piper Tri-Pacer — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
4
Cruise Speed
115 kts (213 km/h)
Range
500 nm (926 km)
Ceiling
16,000 ft (4,877 m)
Useful Load
850 lbs (386 kg)
Horsepower
150 HP
Fuel Burn
8.5 GPH (32 L/h)

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

PIPER Tri-Pacer

Fuel Burn
8.5 GPH
~$55/hr

AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the PIPER Tri-Pacer. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.

Ownership & Registration

FAA registration data pending for N3492A.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Amarillo, TX

Seller reported 1032 more aircraft in Texas →

Title Status

No FAA title records

Available for US-registered aircraft only

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.

Safety Record

NTSB safety data coming soon.

We'll check N3492A against the NTSB accident database.

Price History

3 price events · sources: aircraftdealer.com, trade-a-plane.com, globalplanesearch.com

Price vs Typical Asking Range

This asking price is below the typical asking range for this model, roughly $37,080–$58,906.

Based on current asking prices for comparable listings — asking prices only, not an appraisal or sale price.

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Prices and listings updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision. Actual transaction prices may differ from asking prices.