1963 Cessna 185
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
IFRDescription
185 Tail wheel with big 260HP Engine Turbo Charged Fuel injection TSOI 470B ONLY 100 HOURS since rework 400 Hours SMOH . Prop 1 Hour This impressive 1963 Cessna 185 taildragger has been expertly converted from a 182G into an Exhibition EXPERIMENTAL aircraft, combining rugged backcountry capability with high-performance flight characteristics. Its powered by a 260HP turbocharged, fuel-injected engine, delivering consistent power at altitude and cruise speeds up to 180 MPH+ at 12K ASL . Exhibition EXPERIMENTAL . FLY IFR or VFR legal day or nite in any air space Has ADSB . ONLY limitation no commercial use Fast 180MPH 12k ASL Cruse rough back country capable with NEW 26 Bush Tundra tires HISTORY : 2015 MOVED EXPERIMENTAL converted tail wheel with Heavy Duty Murphy Moose gear double caliper brakes ( added history below ) ENGINE 100 hour SM rework 400 HR SMOH ( see pic engine builder sticker on engine rework / rebuild TURBO 56 hours makes all the power all the time GO HIGH GO FAST Short Take offs . PROP 1 Hr just reseal/bal 1473 SMOH FUEL Extended range fuel 79 Gal PAINT SEXY PAINT-NEW CARPET-SEATS NEW 26in bush tires WITH heavy duty gear/DOUBLE CALIPER brakes NEW Exhaust complete including header stacks INSPECTIONS Fresh ANNUAL and all AD s Cessna 182G 1963 now CONVERTED to Large Cabin 185 Tail wheel with big HP Exhibition EXPERIMENTAL certificate plane no expiration on air worthiness certificate see pics . FLY IFR or VFR legal to fly day or nite in any air space has ADSB only limitation no commercial use . This plane can do both fast cross country 180MPH and rough back country flying ( DO IT ALL WITH ONE PLANE ) . 2015 after nose wheel damage plane was moved to EXPERIMENTAL and converted to tail wheel using a Murphy moose landing gear assemble work completed by certified AMP gate 9 aircraft Idaho falls and myself the owner . 2019 engine upgrade from 230 HP carb to 260HP TSIO 470 fuel injected and turbo charged NOW ITS A HOT ROD . 400 hour engine and prop was just rebuilt . Stable easy 182 flying and the most stable tail wheel around with the big wide stance heavy duty gear . Easy plane to fly and handle . Turbo makes all the power all the time and can go high and fast . Extended range fuel 79 Gal has modified 42 degree flaps and flap seals also has stall kit fence on wing for slower slall speed . Has awesome full engine monitor as well as added guages for boost fuel pressure firewall and boost air temp and fuel to air mixture . You know everything going on in this plane . Incredible paint job with sexy new carpet and seats . Set up with Garmin 796 mount in yoke giving glass panel info as well as traffic GPS ect 796 NOT INCLUDED . Have piles of pictured documenting all the conversion work and full log books 3700 hour air frame Other highlights include new tires, extended range 79-gallon fuel capacity, new exhaust system, fresh annual inspection, and new carpet, seats, and paint, giving this aircraft both show-quality appearance and backcountry toughness. This Cessna 185 is a fast, capable, and striking aircraft ready to go high, go far, and go anywhere.
Engine
1 Engine, Piston
Exterior
job with sexy new carpet and seats
Inspection
fresh annual inspection, and new carpet, seats,
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Listing Source
globalplanesearch.com
|
$175,000
|
Id, ID | Mar 17, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185
This 1963 Cessna 185 (N3679U) is a 6-seat single engine piston . There are currently 28 185 aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $175,000 to $383,262. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $175,000.
The 185 cruises at 145 kts (269 km/h) with a range of 720 nm (1,333 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 17,150 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 15.5 GPH (59 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $85/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $175/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $22,000.
FAA registration status: Valid. NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 9 airworthiness directives applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 185 — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 185
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 185. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
Registered Owner
POWERHOUSE COACH INC
Registration Address
IDAHO FALLS, ID
Certificate Issued
2012-09-27
Airworthiness
2015-07-09
FAA Status
Valid
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, updated Mar 15, 2026
Location & Ownership
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 database checked for N3679U.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 185
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 9 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company Models 150, 152, 170, 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 190, 195, 206, 207, 210, T303, 336, and 337 Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, 303, 336, and 337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, and 303 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 150, 152, 172, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 206, 207, 210, and 337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
UPON INSPECTION AND CLEANING OF THE ABI 3413-01K TAIL WHEEL FORK ASSY, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. PHOTOS UPON REQUEST.
MOUNTED IN THE RT FRONT POSITION, FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE.
INSTALLED NEW ACORN WELDING LTD. EXHAUST STACKS AND MUFFLER ON FACTORY NEW IO-550D ENGINE. BOTH EXHAUST STACKS CRACKED WITHIN 60 HOURS; REPLACED BOTH STACKS WITH NEW ACORN STACKS; ONE OF THE NEW STACKS CRACKED (1" HOLE) WITHIN 30 HOURS. REMOVED FRO...
WHILE EXECUTING A WHEEL LANDING ON RWY 29 AT AWO, UPON TOUCH DOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GENTLE DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WHICH COULD NOT BE CORRECTED WITH LEFT BRAKE OR LEFT RUDDER. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, EXITED THE RUNWAY ONTO THE GRAS...
UPON TAKE-OFF, A CESSNA 185 MADE A LEFT TURN. AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A GOLF COURSE. THE PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, I D...
THE AIRCRAFT CABIN HEADLINER WAS REMOVED FOR MAINTENANCE. AFTER REMOVAL, SEVERE INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE CARRY THROUGH SPAR. THIS RENDERED THE SPAR UNAIRWORTHY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED ...
DUE TO A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE HARTWIG AIRCRAFT "MONARCH PREMIUM FUEL CAPS" INSTALLED ON THIS AIRCRAFT THE CAPS WILL NOT SEAL. THIS IS DUE TO INCORRECT PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL CAP CHAIN RETAINING TAB FABRICATED IN THE FEMALE SECTION OF THE ...
CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED IN BOTH LH AND RH TAILWHEEL STEERING BELLCRANK BRACKETS DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. PN-0712039-1. THESE BRACKETS HOLD THE BELLCRANK THAT COMBINES THE INPUT FOR AIR RUDDER AND TAIL WHEEL STEERING. CRACKS ORIGINATED IN BOTH BRACKE...
(CAN) WHILE PERFORMING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PILOT STATED THE VACUUM FLUCTUATED. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SPLINES ON THE VACUUM PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW PUMP,AND FUNCTION CHECK WAS CARRIED OUT SATISFACTORY...
(CAN) DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PILOT SEAT BACK CAM WAS NOTICED TO BE LOOSE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CAM-SEAT BACK ADJUST ARM WAS BROKEN, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REPLACED THE CAM WITH A SERVICEABLE CAM TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT. ALL WOR...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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