Is that the Bronco in question in Pete's inquiry slim?
Hard for me to tell. Does it look like this started out as a Sport with someone adding Ranger stripes before cutting?
You talking about the one above, or the one in the video?
The one here in your pictures looks like original Ranger stripes due to their cracking and checking. Looks exactly like the ones on a '75 a friend had with less than 60k miles, all original exhaust, carpet and other stuff. And truly zero rust.
And just like that one (is that the one you were asking about Pete?) there is NOT ONE CORNER OF THE BRONCO THAT DOESN'T NEED RESTORING!
In this crazy world someone thinks this Bronco is worth $10k just as it sits because "it's original" (which it isn't anymore) but in this condition, it literally has to be dipped in a vat of Green-Killer to get rid of the mold, mildew, lichen, and shrubbery that has taken hold.
In a normal (albeit overpriced) world, this is a $3000 Bronco at most.
In the current fever-pitched market, it's a $5000 Bronco because someone who's not really getting it will jump all over it thinking that the next $40,000 they put into restoring it is going to make it somehow a $60,000 Bronco. Which it likely won't...
But then again, with the right buyers it could.... Which is why there always seems to be someone willing to jump in full force on a pile.
So in spite of it being a Ranger (which can only add so much value in and of itself) it better be almost brand new everywhere you can't see and have less than 4000 miles on it before it was parked.
And even then it's still just a $3000 Bronco.
Dented fenders.
Tweaked rear corner
Mucho potential rust until you see pics from under everything.
Mucho potential rust on every exposed surface everywhere else.
PO-modified wiring.
Missing tire carrier (probably due to the tweaked rear corner)
Rusty exhaust
Cheap universal fender flares. Luckily this means that the stock fenders aren't as mutliated as they could have been, so new flares can likely be fitted with little issue. And the dented part of the front fender can go away.
Chrome trim likely salvageable. Chrome rear light bezels missing, but nice black ones in their place.
Some or all of the headliner MIA.
Etcetera stuff too...
Engine?
So just as it sits, with no labor added, the price for parts probably tops $20k right now.
Consider that when pricing it out and see if it's worth it to you. If you do your own work, then the total cost is way less.
If you have it done professionally, expect to pay a minimum of $60,000 bucks in today's restoration market. Notice too, that I said "minimum" in there as well. That way you won't be too shocked if and when it keeps going up.
Hence my current estimate of $3000 and my recommendation to offer less up front.
Unfortunately though, as I said before, you might be bidding alongside others that are just salivating at such a glorious find.%)
Up to you how you deal with that scenario.
Good luck!
And welcome too Pete. Hope it works out for you. A '74 Ranger is actually a nice desirable model. But you could spend less on one already on the road when all is said and done. So how that works for you is if your budget allows a big up front purchase price, or you have to start at the low end and build it yourself.
Paul
