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What to do with paint to maximize value.

CarBen

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2025
Messages
2
I am in possession of a 1966 U13, all original with exception of the paint/wheels. Looks like it was sent south of border to get a color change. Question is what is best way to attack exterior to maximize the value?

In addition, the 2nd fuel tank was added, should it be removed?

Thank you in advanced for your help...Lee
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jeffncs

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
1,894
Loc.
Raleigh, NC
I think it really depends on your goals / aspirations with thw truck.

Are you looking for a 100 point show truck that only sees thw ground after it comes off of a trailer?

Or are you looking for an accurate but personalized truck?

Or are you going to “make it your own”?

I appreciate the showroom restored trucks, but I always build my projects to my preferences. Color selection, rims, cage, top, lift….. I may pick a period-correct color but it may not be the original build.

My vote? Go with your heart and build it how you want to build it! Concourse? Awesome! Beater / daily driver? Awesome! Just have fun with it!
 

jeffncs

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
1,894
Loc.
Raleigh, NC
Adding…. If just looking for resale value, do your homework for the price of a full paint job vs finished value (and likely selling price!).

A complete, pro paint job is going to fetch $10-$20k unless you know someone or can shoot it yourself to get comparable results.
 

bigmuddy

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 28, 2004
Messages
8,063
Loc.
Marthasville Missouri
If it's a flip, wash it, buff it out as best you can and move on with cleaning up the mechanicals.

I would love to have a rust free beater run around rig like that. yeah the paints not great but I could make it my own and make it more attractive without worrying to much about paint.
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,065
Looks good enough to me. Wash it be done. Sounds like you want to flip it. The patina of what you have now is the best value. May have been resprayed in the past, but that is a vintage respray. Anything less than a 5-figure paint job that will take at least a year to get done will reak of a low grade flipper. Even if you want to keep it for yourself.

The way you ask the question makes i sound like you just got a cheap Bronco and are trying to sell it for more money. The higher you try and sell it for, the smaller the audience that will be looking for it. And the pickier they will be. Which means the higher quality of EVERYTHING and that will inflate the costs.
 

Shimmy

Contributor
1977 Bronco
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Messages
1,392
Loc.
Maple Valley
agree with what's been commented already. get it in good mechanical shape, leave the body as is. clean it up.... then decide if you want to take on the body/paint. that'll open a whole can of worms and may not be a wise option if you're flipping this or trying to get the most out of it
 
OP
OP
C

CarBen

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2025
Messages
2
Lot of good responses, thank you. I am doing this project for an elderly couple that purchased in the mid 70’s and have a lot of memories with it. He had mentioned that he want to make it mechanical sound and maybe cosmetic. He plan is to maybe sell in future to help pay for their L/T care.

I guess my original question should have been, should it be painted original color or a color that they like?
 

Madgyver

Bronco Madman
Joined
Jul 30, 2001
Messages
15,030
Sell it as is. If you work on it to sell, you'll get attached to it. harder sell.
 

ba123

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 29, 2022
Messages
2,756
Loc.
CA
The problem is with the prep necessary to do a good paint job will most likely uncover a boat load of work needed and might not be worth the effort/time/cost.

Might be better to spend that on the mechanical side.
 

Shimmy

Contributor
1977 Bronco
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Messages
1,392
Loc.
Maple Valley
Lot of good responses, thank you. I am doing this project for an elderly couple that purchased in the mid 70’s and have a lot of memories with it. He had mentioned that he want to make it mechanical sound and maybe cosmetic. He plan is to maybe sell in future to help pay for their L/T care.

I guess my original question should have been, should it be painted original color or a color that they like?

the color that they like
 

bronco italiano

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 1, 2004
Messages
2,593
Lot of good responses, thank you. I am doing this project for an elderly couple that purchased in the mid 70’s and have a lot of memories with it. He had mentioned that he want to make it mechanical sound and maybe cosmetic. He plan is to maybe sell in future to help pay for their L/T care.

I guess my original question should have been, should it be painted original color or a color that they like?
Don't paint it if that is the case. Mechanically sound is best. A buyer will want it without new paint so they can have "their painter" strip it and do it how they want.
 

Scoop

Contributor
Bronco Old Fart
Joined
Feb 1, 2006
Messages
11,116
Loc.
Cuchara, CO
What was the original color? From the scratches on the bulkhead it looks like turquoise. Did the couple who own it now paint it brown? If so, that’s probably the color they like. If you do paint it I’d say ordinal color would be best for value.
 

Madgyver

Bronco Madman
Joined
Jul 30, 2001
Messages
15,030
Paint materials and consumables will costs you $1500.+
Labor hours will triple that or more.
 
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