CA 1973 Baja Bronco at the Mecum Auction, Anaheim 11/16/12

[Broncitis]

The bid prices seemed light to me, at least compared to what some of the slapped together Broncos sold for recently at the Vegas auction. I thought SoCal would have higher bids, but then again, I did not look at all the rigs in detail.

To pull big money at these auctions, I think they need to be super fresh, highly detailed frame off restos or resto-mods. Actually, the shiny newly painted Broncos with 33-35's seem to offer the best return. Unfortunately, many of them have appeared to have had poor workmanship from what many have pointed out about them on here over the years.

Sometimes you will see a high dollar survivor or mild resto go big, but it is usually something super rare that is better known or more widely sought after than a Baja.

 

[mfrank]

The price seems light to me as well. Here is a bronco that just went for $30,100.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Ford-Bronco-Explorer-Auto-RESTORED-NO-RESERVE-/110972033172?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19d672d894

 

[BajaBronco]

Broncitis, like a roadster or ranger? Just curious about what sort of bronco best fits the description of your last paragraph.

 

[Broncitis]

Broncitis, like a roadster or ranger? Just curious about what sort of bronco best fits the description of your last paragraph.

At an auction setting like Mecum, BJ, RM, etc. , I was thinking more on the lines of a Yenko, some Shelby's, Baldwin Motion, Gullwing, vintage Ferrari, etc., not limited to just Bronco. All of these vehicles that seem to bring big money seem to be super clean, high end restos, but some as I just listed can still go big in survivor or mild resto form as well, but most would often likely still go for more if fully restored, but the cost to do that would often turn it into a looser for the seller.

There are more muscle car guys at those auctions, and it takes at least two with deep pockets who want the car and know what is rare, unique, or otherwise desirable about it to drive up the bid.

I do not see these auctions as the place to sell some Broncos as the uniqueness of some of them will be lost as they are rushed across the block.

For flipping mediocre to above average street modified Broncos with a shiny paint job and some new tires and wheels, it seems to have proven to be a place to do well.

However, I have not seen many high quality rigs bring amounts where anyone would have really made any money when the cost of the restoration is factored in. This is true of many vehicles sold at these auctions, lots of them are very well bought and could not be duplicated for what they sell for.

At one of these auctions, I do not think a fresh Nicks Trix or Icon build would pull what their customers pay for them. To me, it seems the original, or high end custom Bronco has not yet reached the level of consistent big $ at these auctions like some other models have, but the $20-$30K street mod rigs seem to do well.

 

[BajaBronco]

copy that. I agree. There were 4-5 other Broncos. Only one of them was clean, but extremely outdated, but fit your description of what goes. I think that names like Shelby, Yenko, Baldwin, etc, are more widely known, and that Stroppe's are still sleepers at this point, to the auction-buying crowd in particular. I've been in this business, not just in Broncos, for 20 years, and this was the first auction I attended in to any serious degree. I had a great time and learned alot about them.

 

[andyp]

There just weren't the right buyers in the room for this truck. There was a lot of interest. Heading toward the block people were all over the truck. Nobody was asking the kind of detailed questions you would expect of a serious buyer however.

My brother flew out from Kansas City and did the whole trip with me. My son drove up from San Diego St. and rode with me up on the block so that was very cool. He was blown away by the whole scene. That in itself made the whole experience worthwhile for me.

Thanks to Andrew Norton for all your help, including stopping to help change a flat on I-5 on the way home!

 

[lil bronco]

Man that flat looks nasty.That sure is a very nice looking BAJA you have.

Wish I had the $$$ to buy it.

I would rather have that then one the hi'dollar builds some the bronco builders offer.Not to call any names.

 

[N747JB]

Out of curiosity, what does the OP want for the truck?

 

[1971BroncoSport]

Video of Baja Bronco crossing the block

It didn't get much air time - here is link to the Baja crossing at Mecum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJFLZe95BFY

 

[andyp]

It didn't get much air time - here is link to the Baja crossing at Mecum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJFLZe95BFY

Cool, thanks for posting.
Man, that is one sweet looking Baja.

 

[mfrank]

So did the Bronco meet reserves?

 

[andyp]

So did the Bronco meet reserves?

No it did not

 

[N747JB]

No it did not

I couldn't tell from the video, did you have an actual bid? I didn't look like it, but the audio is not real clear. Anytime the bid jumps from 25 to 27 then 30 with nothing in between it seems like the auctioneer is fishing. I am not commenting on the value, I know nothing about Baja's, just commenting on the auction. I'd love to have your truck! ;D

 

[andyp]

I couldn't tell from the video, did you have an actual bid? I didn't look like it, but the audio is not real clear. Anytime the bid jumps from 25 to 27 then 30 with nothing in between it seems like the auctioneer is fishing. I am not commenting on the value, I know nothing about Baja's, just commenting on the auction. I'd love to have your truck! ;D

They did bump it once but I'm not sure where in the bidding. I did have an offer from one of the bidders after they closed the bid so I know there was at least one guy!

 

[N747JB]

They did bump it once but I'm not sure where in the bidding. I did have an offer from one of the bidders after they closed the bid so I know there was at least one guy!

Yeah, you gotta have two bidders that fall in love to get the big money, sometimes it's the luck of the draw of who's standing there and who had to pee. %)

 

[C_Man69EB]

agree with all who has commented, the truck is really nice, very well done. i think the results are more of a reflection of economics and these strange times, rather than baja values. Keep us informed AndyP of the status of the truck. Thanks for sharing the process.

 

[andyp]

As a final closure on this thread I have decided to daily drive the Baja for a while. I'll continue to make improvements along the way. First on the list is power brakes. The truck runs and drives so nice it just seems like the right thing to do.
I'm registered for Fabulous Fords so I'll have it down there.

Drove it to work today. Shot of the truck outside my office window.

 

[Baja71]

It was meant to be! ;D

 

[SP66]

As a final closure on this thread I have decided to daily drive the Baja for a while. I'll continue to make improvements along the way. First on the list is power brakes. The truck runs and drives so nice it just seems like the right thing to do.
I'm registered for Fabulous Fords so I'll have it down there.

Drove it to work today. Shot of the truck outside my office window.

It's such a beautiful Bronco. I hope you enjoy it. Never paid much attention to the Baja's before seeing yours.

 

[mhutch1224]

Still for sale..

I have some questions about your Baja EB. Is it still for sale? I see that you're daily driving it, but, didn't know if that meant you no longer wanted to sell it. PM me please. Thanks.