Value of fiberglass vs metal?

[ryoungbronco]

Do you think that by having a fiberglass body it would decrease the value of a bronco?

 

[bteutsch]

Personally I think it does decrease the value. To some it may not matter. A running fiberglass bronco is probably worth more than a not running pile of rust.

 

[Nothing Special]

Really depends on the body and buyer. A nicely restored (or just a nice) steel body will be the only thing of interest to a collector, who is the buyer most likely to pay the most (assuming the rest of the vehicle is collectable). But speaking as someone with a driver Bronco living in the rust belt, if I were in the market I'd pay more for a well done fiberglass body than I would for a good steel body. (But I won't pay anywhere near what a collector might pay.)

 

[ryoungbronco]

Let's just say that if a nicely restored metal bronco sells for $35-40k. Could I price my exact same rebuild quality fiberglass bronco in that price too?

 

[triracer67]

I sold a fully restored '76 (frame off) with new ford crate motor for $13k two years ago, it was a very nice Bronco. My opinion is that an all metal would have fetched at least twice that much. I have sold nine Broncos, this one was by far the nicest, and didn't fetch the most money by far. Just my .02...

 

[1strodeo]

Let's just say that if a nicely restored metal bronco sells for $35-40k. Could I price my exact same rebuild quality fiberglass bronco in that price too?

I've wondered about fiberglass EB value also, but to answer this question, No because a new steel tub is worth twice as much as a new fiberglass tub.

 

[Apogee]

Steel will always be worth more in a strict dollar for dollar sense, but there's nothing wrong with a good glass EB...it sure opens up the driving season for guys in the rust belt.

 

[Iwannagofast]

I have an early bronco that is a fiber glass full body and a few that are steel. The fiberglass one I've been offered 70k for it. I find myself driving it most and the fit and finish is just so nice. I like the glass sense I drive my truck in all weather. too each there own...

 

[House]

Depends on the buyer.
I personally would not buy one.

 

[Tugross302]

I prefer steel but I’d love to have a glass one to drive full time. Though I’d still be afraid of suspension and frame rust

 

[sykanr0ng]

A big part of it will be what the buyer wants the Bronco for.

For a street Bronco or one that is only off-road at the beach or sand dunes fiberglass could work.

For other off-road driving though, you brush up hard against one tree with fiberglass and you are not pounding it back out.

 

[Rustytruck]

Do you think that by having a fiberglass body it would decrease the value of a bronco?

Nope,

Take a rusted out Bronco.
Remove the old rusted out body.
Add a new fiberglass body.
You increased its value.
As long as you don't dump more money into it you will have increased its value.

If you plop any more money into it to make it a resto mod or restored Bronco with a fiberglass body you will wish it still had a restored steel body instead of fiberglass one when it comes to sell.

Unless you find that 1 in 10,000 early Bronco buyers that wants to drive a Bronco on wet beach sand or salted winter roads or maybe a cool plow truck.

 

[Nothing Special]

....For other off-road driving though, you brush up hard against one tree with fiberglass and you are not pounding it back out.

I had a 'glass body on my old CJ5. That sucker was TOUGH. The worst hit it ever took was when a 4" diameter 4' long log fell about 20' out of a tree and landed on the hood, hitting at about a 45 degree angle. It barely scratched the paint. It took quite a few hits rockcrawling too and held up way better than steel.

Sure, a really bad hit will crack it, but fiberglass can be repaired too. And on the type of hits that you just pound out of steel I didn't have to do anything.

 

[American180]

I was looking extensively for a Bronco the last year or two. I was tracking asking prices, auction prices, and sold prices (the best that I could). I found that Fiberglass Bronco's were bringing less money.

 

[fordguy]

Depends on the buyer.
I personally would not buy one.

i think this is the best answer^^ the guy with deep pocket gets what he wants.
as they say on street outlaws i am an OG steel guy lol American steel!!!!

 

[charlie6976]

Depends on the buyer.
I personally would not buy one.

Depends on the current owner. Are you building for your needs/pleasure? Or are you building for a future sale/owner?

 

[Glass Pony]

Depends on the current owner. Are you building for your needs/pleasure? Or are you building for a future sale/owner?

Good question to add to the thread. I built my FG Bronco for my needs/pleasure.

 

[1strodeo]

Good question to add to the thread. I built my FG Bronco for my needs/pleasure.

You are living the dream my friend!! ;D That there is calendar-quality stuff!

 

[Rustytruck]

as they say on street outlaws i am an OG steel guy lol American steel!!!!

You were an OG steel Guy with american steel. By the time you replace the floor boards, fenders, tailgate front grill, rockers and several patch panels made with Chinese steel allot of the American steel is gone back to iron oxide.

 

[tasker]

I built my project rig to run year round up here (GLASS) in New England...and built it for me. There will be no next owner as I will be buried in it!