What to do before selling my Bronco

[3.8SC Bronco]

Opinions needed, thinking about selling my Bronco and wondering what more to do to get best return on my investment. It is a '71 with about 75,00 miles, 1 of 2 known to have a 3.8 supercharged V6 transplant. I've done a frame off restoration but but have not painted exterior, it was a good 20 footer when I got it.
Frame sandblasted and POR15, new floor pans and rockers, underside and interior bed lined all done by a professional body shop. The 3.8 with AOD were purchased from a former Ford employee with 0 miles on them. D20 rebuilt by transmission shop, 4:11 gears but open on both ends. Power steering and front disk brakes but no power brakes, no room for booster. 2" body lift, stock size wheels and tires.
Runs and drives like new and very dependable, needless to say but very fast. Exterior is still is a good 20 footer even after having body off and on cart/rotisserie. Has paint blisters on front edge of hood and lower tailgate, no rust holes anywhere. Hardtop hanging in my garage is in good condition except for the front lip where it sets on windshield frame.
So what would you guys do to make it more attractive to potential buyers?
My list of potentials is paint with new tailgate, 2 1/2" lift with new wheels and tires, limited slip rear and possibly front. Let me know what or if any of this would give me a better return on an already $40,000 +/- investment.
Thanks, Dennis

 

[sanndmann3]

If the current paint is original, I think it would be a huge mistake to repaint. I don't think a lift or tires is going to increase the value more than the cost of the parts. New owner may or may not like the additions...
Just fix all the little things that don't work and put it on the market.
Good luck with the sale, very nice Bronco!

 

[FRANKO289]

Good looking 71 .... whats the vin ? Don't need to know the last 2 numbers !

thanks

 

[hyghlndr]

I would be very surprised if you recoup your investment. While the motor has the different factor, It will be a harder sell an appeal to less buyers. I have had everything from straight 6, 4.6L, 3.8v6, all the strokers and 5.0 coyote...and more. People want a Ford v8.

Is the paint original? Blistering usually means poor quality repaint, bondo, etc and will really hurt.

Bedliner inside and underside hurt value.

 

[Cortez]

Just get some counseling and keep it - that’s a nice truck! ;D

 

[3.8SC Bronco]

Franko, vin#u15flk249
Others, thanks for the input.
It has had 1 repaint, bondo on the tailgate so I would replace that.

 

[elan]

Some "may" want the Bronco with the modifications. But, as others have mentioned, the general populace of folks into Broncos want that good ol' Ford 289 or 302. For me, I like the inline 6 as well. As long as it is Ford.

And, perhaps it may be easier to change the wording from investment to spent funds. In my world, investment usually pertains to getting a return on stated amount.
I can't tell you many people spend gobs of money on these things, only to get spanked in the end.

I'm thinking that if you spend more money then you might as well kiss that money goodbye. Seeing what you have spent so for, and, as an hobbyist with over forty years of Broncos, Porsche, Lotus, Sunbeam Tigers and Boss 302's, I advise you stop spending. No good can come of it.

This may sound harsh but, you asked.

Mike

 

[rguest3]

Your Bronco looks great. The more you put in it, the less you will get back out.

Leave the rest of the mods, if any, to the new owner.

 

[Crawdad]

Might be difficult but find the vin on the frame.

 

[pipeline010]

I consider myself John Everyman in terms of purchasing these trucks today. Got the money, don't have the brain (..about every nook and cranny on the truck, that is). It's either bone stock or its not. If its not, don't sweat the small stuff.

I do not care about what engine is in there. Does it go when I press the skinny one and stop when I press the fat one?

The paint looks beautiful. Show paint MIGHT bring you more $$$$, but it might not. And that's a massive investment for a maybe.

Clean frame w/ por is awesome, AOD is great as well. No power on the brakes is annoying only because it looks like I can't get a booster in there..maybe I'm wrong?

This may seem like a lame comment....but remember I'm taking the viewpoint of John Everyman...the soft top with lack of hard top would annoy me as a buyer. If you could source one as nice as the rest of your truck I would. It's a major detail item that shows the truck is as complete as possible.

Without seeing the interior and going on the assumptions that - 1. everything you've written is fact and - 2. the interior is as nice as the exterior:

Your truck is spectacular imo, and shouldn't go for under 38k. At 32k it's a freaking steal and I wouldn't be shocked to hear you got over 45k, as is.

All that said? Don't sell it. Broncos are cool and selling it will make you a little less cool.

EDIT: just read the hardtop is in the garage. I stand by my comments above.

 

[half cab]

Stock steel 16's would rock.

 

[trailerjack]

I'd go stock steel wheels, and sell it as is. If you repaint it, the buyer is gonna say he wants the paint original or a different color (or whatever). The only thing that would scare me away about that as a buyer is that there is little knowledge on the conversion (compared to other engine swaps) and if I ran into a problem down the road, it may be tough to find the answer....but that's me, and I am not a good mechanic....but I can sure as heck use the search bar!

She's a beaut, best of luck with the sale.

 

[FRANKO289]

Franko, vin#u15flk249
Others, thanks for the input.
It has had 1 repaint, bondo on the tailgate so I would replace that.

well it is a original 6 cylinder ...made October 1970 ....

 

[charlie6976]

Just get some counseling and keep it - that’s a nice truck! ;D

...x2

If not, is it ok to test the market by putting it up for auction with a high reserve? Before more investment? Or is this frowned upon?

 

[sykanr0ng]

...x2

If not, is it ok to test the market by putting it up for auction with a high reserve? Before more investment? Or is this frowned upon?

Could cause you some trouble or a bad name for yourself if you misjudge the market and someone bids over your reserve then you don't sell like you offered.
Having seen the crazy prices some ask for Broncos I would not bet against anyone paying way more than we think they are worth just to get a decent one.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Do NOT paint it. A proper paint job will cost way more then you will get back. A cheap paint job will show up as cheap and detract value. Looks good for what it is. The market for Patina is fairly strong. Leave it.

Spend a little time fixing little things. Rattles, squeaks, sticky door latch, hanging window regulator. Stuff like that.

 

[3.8SC Bronco]

Thanks to everyone sharing, looks like I'm better off selling as is. I really don't expect to make any money on it, just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I could do to put me closer to a break even point.
Just to give a little more background, I'm not new to collector vehicles. It started with a '69 Rallysport Z/28 I bought in high school. Kept that 22 years, restored to show quality, all original DZ #'s matching. Sold that when the market for muscle cars was down, today it would be worth 5-6 times more than I sold it for. After going through a '67 Nova and '72 Vette my wife didn't like any of them so I bought a pristine '80 Mercedes 450SL, kept that for 12 years.
She still didn't see the value in an extra vehicle setting in the garage so I got the Bronco because by then I knew she wouldn't like anything I bought. I was right, she hates it and I proved a point, she married a car guy like it or not.
That brings us to where I'm at today. She saw the Haggerty article stating the Bronco is the most collectible vehicle today. I got thinking I didn't want to make the same mistake twice and should probably sell while the Bronco market is hot. She already gave me the green light for a new Bronco so anxiously awaiting to see that will even be something worth setting in the garage.
The Bronco has been a fun project and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of you fantastic Classic Bronco people.
Sorry to bore all of you with my sad story but it feels good to get it off my chest. Thanks to all, Dennis

 

[svastano]

Looks nice as is, Might be tough getting that kind of money out of it.

 

[sprdv1]

Just get some counseling and keep it - that’s a nice truck! ;D

Totally agree.. Very nice rig

 

[sprdv1]

Spend a little time fixing little things. Rattles, squeaks, sticky door latch, hanging window regulator. Stuff like that.

Agreed.. All those little things will make a potential buyer happier w/the purchase.