To buy or not to buy

[dr_brewer]

 
Hi guys,
 
I'm brand spanking new to the forum.  I've been looking for quite some time to find an early bronco for me and my son.  I've found one that I am pretty interested in, but wanted to get some opinions on whether the pictures make it look like an good deal.  Obviously, I'm concerned about rust...but I don't have much to compare it to.  This is a 1966.  It has primer on it.  Needs some sanding and a paint job.  $7500 + whatever it costs me to get it here.  It's 800 miles away.  I should add that the car has sat since 1989 and only has 46k original.  The owner is a mechanic who got it on trade for some work.  He says it starts and runs fine with no smoking.  
 














 
 
Thoughts?
 
Thanks for any and all help/advice.
 
Dave

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Dave.., welcome..!  

I like it..!!   The price seems pretty fair these days.  I like all the underneath pics as they show the usual rust-out

areas. Looks real good.  Even on the best.., there's going to be some rust patched areas..., or a bit of surface

rust here-n-there.

The golden rule;  "Believe half of what you see --- & nothing what you hear."

It's rare that a seller will tell you the bads along with the goods.

Having said that.., you should expect spending an additional 4-5K to get it set-up for service. Depending

on what you're going to do with it.  AND.., who does the work.., you, or pay someone to do it. (then it gets expensive)

Laying an eyeball :-B  on it is the obvious best decision maker.

Good luck.., keep us posted..!

Bob

 

[dr_brewer]

Thank you Bob,

When you say 4-5 to get set-up for service, does that mean to make it drivable?  I work from home and don't drive much.  If I purchased this, I would probably sell my truck and try and get this guy drivable as cheaply as possibly.  The owner says it definitely needs tires, and a master cylinder replacement.

Thanks again.

Dave

 

[genthree]

Dave, I did this a couple years ago with my kids....  Started with a 73 that lived in Blackberry bushes for the past 10 years...

Safety is you key point right now, brakes will need to be done, gas tank drained and fuel lines replaced.  All fluids need to be changed.  TIRES!!  Yes you could get this going pretty cheap, but keep in mind this car is 50 years old and has been sitting for a bunch of that time.  So be prepared for some surprises along the way.

It is an awesome project and you will get a ton of bonding time with your son.

Like Bob said, it really depends if you guys are able and willing.  NOTHING is real complicated on these rigs and it is a great "learning" rig.

Keep us posted if you need any help or have questions down the road.

 

[dr_brewer]

Thanks guys.  

I will be learning.  I have the tools (bought a bunch of snapon some time ago from an estate sale). 

 
I don't have the know how, but I'm pretty mechanically inclined and willing to do research online and watch videos, so I think I can figure some stuff out.   
 
I'm hoping I can get it safe and drivable and then pick things off one at a time as time/money permits.  

The guy drained the gas tank when he parked it in '89.  It was covered.  I imagine I will just pay someone to get the brakes solid and fluids changed (better safe than sorry).  Then the idea would be to just continue to improve as time/money permits.  My son is 4 so we have years to get her perfect.

Rust and price seems reasonable?

If so, I think I'll pull the trigger and figure out how to get it back to Dallas.  

Thanks again!

Dave

 

[Bully Bob]

You'll do fine..,  I call these early Broncos "The American Volkswagon"  in that there's nothing you

can't remove, fix, repair ,replace.

As to "driveable" no.., it wouldn't take much $$   In fact, most of the rigs I drug out of the slow graves

they were in, I got a thrill out of getting them able to make it around the block & even some able to

use around town.  Doing this helped make the issues stand out & gave me some priorities. 

(some took weeks B/4 I could move them out of the garage)

Most all of us here are just mechanically inclined/"shade-tree" mechanics..., & proud of it... B)

I knew next to nothing about Land Cruisers or Broncos when I started.  If I can do it.., most anyone can.

Brakes & fluids are pretty easy. Libuary helps or get a book at the auto parts.  Good jack-stands

or HD blocks of lumber are needed for safety. Take one drum off & have a look. May just need a good cleaning

& a wheel cylinder or two.

Ditto Gen3's suggestions. Check-in no matter how small a job. Someone here will be glad to help you.

BTW that Inline 6cyl. is a workhorse & will serve you well once set up & tuned.. /