Not really sure if this is where this might belong, but I found a 1979 Bronco in decent condition (not fully restored but not total rust bucket either). Has a rebuilt 351C with rebuilt C6 trans, both rebuilt about 40k miles ago, basically new tires, and recovered seats. The bad is it has a cracked grille and is missing the passenger side mirror. Would $1200 be a good buy for something in this condition?

 

There is a lot between a fully restored and a rust bucket, you should be more specific. The issues seem minor, and the price is actually very good (depending on the condition). I say go for it.

 

The 351C was never offered in the Bronco from the factory so if that's what it has, it was swapped in at some point. 78-79's got 351M and 400M power plants with later models getting the 351W, 302 or 300.

$1200 doesn't sound bad if it runs well and everything works.

 

doesnt sound like a bad price but "not a total Rust Bucket" hopefully this is not because it has a "thick candy shell" (aka Bondo Bucket) as the term restored in the truck world is used very loosely most of the time...

 

There's a little rust around the rocker panels, but not much else. It's possible that he was confused and got it mixed up with 351M. I'd have to get a better look at it, but judging by the pictures it probably doesn't have any Bondo on it. I kinda had a feeling it was a good buy, so I set up a meeting for this weekend (9/4) to have a look at it and I will report back with what I either bought or found.

 

I paid 1500 for a 78 half full of rust so i think 1200 with less rust than mine is a better deal. Check the usual spots door jams, bottom of doors, rocker panels, above rear fenders, rear quarter panels. Also the tail gate and hinges.

 

And the rear wheel well? stick your head in there.

 

Judging by the pictures he took there is a little rust in the door frames, mostly concentrated around the bottom right hand corner as you are looking at the door from the outside on both sides I believe. There is also a little patch of rust on the passenger side wheel well, but to tell you more I'd have to go look at it, which is what I'm doing this weekend.

Kinda off topic, but wouldn't the 351C and 351M look the same from the outside since the 351M used the 351C block and heads?

 

Well, sorry this is kinda late, I've been really busy this week. So I went over to look at it, and it was in worse condition than I thought, so I decided against it. Thanks for all the help with figuring out if this was a good buy, which it wasn't.

 

Good, just keep looking, you'll find a nice one soon, i'm sure.

 

I've been keeping my eyes open for a good one, but there's hardly any Broncos in my area, and the good ones are rarer still. Might have to start looking outside my area a little bit.

 

Best to wait for a good deal, than jump on one because of lack of options. One'll show up.
What area are you in?

 

Well, a mint 78 just popped in, you might want to check that one out:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-for-sale.html

 

I'm about 30 min. south of Mitchell, SD and about an hour out of Sioux Falls.