Wow: does it get much better than this? This 1985 Ford Bronco is not only a one-owner, low-mileage survivor but it also has a mere 12,464 original miles on the clock. The Bronco presents like a new truck and is equipped with a 4.9L inline-six engine and four-speed manual transmission. This is what I’d call the apocalypse spec, as it’s the type of drivetrain setup you simply can’t kill. The story goes that the older couple in the Midwest that bought this truck new and barely used it before the husband passed away. It comes with full documentation including the Marti Report. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $18,900 with the reserve unmet.
The colors scream poverty spec, and that’s OK – it’s almost like it’s a slightly nicer version of a military-grade truck. It makes total sense that a set of retirees would gravitate towards a truck like this, as many older adults simply want a basic, reliable form of transportation that will get them to and from their appointments and errands. Kudos to the older gentleman who still wanted to row his own gears when he ordered this truck! The Bronco is completely original all the way down to its factory wheels and standard-spec tires (no oversized tires here), rear step bumper, and removable top that has never been taken off the truck.
The interior is in astounding condition, truly a time warp cabin. The cloth bench seat and carpeting are certainly the types of colors that would be vulnerable to dirt and grime, but I see no such issues here. The dash is spotless and the instrument cluster crystal clear. This truck is not necessarily well-equipped from an options standpoint, but therein lies the charm. You can’t really build a truck like this these days, or at least not with four-wheel drive. Finding a stripped-down, utilitarian 4×4 with a manual gearbox and comfortable interior is a combination that simply does not exist, much like a stripped-down performance car is also a thing of the past.
Underneath, we see a spotless rig. Not a spec of rot-through anywhere, and even the surface rust is fairly limited. There’s little doubt that the Bronco saw infrequent use, and that the mileage claims are indeed accurate. It’s hard to believe sometimes that there are still finds like this out there – the proverbial truck that was used sparingly when new, parked, and never touched again. The fact that this Bronco has survived to such a degree is rather incredible, especially since it was sitting in a barn for years before being woken up and extracted. It should go for all the money this week, and I’m sure the seller will net himself a tidy profit on what is just another old truck in the eyes of estate appraisers and ingrateful heirs.
This one caught my attention because I had one. But mine had the XLT package plus 351 and automatic. It also had A-C which I’m rather used to as of late, unless I’m running around in my old relics. This is a nice basic truck, easy to work on and ultra reliable. Looks like it needs front springs, something that I had to replace on mine. Likely an NP 435 transmission with a 208 transfer case. Neither one will need anything special for a long time. I’d have a heck of a time getting used to a bench front seat instead of buckets and a console. But I could give this a try if I was in the market…
lol 😆
Very basic, low option, non-attention-getting color, anvil drivetrain. But low mileage and a manual transmission, which by 1985 was getting uncommon even in trucks. I like it. I can understand the solid bidding.
It’s great to see a low spec truck, this would be a very nice basic surf buggy for my daughter that would free my Jeep back up for me. Too bad it’s the wrong end of the US. I understand the strong bidding. Yes, I would add air, but otherwise, it’s a great example of what we used to buy in terms of an SUV. Not the totally overoptioned stuff that’s so carlike.
I remember when a friend of the family, locomotive engineer, had his 76 Catalina 4 door stolen. He used it to tow his family trailer and replaced it with a 1981 suburban. Crank windows, rubber floors, and dad and I put aftermarket air in on a Saturday. This Bronco is the same – a simple, basic 4×4.
Honest 4×4 amazing condition. 👏
Love the color! Shows nicely in that shade of a color. Interesting to see a bench seat too.
Lose the whitewalls and the full wheel covers. This baby should have body color or white painted steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps and blackwalls to complete the minimally optioned look.
Cool truck. Actually you can build one like this…..manual trans , base model, 4×4 on the 2022 Bronco although you can’t get away without power windows.
Um,,,no, it’s a VERY clean 112K someone detailed the heck out of. These were people babies and very well could have kept the inside like this, the underside tells the story, however, and no engine pics,ENNNNHHH, sorry, how I see it.
This is about as close as my Bronco was, only I had the non-O/D automatic( 1st mistake when some bozo ordered it) 300, carb,( 2nd mistake) 4:11 gears( 3rd mistake, and so on) It was just spec’d all wrong, but buying used, how would you know? Loved the truck, I’ll skip the ex-wife part, that a person here( and 7 followers) don’t care to hear about, was without question, best vehicle, I’ll maintain that to the end, but it rusted profusely, and got dismal mileage. It was still a breath of fresh air from that POS S-10 Blazer( that the ex went through 2 motors on,,oops, sorry) it replaced. The F.I. made a world of difference on these for the 300, but still in it’s infancy, had it’s problems. A friend had a ’85 pickup, 300, F.I.,,,we’re riding along, he wants to pass a car, downshifts, puts his blinker on,,and the truck misfires in tune to the blinker flashes. I said, what the heck is that? He said, a short somewhere screws up the fuel injection,,,and people have the gall to rip on Lucas.
Howard A. You are right about several things. I ordered a 79 F250 wanted a 302 but they wouldn’t do it because of emissions testing. I already had a 351M prior. (Hog). So they bragged about the 300. I got it. 4 speed w/granny 1st. Wouldn’t do a positive unless it was 4.10 gears so I got that ! Carburetor of course ! Could barely pull the hills around Lake Superior with cap and 2 canoes on top. 9-10 might was common but could squeak 12 if I was real careful. Speedo was 15 mph faster then actual speed so 2 different speedo gears finally got it close. I later put a 351M with crane cam offset crank 4° and 450 holley , 35 inch ground hogs and all that got me to 15 mpg on the highway. Ford 300 has its place in snowcats but doesn’t belong in a vehicle where there are hills. As for the mileage, I believe it, too clean on the inside even tho it took over 300,000 mile to wear my break pedal out . I wore the floor cover out first
Howard, I agree with you 100% on the mileage claim. I am sure there are a few very low mileage cars out there, but almost every 5 digit odometer vehicle that rolls across Barnfinds anymore claims some laughable low milege claim. Most of them are nothing more than a dishonest seller trying to take advantage of some unexpected person and trying to cash in. Well, I for one call BS on this one, and all the other 20 that have rolled across here in the last month.
In this case I might be inclined to give the vendor the benefit of the doubt. Having owned an ‘85 Bronco for the better part of 300K miles I’ve got a good idea what they look like after the first 100K. The steering wheel and pedals are indicative of low miles. Of course, a shot of the engine bay plus a personal view would help a lot. The only thing that bothers me is the front end height. Mine dropped a couple inches after two years and I replaced the front springs with a pair of good aftermarket ones which set it level and kept it there for the entire time I had it.
On a tangent my ‘49 Chevy had 19K miles on it when we pulled it out of the shed. A lot of people claimed that it had been around once but a lot more knew the car from Day 1. The pedals had no wear on them and a blast from the pressure washer in the engine bay revealed an engine which barely had the paint scorched on the exhaust manifold. One tappett was set too tight which burned an exhaust valve. Pulled the head and could find NO measurable wear on the cylinders. The underside was as rusty as this and still is. Anyway, I try to take people at their word, even today…
I agree, really hard to tell actual miles from photos. But people sure have strong opinions on evaluating miles based on photos. I will never understand that, unless it is very obvious. I have pulled many very low mileage cars out of garages at estates as part of my job for court settlements, and many are well documented with receipts and last year license registrations, and I guarantee you if I posted photos of some of them here people would insist the miles are rolled over. What folks don’t understand is the undercarriage can show corrosion even on extremely low miles car. We pulled a 1986 6,000 mile suburban out of a garage that was part of an estate. Last plated in 1988, and the bottom was a mess. If was parked in the garage in February 1988 when the owner passed. It was driven in Michigan salt and sat there until 4 years ago after being drive for the last time in salt . Most people would insist it was rolled over. My point, you have to inspect ultra low mileage vehicles in person. In regards to this Bronco, the interior soft trim looks amazing as does the steering wheel, carpet, rubber seals, etc., someone either replaced much of that trim with NOS parts, or it is low mileage. Can’t tell without looking the entire vehicle over including the engine compartment for original OEM rubber, clamps, seals, etc.
I had an identically spec’d stripper ’85 F150 from about 50k miles to 275k. Brings back a few memories looking at the same lack of amenities: no headliner, no carpet, no bucket seats and center console, no fake wood trim, no power windows, no tilt, no cruise, no wiper delay, no tach, no A/C, no automatic, no auto hubs, etc. Mine didn’t even have a button in the right door jamb to turn on the overhead light. Not sure any bullnose Bronco I’ve ever seen has been devoid of all those typical Bronco goodies.
Regarding validity of mileage, even though I’m in MD and certainly wasn’t shy about driving on salted roads, I don’t remember my bottom side having near that much surface rust before I sold it in 2000. Peddle wear is not always a reliable indicator as they are easily replaced. Some under the hood shots would be really helpful on this one. The Autocheck, although not totally reliable, shows two owners and several title events over the last 25 years.
And now the seller is monkeying around with the photos in the listing. That underside shot Barnfinds captured as well as one of the front axle and suspension are now gone, as is one that shows to pretty heavy wear on the drivers side armrest. So although this truck presents really well, I’m not sold on the 12k miles claim.
They claimed they bought it brand new title change could be father to son or something. When death occurs in the family you his change the title.
Exactly, see it alot in my business of estate settlements, owner dies, and they settle his estate and then transfer title to wife or oldest child, or brother, and then one of them dies, etc, etc. There is normally very little documentation on an ultra low mileage vehicle simply becasue it was not serviced. They may sit for 30 40 years without any service records. Tag registrations don’t show miles either.
Located in:
Clackamas, Oregon
Based on the additional pics & the back story in the information section of the eBay ad I would take the sellers word on the 12k original miles. But myself personally would never spend the kind of money these vehicles are bringing without a in person inspection! I’m not that trusting in today’s world! BTW it’s bid to $23k now
Geezer truck
Have any of you ever owned a non- A/C car / truck then had A/C installed to factory specs by an actual dealership and if so, about how much did it cost and on what make / model? I ask because I’ve gotten used to having air conditioning on my vehicles and some of these models lack that.
Thank you in advance…
~Lothar
Lothar I can’t imagine what it would cost today. 1984 a shop in Georgia would put in a very similar a/c to factory for $500 in my F250. But the other work that was done on my truck I wouldn’t ever trust another shop there. Not tightening my transmission cost me another tranny in Colorado while driving over one of the passes
I really like these Bullnose Broncos and trucks, but these were dark yrs on the engine options. I also like the 4.9, but as delivered were dogs, albeit hard to kill. I wouldn’t take much to open it up for more power and hopefully better mpg. This is arguably one of the better engines Ford produced for trucks as far as reliability, but designed before smog requirements and didn’t keep up very well with the changes.
This one is nice, but as with many other utilitarian vehicles we used to pick up reasonably used, they have exploded in value as this example shows. I’ve got a rough ’85 F150 in my driveway with this same drivetrain and think maybe now’s the time to get it going again.