A rising tide floats all boats, as the saying goes, and the popularity of Ford’s first-generation Ford Bronco in recent years has raised the stock of every old Bronco out there, including some that were long-ignored and passed over as too rough to restore. Testing that theory, we find this 1966 Ford Bronco in Duluth, Minnesota. The rusty red SUV left the factory as a U14 Half Cab, a miniature pickup truck version called “Sports Utility” in the 1966 Bronco brochure. Later in life it gained a full-length roof and a rear seat. Offered as is with no title, the Bronco comes to auction here on eBay where the No Reserve listing opened at $100. So far at least seven bidders have raised the stakes beyond $1000.
The 170 cid (2.8L) inline six turns by hand but is not in running condition. With the I6, manual steering, and manual brakes, this Bronco offered basic utility and simplicity in a compact trail-friendly size.
Replacement half-cab tops run about $2500 if you decided to go that direction, but the questions about “if” or what this perforated Ford could become remain squarely on the table. Mecum valued an immaculate ’66 U14 at $70k to $80k in 2019, and it sold for about $45,000 then.
The seller notes that the floors are “pretty rusty,” a comment that could only apply to what remains of them. Moss on the seats adds extra padding for those rough back roads. Flow-through ventilation renders air conditioning unnecessary; just watch out for freeloading gophers as you traverse the fields. All joking aside this Bronco offers what might be a solid frame, the cores of some mechanical parts, and assorted knobs and hardware that could be useful, but nearly everything visible is either rusted, faded, or dented beyond repair. Do you see this forlorn Ford as a vehicle or a collection of somewhat contiguous parts?
someone got creative a long time ago grafting a pick up tailgate panel on here…..somebody loved it at one time!
Good job Todd. I will give the seller credit for lots of good pictures so one can clearly see that just about everything is very, very rusty. I wonder when it was parked… it was probably sad then, and 30? 40? additional years haven’t helped.
The seller also has 2 other first generation Bronco’s currently listed and recently sold 4 others. All had an opening bid if $100 and were sold with no reserve.
As for this Bronco, it looks like a parts car.
Steve R
own one (& 4 more to make it) since ’82. Gimmie the falcon or AMX. Either those would hold my interest now (thru the end of the rest0mod).
Really liked them lill AMX (buddy had 1 in the day).’S good 2 have 1 that size (either of the 2 R in the 100 inch area) like the bronk. Big one big problems, lill 1 lill probs~
At least the starting bid is within the realm of realistic.