When was the last time that you saw a full-sized Ford Bronco on the road? Not a white one on TV, but actually on the road? Some of you own one, but I bet it’s been at least months if not years for most of us. The seller has this one-owner rust-free 1988 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer Edition listed here on eBay in Clackamas, Oregon, there is no reserve, and the current bid is $6,600 – a screaming bargain!
Despite some customized headlights and tail lights, which could hopefully be put back to stock appearance without breaking the bank, this Bronco looks like it’s in incredible condition inside and out. The fourth-generation Ford Bronco – the full-sized Bronco, not the Bronco II – was made for a handful of model years, from 1987 until 1991. This beauty has a mere 53,859 miles on it!
For those of you who grew up in this era, the 1980s and early-1990s, this color was popular, as was Eddie Bauer. Maybe not so much for either of them anymore, sadly. If I look in my closet, a decent percentage of my shirts and jackets have Eddie Bauer tags on them, no doubt from the clearance rack. The seller mentions that this Bronco was in a bumper contest at some point and there’s a dent in it, but for the life of me, I can’t even see anything wrong with either bumper. They have included dozens of great photos, by the way. Fantastic job, seller!
That’s an unfortunate place to put the 4WD selector, but other than that, I don’t see a flaw inside. Sure, the seats have some wear and wrinkling after over three decades and 54,000 miles. As expected, the back seat looks pretty much like new and the underside is a thing of beauty. The Pacific Northwest is my favorite place to buy vehicles, as I’ve mentioned in the past. For the record and you’d better grab a chair for this: Hagerty is at $23,700 for a #3 good condition ’88 Eddie Bauer edition Bronco with a 302 V8. The bid is currently at $6,600 and there is no reserve with only a day and a half left on the auction. Need I say more?
The aforementioned Ford multi-port fuel-injected 302-cu.in. V8 would have had 185 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque when new. It runs and drives great, according to the seller. The only thing I noticed, and it could be related to the bumper-basher incident, is that the title is listed as “Rebuilt, Rebuildable & Reconstructed”, which could also be a mistake. Despite, that, this sure looks like a winner and a great deal to me, what do you think?
I’m with you Scotty, looks like a clean low-mileage Bronco with a low bid price, at least for the moment. These Eddie Bauer-trimmed Fords of the era were particularly attractive, with their tan interiors and tan offset paint against dark green/dark blue/red/black. Lots to like here.
It’s up to $7,101, Bob, but as you say, there’s a lot of time left on the eBay auction. If Hagerty knows anything about values, which they do, I’m guessing that we’ll see this one pop up on another auction site in the near future.
What an awful color,, ( what did he say?),,you know, I’ve noticed lately, color seems to be trickling back in, with plain colors, but colors, none the less. I actually see a couple of these and K5s, certainly nothing like 30 years ago, but they are around here. They always catch my eye, as they are non-existent up north. I don’t care for the headlights, but what amazes me, is with all the hoopla of modern SUVs, Ford nailed it 30 years ago. This was good enough. Great find, with winter fast approaching( notice any X-mas commercials lately?), this won’t be for sale long.
Seems I have to justify every wise crack with an explanation, kidding on the color, and if I “double comment” on EAs, I don’t have to re-log in,,
Ha, why you, I oughta… (just kidding) I used to kid about all of the “fancy” hunter-green Eddie Bauer Ford Explorers and Broncos in this era, but I’ll be danged if I don’t really like them now. I can’t imagine that this Bronco gets much fewer MPG than my current winter vehicle does (14), and it would clearly be a less-expensive ownership experience, not to mention probably just a lot cooler.
And, you’re right about things not changing that much over the decades. This was good enough back then and it probably still is. A person can always change the stereo to Bluetooth for hands-free phone use and I don’t have anything with automatic braking or lane change assist or anything like that, so I don’t miss it or need it. I just pay attention while driving, what a crazy, antiquated concept.
Howard, one comment on current colors. I’ve read that the most popular color on the new Ford Maverick is “Area 51”, which is a soft gray-ish medium blue. You’ve probably seen it. The color is also popular on Bronco Sport and Bronco. Granted, it still isn’t anything particularly bright and eye-catching, but at least it is a movement away from white/silver/gray/black.
Yep, Bob, spot on about Area 51 being the most popular new Bronco color. Seems like every other one I see on the road is that color. I’m glad that I picked the bright blue, really stands out in a sea of blah, boring colors that most buyers pick.
Scotti, I’ll disagree with you on the shifter location. As a long time driver of Ford trucks and Broncos with the lever in that location, I can tell you that I think it’s awesome. It’s easily accessible if needed and Ford did a great job with the placement because it never gets in the way of your foot or your leg. And I much prefer manual shifters to push-buttons.
We don’t see as many as we used to, but thankfully I still see a fair number of these on the roads here in Arizona.
Todd, that’s a great point, I stand corrected! Thanks for letting us know how a real owner feels about the shifter in that location, it makes sense to me now.
No genuine off roader wants a solenoid activation, when they’re in the woods. 🦌
One of best color combos ever, horrible headlights.
Love the colors, love the wheels. And yes get those lights back to stock asap.
Nice one here if you like the color and the headlight mod but even the factory headlights looked like a movie screen that continued around the corner. Front end on a 1986 F Series truck was the purtiest front end Ford ever made. I did not realize Ford did not make full sized Bronco’s until 1987.
I agree on the 80-86 style, James. And Ford started the full size Bronco in 1978.
They didn,t. 1978 was the year of full size Bronco
I had a 91 with the 302, not EB but nice. Mine had typical rust in the rear tailgate and fender wells. I bought it with a EGR check engine light and despite replacing every vacuum hose, EGR valve etc I could never clear that code lol. The truck was literally like a Sherman Tank and you were higher than 99% of the rigs on the road. Once the tranny took a dump I sold it for $500…yup grrrrrrrrrrr. Who thought these things would shoot up in value like they did? I definitely could see getting another one if prices ever went down but I’d go for the 351.
SOLD!!! Nice Bronco!!
This sold for $8300 yesterday. That was a good buy. It could bring $15,000 in the right market.
Someone STOLE it for $8,300!!! WOW!
i own a plain jane 93 bronco custom, the only thing ‘electric’ on it is the rear glass and speedo… 302 with 3-4 hunndred thousand on it… :)
I had the same vehicle and colors bought new in 1989 but the 4 wheel drive was activated by push buttons. Great vehicle; cannot recall any problems.
I last drove one 18years ago, it was mine, basic with two tone blue and silver, straight six, 5 speed manual . Another car I wish I hadn’t sold. Mine had a 4″ lift w/33s and a brush bumper.