There is always a fear that the flow of amazing classics hidden in barns and sheds will eventually slow to a trickle before drying up entirely. I don’t subscribe to that line of thinking because additional vehicles will join the “highly desirable” list with each passing year. That is the case with the 1979 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT. When it was new, few people would have anticipated that it would become highly sought, but that has been its fate. Our feature Bronco has a simple history. The owner found it in storage and has worked through returning it to a roadworthy state. Changing circumstances force him to part with the Ford, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Bronco is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and solid bidding has pushed the price to $25,100 in a No Reserve auction.

The seller states that this Bronco has a simple ownership history. It appears that the vehicle received limited use by its original owner before they parked it in their garage. It remained in that location for more than thirty-five years before being spotted by the seller. He performed the work required to return it to a roadworthy state, including a thorough exterior detail and polish. Its Medium Gold Sand and Pastel Sand paint is mainly original, with only some minor touchup work visible. It holds a beautiful shine, with no significant flaws or defects. The panels are equally impressive, with only a couple of minor marks on the tailgate worth mentioning. The best news with this classic is its lack of significant rust. The owner identified a spot in the tailgate, but he had this repaired. Otherwise, it appears that this classic is rust-free. The listing suggests that the Bronco spent most of its life in California, which may help to explain its overall condition. The front bumper is bent, but the remaining trim looks okay. The windshield is cracked, but once again, the rest of the glass seems fine. The owner performed a couple of upgrades on the Ranger, leaving me torn. There’s no doubt that the 4″ lift and the bigger wheels make a striking visual impact, but we will have readers who would prefer the vehicle in its original guise. The changes give the Bronco a muscular appearance, but I am erring on the side of returning the Ranger to a factory-fresh state.

Powering the Bronco is a 402ci V8, while the rest of the drivetrain includes a dual-range transfer case, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. When you combine 156hp, 277 ft/lbs of torque, and four-wheel-drive capabilities with an automatic transmission, this Bronco should be able to inch its way over some pretty hostile territory. Those abilities would be accentuated by the 4″ lift and the larger wheels and tires. While I’m not a fan of these upgrades, I acknowledge that the seller performed the work to a high standard. He didn’t settle on throwing in some longer springs and bigger wheels. He added longer shocks, new brake lines, and extended driveshafts. That indicates that this owner thinks carefully before he acts. As part of the revival process, he performed all of the usual fluid flushes and changes. He also replaced the hoses and belts, replaced seals and gaskets, and completed a tune-up. The buyer is set to reap the rewards because the Bronco appears roadworthy and ready to go. Thanks to its long hibernation, it has a genuine 38,000 miles on the clock. That means it should have years of faithful and reliable service left to offer its next owner.

The impressive presentation continues when we open the doors and climb aboard this Bronco. The interior features cloth and vinyl trim, and apart from a few cracks on the driver’s seat vinyl, it appears perfect. The carpet hits the mark with me because these lighter shades are prone to stains and problems when fitted to vehicles of this type. However, there are no issues worthy of mention. The dash looks excellent, with the faux woodgrain showing no evidence of wear or lifting. While the interior may not be dripping with luxury appointments, the factory AM radio should provide welcome entertainment on longer journeys.

By 1979, Ford’s Bronco had been on the market for fourteen model years. The First Generation vehicles failed to sell in the volume Ford anticipated, and it would have been easy to wave the white flag and call it a day. However, the company persevered with a Second Generation model from 1978, and their determination was repaid in the showroom. That first year of production saw 77,917 buyers hand over their cash, but it proved to be the sales entree. Our feature Bronco is 1-of-104,038 vehicles to roll off the line in 1979, marking an incredible 33% improvement over an already impressive sales record. Today, a tidy and unmolested ’79 Bronco Ranger XLT will easily achieve a sales price of $30,000, although higher figures are not rare. Reversing the owner’s changes to this vehicle would not be difficult if the buyer craves originality. Considering its odometer reading and overall condition, I won’t be surprised if it exceeds that upper figure before the auction ends. Do you have a forgotten ’79 Bronco sitting in your shed? If you do, you could be sitting on a goldmine.