Cap’n Obvious says: A vehicle from a dry area will generally be more solid than one from a wet area. He goes on to pontificate: But, if that dry state is burning hot and sunny for months at a time (I’m looking at you, Arizona), things such as interiors tend to get burned. This solid 1978 Ford Bronco is listed here on eBay in Winston, Montana and the current bid price is $13,900.
1978 was the first model year for the totally redesigned Ford Bronco and it was a big change, figuratively and literally. Anyone who has owned or ridden in a first-gen Bronco knows that they weren’t the posh, coddling SUVs that a good percentage of people drive today. That’s part of the charm, of course, and maybe why they’ve been hot sellers over the last decade or more. This Bronco appears to have the “Combination Tu-Tone” paint scheme in Wimbledon White and Bahama Blue.
From late 1977 for the 1978 model year until 1979, Ford offered the second-generation Bronc, and they were almost 30 inches longer and about 10 inches wider than the previous small Bronco, and quite a bit more comfortable. As with all Broncos for the U.S. market, they only came in a two-door body style with a rear hatch, which some call a three-door body style. You can see how solid this example looks and that faded paint has taken on an interesting look.
The seller says that this 4×4 was bought new in Columbus, Montana, and went on to live most of its life in Wyoming. The seller has provided a ton of great photos and even a link here on Flickr with 63 more. Not to mention two YouTube videos, here and here. Well done! The front seat could use some help but overall, it looks nice inside – although they mention a few dash cracks under the pad. The back seat looks like new and the rear cargo area looks good, but could use some new rubber flooring. The fun part is that four-speed manual transmission.
The engine should be Ford’s 351-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been factory-rated at 157 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It has a hotter cam, intake, and carb so it’s most likely sitting above those power numbers now, and the seller says it runs great, it shifts through the gears as it should, and the 4×4 system operates great. All things being equal: first-generation Bronco or second-generation Bronco?
Looks exactly as an old Western truck should. 🤝 👢
Has a ’79 front end, 78s had round headlights.
Good catch S. Jay Hurd. Wondering if Rectangle Sealed beams an option or trim package addition. Built Feb 78. Maybe production change. I think in those days new year model introductions were still in the Fall of year before. Just some thoughts here.
Not sure the date they changed, but early 78s had round, later 78s had the rectangular.
S. Jay, Richard, and Dana: round headlights only came on the Custom trim level 1978 Broncos. Ranger and Ranger/XLT models had rectangular headlights. They were all rectangular in 1979 even Custom-level Broncos. Disclaimer: some sources say that 1979 fleet vehicles had round headlights.
You may be right in this being a 1979 model as it’s a Custom, which would have had round headlights in 1978 but rectangular headlights in 1979! That’s the problem with a seller not providing a VIN.
You’re partly correct. We had a 78 Bronco custom with round headlights. But if you moved up to the XLT, you automatically got square headlights.
Rectangle headlights where option on 78.
I have two 78 late year model ford trucks that came with the square headlamps.
Had two 78’s. All that Blue with white glass top, Auto. Totaled, parked at work by higher than a kite tractor trailer driver. I was second owner in my town. Other was Green n White scheme like this one, 4 speed. LOVED THEM! I’m so tempted on this, but sitting here with a 65 F-100 (just bought to be my daily driver) and a 66 F-250, have had for 27 year’s, that are going to be passed on to Kid’s n Grand Kid’s when I’m gone.
Auction update: this Bronco sold for $13,900!
What a Steal!!!
Tough rigs. My son had one, really wrungit out Even tried to swim it in a 6 ft lake inlet one night. Handyman up to break the mud suction, and drove it out. Wish I had that or this one.
The blue paint on the 79 front clip doesn’t match the 78 doors
You may have nailed it, Rex! I noticed the paint difference and didn’t think that it could be a different year front clip, I just thought maybe it had been painted at some point.
I noticed the front end also. I believe the front end has has been involved in a minor accident?
The darker blue on the ds front fender, the brown paint on the ps fender, and also the white is a shade darker on the front end.
I believe someone replaced the front end with used parts? That’s ok though!
A hood with brown trim showing through on the ps was from another vehicle, trimmed in brown. The sun has faded the newer paint off, now the original brown is showing through again. I like the fact that they used a Ford fender rather than a Chinese one.
I like the original interior being left alone, with the normal wear and tear showing. You can see how it really is. It would have to be changed anyway.
It appears to be a really good start on something that can be made into a very desirable vehicle.
Broncos are hot now. There seems to be a recent comeback in Broncos. Perhaps because Ford started making them again? Who knows?
I’m sure the new owner is elated to get this vehicle for $12k dollars?
Just my oponion!