Certain segments of the classic scene can prove unpredictable, making it difficult for speculators to choose the right vehicle to preserve as a long-term investment. Take the First Generation Bronco as a prime example. Calling these off-roaders unloved when new may seem a bit harsh, but there’s no arguing that they didn’t sell in the volumes Ford had hoped. Wind forward five decades, and the Bronco is one of the strongest performers in the current market. Even the rustiest examples can command mind-numbing prices as project builds. When a solid, original, and unmolested example like our feature 1971 Bronco emerges, bidders need to prepare for a wild ride if they’re serious about parking the 4×4 in their garage. Located in Fullerton, Nebraska, you will find this fearless Ford listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has soared to $40,100, although this is short of the reserve.
The 1971 model year was not a banner one for the Bronco, but it was far from the worst, with 19,784 buyers willingly handing over their cash to park one in their driveway. What few buyers knew at the time was that the Bronco had a significant flaw that would emerge in the coming years to cause sleepless nights. The Bronco is an off-roader that can give rust a bad name. The company’s anti-corrosion measures were less than brilliant, and it is common to see examples today with significant panel issues, dissolving floors, and front inner fenders looking like Swiss cheese. Our feature car has avoided most of these issues, partly due to spending most of its life in drier locations. The seller admits to repairing rust in the outer rockers and inner fenders, but there are a couple of small spots in the driver’s kick panel and the front passenger floor awaiting patching or repair. They also repainted the repaired areas, but most of this classic’s Candy Apple Red is as it left the factory. It is faded and patchy in a few spots, but the coverage and decent shine may prompt the buyer to leave the exterior largely untouched. It is common to see these classics with wheel arches cut to accommodate larger wheels and tires, but this Bronco hasn’t suffered that fate. The original wheels and hubcaps look excellent, the same is true of the trim, and the glass appears flawless.
When the seller located the Bronco, it had been sitting in storage for twenty-one years. As part of the revival process, he treated it to new interior trim. It presents nicely, with no wear or issues with the upholstered surfaces. A rubber mat protects the front floors, but the buyer may decide to spend $330 to give back seat passengers the same luxury. The only other item with a question mark is the dash pad, which is cracked and damaged. Reproduction pads retail for about $345, and with those two items installed, this interior would look fantastic.
Powering this Bronco is Ford’s venerable 302ci V8 that produces 200hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. With a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case, the Bronco is an accomplished off-roader that can also storm the ¼ mile in 17.1 seconds. When the seller unearthed this classic, it had been hiding for twenty-one years. They pushed out the boat to revive it, replacing the entire braking system, rebuilding the carburetor, replacing the fuel lines and hoses, fitting a new exhaust, plus a vast list of other tasks. It was worth the effort because this classic runs and drives well, representing a turnkey classic awaiting a life of adventure. The seller claims that it has a genuine 42,000 miles on its odometer but fails to mention verifying evidence. However, as they seem approachable, they may be willing to answer questions on that subject.
Scanning Ford’s history can be fascinating, especially when it reaches the subject of the First Generation Bronco. The company aimed to sell 50,000 vehicles per year, but at no time did the Bronco come close to that figure. However, the company persisted for two reasons. They developed the Bronco on a tight budget and recouping those development costs came easily. Secondly, by reducing running changes to the bare minimum, even low sale volumes offered a decent return on their investment. The Bronco wouldn’t hit its straps in the market until the Second Generation appeared in 1978, but those initial modest sales totals haven’t stopped early Broncos from developing an almost cult-like following. The reality is the relative rarity has probably helped its cause. Given its overall condition and originality, I’d be surprised if bidding didn’t pass $50,000 for this survivor. This auction is one where I might sit back as an interested spectator. Will you?
Just out of HS (1972) I had a friend, Don, that had this exact truck. 4 wheeling for recreation was unheard of then, these were meant to plow snow, and not much else. Previously, off road was for forest crews and such, hardly recreational. Then these hit the scene, all of a sudden, flying over rocks and bumps was fun, and it took off from these humble beginnings. On my 1st ride, Don asked, want to do some 4 wheeling? Sure, I said. Better buckle your seatbelt, he said. Big macho man that I was, Nah, I’m good. Lock the hubs, and off we go. In 10 seconds, I found out why they call them “Broncos”, the 2nd time I hit my head on the roof,,,I buckled the belt.
I remember, these had real small gas tanks, and very poor mileage( hence the 2 tanks) rode terrible, poor heaters, uncomfortable, and noisy, hardly caring about 1/4 mile times, but for bouncing over rough terrain, and boy howdy, we got that out here, nothing except a new ATV is better.You won’t kill it, that’s for sure. And guess what, precious memories aside,,I couldn’t care less what they’re asking for it, all BS anyway.
Rare to see one not all clapped out or molested with a sawzall. I bet the reserve is somewhere north of 55k…which seems crazy to me but I understand
“…Will you?…”
naw, stopped that in the early 90s when the prices soared (due to the net).
This one is well restored (cept for under hood & paint there, accessories, remount of 1 or both rearviews, a bit or piece here’n there). Nice w/the tire carrier and aux tank. I trashed the dash on the 3 or 4 I rest0mod/sold back then. Also put the ‘windshield knobs’ on so the windshield flipped on all yrs. I like this w/the bronk as the other co’s suvs lost them in their later yrs.
This one is “a good place to go next level” w/soft top, swap-out dors’n any off rd mods (or others) you’d want. Reason I stopped? entry fee is just too hi for me at today’s prices (net sales and auctions killed that, combine them and fo’gediboudid
Great to see one with out the wheel well openings butchered up, great looking truck but out of my price range, I have 1979 Bronco XLT from California that I paid 6500.00 bucks for in 2014. Have a good day
I just don’t get it. What is it about these vehicles that attracts such high prices. Now I do watch an old tv show where the county agent drives one of these, but he’s kind of goofy anyway, anybody watch “Green Acres”? Well this is probably one of the nicest ones I’ve seen in a long time, but come on it doesn’t offer much other than it’s a Bronco. Who would have guessed these things would be worth hanging onto? Certainly not me. I’m a watcher, so we’ll see what it brings and wait another year or two to see the bottom fall out or go through the roof.
God Bless America
Hi John, thanks for the Green Acres comment. I figured people are tiring of my constant reference to TV shows. I guess those people just don’t realize how big TV was. It was the #1 way to sell goods. If the car was the shows sponsor, as in Green Acres case, what better way to introduce a new vehicle.
In case some were too young, Green Acres was one of the several offshoots of the show Beverly Hillbillies. The bumbling county farm agent, was Hank Kimball( Alvy Moore) and on the pilot show, ( 1966?) he drove a CJ, but in ’67, he drove the “all new” Bronco( a roadster),. It was the 1st time we saw a Bronco. As far as why they are commanding such ridiculous prices, it only shows how starved the public is for simple things again, and due to the choices today, ( I read new Broncos motors are failing at like 2,000 miles) suddenly, a 50 year old vehicle makes sense again and the vultures are quick to feed into that, as shown here. The really sad part, is people, with good intentions, buy these things without any previous experience, and there HAS to be a shred of remorse.
https://www.imcdb.org/v235308.html
I have seen many sell over $100k at the Mecum auctions, which is just crazy, if we only new back in the day.
We are restoring a 72 Bronco for a customer he will have 40k in the project.
There are 2 first generation Broncos in my little town, both bone stock and reasonably decent shape. Neither one is butchered, just sitting there.
20 years ago? You couldn’t give these things away. I always wanted one, but always had too many cars/ptojects to bother. And, see how a rising tide lifts all old SUV’s! Scouts, Blazers and even big Bronco’s heading through the roof.
Gen 1 Broncos were barely distinguishable from the International Harvester Scout. By the time Ford came out with the Gen 2 model IH left the SUV/pickup market.
May 11 – $52,000. Didn’t sell.
May 14 – $62,500. Didn’t sell.
June 1 – $62,500 with 11 days to go.
There’s something fishy going on here.