The seller says this 1977 Ford Bronco is a barn find, and they also say “All original frame on restoration,” which I’m assuming means original spec. There are a couple of modifications, but looks-wise, this Bronco looks fantastic, and finding one with uncut rear wheel wells is like finding gold. They have it posted here on craigslist in Menlo Park, California, and they’re asking $49,500. Here is the original listing.
I know, $50k for an old Bronco, but that’s the way things have evolved over the last couple of decades. If you think that’s bad, the average price of a home in Menlo Park, California is $2,860,000. $50k for an old SUV is 2% of the average house price there, or basically nothing. The median price of a home there is $3,300,000, as in, the average price between the lowest and the highest value. $26,500,000 was the most expensive home sold there, and that was back in 2022. Enough of that, just some interesting numbers to kick around while we’re lamenting how much old Broncos sell for now compared to a couple of decades ago.
The first-generation Bronco was made from 1966 through the 1977 model years, so, from the last Studebaker factory closing, and the Flintstones airing their final episode, to the first Star Wars movie and the first Apple II computer. That’s quite a range. This example looks incredibly nice. Other than having a small dent on the leading edge of the right front fender, I don’t see any other body issues. The seller doesn’t mention the body condition, but the underside has been treated and coated, along with some modern suspension bits.
Woodgrain! This isn’t an early Bronco; this was the last year of the first generation, and there were several models. One of you Bronco experts will know which model this is, if it isn’t a “base” model. The dash pad is a bit worrisome, but if you can’t find parts for this Bronco, you aren’t trying too hard. The front seat inserts appear to have been redone, but the back seat looks like it could be original.
The seller says the original 302-cu.in. OHV V8 has been rebuilt, and it would have had just over 200 horsepower, and this one is backed by a column-shifted automatic sending power to all four wheels as needed. The seller says they’re the third owner and everything works great, and it runs and drives as it should. I don’t see 302 V8 emblems on the front fenders, but maybe not every 302-equipped Bronco had those? Any thoughts on this Bronco?
Not inexpensive, but not a total mess like you see for sale. It might find a buyer depending how negotiable the seller is. It would be easy to do worse than this one.
Steve R
Looks a little top heavy..
If you spend some time on CL looking at the photos you can see that this vehicle “appears” to be well preserved and tastefully done. The underside looks exceptionally well kept even with the modifications done to it which are minimal. I’m not sure I would spend $50K but this is a very nice truck for sure. Heavily modified Broncos are going for 3 times this amount on the auction circuit so this seems like a fair asking price. Throw some AC in there and some other pieces so that you can use the vehicle on a daily basis and save a few dollars.