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Beautiful California Survivor! 1973 Ford Bronco

This beautiful orange 1973 Ford Bronco can be found in Fair Oaks, California, and looks like an amazing survivor. It has un-cut quarter panels, original-style wheels, and tires, along with an amazing original upholstery. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of over $32,000 and the reserve hasn’t been met yet. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of information in the ad regarding the history of the Bronco and what parts are original. Take a look at this one for yourself and you’ll see a great original survivor.

The interior is in remarkable condition. The upholstery and trim colors immediately transport you back to 1973. The front seats, rear seat, and door panels all share a brown/orange color combination, which fits this generation of Bronco really well. I’m guessing the carpet has been replaced recently since it is in very good condition. There’s nothing wrong with driving this ride as-is!

According to the VIN tag, the engine should be a 302 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission. Although there isn’t much information in the ad other than it “runs and drives excellent.” The engine compartment looks fairly stock including the original air cleaner assembly. You can see that the carburetor is very clean indicating it may have been rebuilt or replaced. The seller does indicate there may have been one re-spray of the factory color at some point, but as you can see from the fading, it was probably done quite a while ago.

Overall, this seems like a pretty nice driver/survivor. The strong bidding indicates that at least a few other people feel the same way. I’m not sure what the reserve price is, but the value of these first-generation Broncos continue to be strong. Finding an un-cut survivor like this one gets rarer every day. Hopefully, this one will find a new home and be enjoyed for years to come. Does a nice first-gen Bronco get you excited?

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    To me, that upholstery makes the vehicle. Period-correct interior and exterior colors are very interesting and appealing to me.

    Nice Bronco.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    This is an Explorer model, with Explorer-specific upholstery. Without digging too deep, this looks like a really nice truck!

    Like 5
  3. HoA Howard A Member

    I’ve got a Pinto wagon body I’m thinking of making a 4×4 out of,,,D’OH!

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Chucko

    32K and reserve not met…. seriously?

    This is sort of a ‘tweener’ example; not a true survivor and not restored, making it less desirable still.

    When will the market correct on these? I say soon, particularly given the current economic circumstances. I’ve not noticed a hit on collector car prices yet, but you have to know it is coming and could be steep. I’m staying on the sidelines for now.

    Caveat Emptor! I think the buyer better be ready to marry it or lose 30% on resale.

    I could be wrong of course..

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Guggie 13

    Nice Bronco , back in the day my younger brother and my Dad both had orange and white Broncos , Dads was a 6 cyl with a 4 speed ( only one I ever saw ) and Brothers was V8 auto.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Jimmy

    This is a really nice Bronco but I prefer one that has already had the rear fender opening cut because that is what I would do and I can’t bring myself to do that to a pristine example like this one. Just like I never could drop a Chevy motor in a Ford or vice versa.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Steve Bush Member

    Agree with Chucko about the crazy prices on these. I don’t get their attraction in the first place, especially at $30k plus. Maybe someone can explain it to me.

    Like 0
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Clearly, it’s a nostalgia thing, having something not everyone can have, because it’s not for their engineering. It’s a shortened, period correct truck. Whoever pays this kind of money for these, MUST have buyers remorse after purchase. I’m familiar with these, good friend had one, and they are noisy, rough riding, hot/cold, uncomfortable, iffy handling on pavement, I doubt this truck has seen or WILL see the back trails of Colorado, where it’s rough and slow going, exactly what this was designed for, and people are in for a rude awakening, and possible divorce when the old lady finds out what they spent on this rattletrap. Don’t get me wrong, Ford trucks of this vintage were just the best. Plowing snow ( which is incredibly hard on trucks) or pushing stalled cars, perfect, but if they think they are getting a new Ranger, for about the same price, well, good luck with that.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar TimM

    This is almost the twin of mine!! The only difference mine is a ranger package which came with side trim, duel gas tanks, carpet and rear mounted tire carrier!! This one looks really clean!!!

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Bmac777

    I love these Bronco’s, BUT, 32k and reserve not met is crazy!!

    Like 0
  10. Avatar MARK

    Bronco didn’t sell.Guess the owner got greedy.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    Relisted on eBay at $35k opening bid.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Mark

    Second times a charm right?

    Like 0

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