The resurrection of the Ford Bronco has gone well for the folks working under the blue oval; those retro-styled trucks are everywhere. But if you’re looking for true retro vibes without dropping $50k or more, take a look at this 1987 Ford Bronco XLT for sale in Ripon, Wisconsin for $14,800. Big thanks to Lothar…of the Hill People for the tip, and the original listing can be found here on Facebook Marketplace.
Ford produced around 43,000 full-size “brick nose” Broncos for the 1987 model year, which seems low when compared to today’s SUV-dominated automotive landscape. But, at the time, vehicles like this one were getting squeezed by station wagons and minivans as the top family car pick. The XLT package was a premium option for the ‘87 Bronco, one level down from the top-tier Eddie Bauer edition. Add-ons included chrome trim and expanded color options on the outside, and creature comforts like power windows and locks on the inside. This one looks to be covered in Light Chestnut metallic paired with Colonial White, and appears to be survivor/driver quality.
The seller calls this interior color “Napa Red,” but the interwebs tell me it was called Scarlet Red by the manufacturer. Regardless, it’s definitely red, and it looks to be in pretty good shape for 40 years old. The same goes for the matching carpet throughout. Unfortunately we don’t get an engine pic, but the listing says this Bronco has the 5.0L 302 cu. in. V8 under the hood, which produced 185 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. That power hits the wheels via an automatic transmission, though no information about which one–there were a couple offered in 1987–or if the engine and transmission are original. At 75,000 miles, both should still have plenty of life left, but some homework is definitely in order. The seller also says the car spent a lot of its life in Tennessee and now is in Wisconsin, so the underside needs a close inspection as well.
Additional oil pressure, volt meter, and temperature gauges have been installed, but the wiring setup looks pretty jank, so get more info there, too. The only update on electronics we get is that the a/c is deactivated, but nothing about why or when it last worked. This ‘87 Bronco XLT could probably be left as is and be a solid driver for years to come. It also could be a prime candidate for light restoration to make it into something really special. Which option would you choose?
I will always have a special place in my heart for this version of full-sized Broncos. I worked for GM and consequently lots of Jimmys and Blazers. But with a straight axle and leaf springs they rode like a lumber wagon. My brother bought a ‘78 Bronco and with the straight front axle and coil springs it rode so much better than a Jimmy. So I made a decision to buy a Bronco eventually.
The dealership I worked for fell on hard times and closed in early ‘84. I worked for myself for a year before moving on. But I had a chance to buy a new ‘85 Bronco.
It was an XLT with a 351/C6, A/C. No power house but it did the job. 200K miles before I turned it over to the oldest boy. He continued to drive the wheels off it then sold it to pay off a lawyer and some citations.
I actually thought about taking it back and restoring it. Unfortunately it was resold and left the region. Good things never last.