Ford introduced the Bronco in 1966 to compete with the CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. That made it the company’s first SUV (even before the term was coined for Sport Utility Vehicle). It had a successful run until 1996 and was resurrected in 2021 as a “crossover”. The seller has a 1972 edition in the U15 format, i.e., a fully enclosed model categorized as a wagon. It looks to be original and complete, ready for the next adventure. Thanks for another great tip, T.J.!
For its entire first outing, the Bronco was produced alongside Ford pickups at their Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan. All Bronco’s came equipped with four-wheel-drive (said to simplify production) and a “shift-on-the-fly” transfer case and locking hubs were a part of the package. First-generation sales peaked in 1974 at 25,800 units (oddly when fuel prices were soaring thanks to OPEC), with 1972 coming in at 21,100 copies.
We’re told the seller’s ’72 Bronco comes in a rare color combination (without further explanation). It’s never been modified or “cut up” but the amount of use is undisclosed. The reported odometer reading of “111” could mean 111,000 miles, which the overall condition of the vehicle tends to support. It’s said to be in “excellent” condition, but the status of the paint is more like “fair.” The interior looks nicer.
U15 was an enclosed variation of the SUV whereas U14 was more like a pickup with a topper on the back. We’re told the 302 cubic inch V8 under the hood is numbers matching and looks to have had some bling added. The vehicle runs well and comes with some extra parts (as we’re told). These earlier Bronco’s seem to fetch high dollars and this one is no exception. It’s in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is available here on craigslist for $43,000.
Bronco’s in this condition were $2,000 dollars, back in the 90’s. Now? You can get a new base Mustang GT for a couple more grand than the ask on this one. Unbeefrickinlievable.
Not original. Transmission modified to be a floor shift and transfer case modified to be a twin-stick.
Looks like #4 condition, even if it runs well, can’t go for the asked money I think. For that reason, I like the other one, that is here today as well, in the falling apart condition.
Crappy paint, floor pans look like replacements, modifications to fuel system, missing door panels,,,,,,all for only $43K?
Not. Another Barret Jackson syndrome seller.
I think we’re all pretty much in the same gear on these. It only shows how out of whack this is becoming. Can’t shoot the piano player, Barn Finds, but they aren’t helping, almost seemingly approving of this madness with postings like this. I can’t think of a more unworthy vehicle to be exploited than the 1st gen Bronco. History has shown these flash in the pans have a short fling that usually fizzles out. Big Healeys, FJ Toyotas, rusted Mopars, all take their turn, sellers desperately trying to cash in before it goes bust. No sense in picking it apart, these people have an illness, that they feel can only be cured with more money. An illness that is gaining steam, sadly. And the really amazing part, is people are feeding into this foolishness. Someday in the near future, philosophers will have a field day describing how our society went awry, and why people threw, what I consider such large amounts of money into this baloney. I understand, kind of, that it’s their money and the freedom to spend it anyway they like, and that’s cool, it’s just the amounts are what is disturbing. Most of us here could think of a dozen better ways to spend $50grand, than a rusty Bronco.
It’s like the Dutch tulips. Eventually it will crash, and some of us will clean up on some nice, over-restored cars.