While Ford Broncos have been hot collectors items for seemingly decades, the reincarnation – the first one, that is – known as the Bronco II has never been much of a darling of Ford truck collectors. I suppose it’s because like all things wherein a classic nameplate is recalled in the recreated product, the bar to clear is impossibly high. So when Ford fans saw this tiny off-roader with the iconic namp spelled out across the spare tire cover, there had to be some disappointed sighs in the room. Still, time heals all wounds, and given the scarcity of a good Bronco II these days, they’re becoming more popular to snatch up when in the sort of condition that this loaded Eddie Bauer edition here on eBay is in. Bidding is up to $12,000 with the reserve unmet.
The Bronco II suffered a number of embarrassments as a result of a Consumer Reports analysis that determined the truck had a high rollover rate and a very real chance of death if you happened to be unluckly enough to be riding in a Bronco when it went ass over teakettle. The Suzuki Samurai suffered a similar fate at the hands of the infamous consumer advocacy group, which sometimes just seems to be worried about extremely remote possibilities that are significantly enhanced by bad drivers with little in the way of useful reflexes. In other words, yes – the Bronco, like any other SUV, has a higher center of gravity than a passenger car, and you’re more likely to roll the sucker if you can’t manage to change lanes safely in a panic situation.
It’s too bad, because the Bronco II, by most accounts, was a very decent little truck. It was comfortable, attractive, and endlessly useful for anyone who needed a 4×4 but didn’t want the size impediments of a full-size Bronco or Chevy Blazer. The packaging earned the company numerous plaudits from the motoring press, but the Consumer Reports controversy greatly overshadowed the achievements of the mini trucklet. The interior of this example is in fantastic condition, with a sharp cloth upholstery pattern that is straight out of the 1980s but still very sharp today. This example has under 100,000 original miles and it shows, but no word on whether the A/C works.
The Bronco II was powered by a 2.9L V6 paired to an automatic transmission, a respectable combination and certainly enough to drag around the compact truck. The seller claims the previous owner loved his Bronco II dearly, as it was garaged every night and apparently didn’t see big mileage racked up in any of the years he owned it. That individual was a longtime first owner, only selling it in May of this year to the current caretaker. That type of long-term ownership doesn’t happen much with a truck like this, that is inherently interesting but not necessarily a collectible – yet. With the new Bronco poised to become a sales leader, now’s a good time to sell that Bronco taking up space in the garage.
It’s nice, but how in the world is this worth more than $12,000? These are among the most bland and boring rides of the 1980’s. I hope that any one, of the many, who like to complain about the prices of first generation Broncos can help explain the draw. Condition alone doesn’t explain the high bid, there are plenty of cars from the late-1980’s in a similar state of preservation which sell for a fraction of the price.
Steve R
“It’s nice, but how in the world is this worth more than $12,000?”
In a word: BRONCO
Bronco II. Not a real Bronco, more like 1/2 Bronco. My brother bought one new in ’89 and they ride rougher than a regular Bronco. $12K? There is a butt for every seat.
I had one, an 1985 Eddie Bauer in dark blue with the tan around the bottom and the tan interior. It was a sharp little rig, I liked it. I think it was fine for its place and time. This one looks in great shape. Like many other trucks or SUV’s of this era, they have really caught on in the collector market. I’m not particularly surprised at the strong bidding, given its condition.
Jeff, good discussion of the Consumer Reports situation. As I was reading your write-up, a thought hit me: maybe Consumer Reports was ahead of its time. Fast forward to today, and place it in another medium, we might call it “clickbait.”
My extended family owned many of these between 1983 and the end of production. Build quality and reliability varied widely. Our early 1984 model was a mess. It suffered with starting problems that could never be diagnosed, and the paint peeled within a few years. My grandfather’s ’88 was bulletproof, on the other hand.
I had a 1987 in two tone silver w red cloth and a stick. Loved it. However, that experience also allows me to say that this is only worth $12k with a golf bar in the console.
Golf? I meant GOLD. Too many rounds at elevation this year.
This is in exquisite condition – not many left like this one. I always liked the 89-90 iterations better with the better looking front end on it too. The 2.9 had head problems – hope this one has not been afflicted.
My Dad owned a 1984 Bronco II with the manual transmission. On wet or icy road surfaces, it was indeed a handful to drive. But in snow, with the 4×4 engaged, it stabilized very well.
This is a nice looking bronco II. It would make a great small town get around to the store driver. Not much more than that. Should be no more than 8k on a good day, but it says bronco on it.
I traded an 88 Mustang GT for an 89 Bronco II XLT 2WD with a 5 speed. The Mustang would just shut off arbitrarily and in dangerous situations and for no good reason. The dealer had it in the shop for weeks, declared it fixed, and it died it on the way home. I had it towed back to the dealer and traded it in…
I put 175,000 issue free highway miles on that little truck, and it was a blast to drive. Even in snow I never missed not having 4WD. I believe to this day that had the tightest turning radius of any car or truck I’ve owned. I rarely see one on the road, and if I do, it is rusted to death or jacked up into orbit. I wouldn’t buy another… but I have fond memories of it. And I still have the 93 Ranger that I got when I traded in the Bronco II!
I never owned, but drove 3 or 4 of them, all automatics ,and the one constant with them was they always sounded and felt like they were high revving as if they were in a lower gear than they were supposed to be for the speed they were traveling.
I had one too!! It was a short wheelbase 4X4 and it went anywhere I ever asked it to go!! It wasn’t at all like my first generation bronco and probably as far as you could get from one!! I don’t remember what year it was but we traded it for an explorer just because our family was growing and we needed a four door!!
This is a XLT pkg. Bronco II and NOT an Eddie Bauer. The owner is misrepresenting it on E-Bay (which seems shady when you would expect someone with that username would know the difference).
My first car in high school was an 89 Bronco II 4×4, 2.9L with a 5 speed. Two tone navy and silver. It was great fun off road. That little truck would go anywhere. Sadly, it died when I drove it thru a 3 foot deep puddle. The engine stalled, it sucked water up the tail pipe and locked up the engine.
I would love to have another one some day for nostalgias sake, but not for $12k with an auto trans.
I bought one if these for my exwife back around 2003 or so. That engine made all sorts of lifter noise & blew blue smoke. It rode like a blender. I hated it almost as much as I hated her lol. I paid $250.00 for it, & felt like I got screwed. $12,000 for this one? Absolutely not!