UPDATE – This 1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT is listed for sale again after it was featured last December here on Barn Finds. It’s posted again, here on eBay  It previously “sold” for $40,100, but the sale must have fallen through as it’s listed by the same seller again in Huntsville, Texas. The current bid price is $19,500 with three days left on the auction. Will it sell this time?

FROM 12/01/2024 – It is no secret that Ford’s First Generation Bronco never achieved the sales success the company envisaged. However, that changed dramatically when its replacement hit showroom floors for the 1978 model year. It proved a runaway success, cementing the badge’s place in Ford’s model lineup. Our feature Bronco is a first-year Ranger XLT. It presents well as a tidy survivor, while its engine bay houses the range-topping 400ci V8. The seller has listed the Bronco here on eBay in Huntsville, Texas. Intense bidding has pushed the price to $28,100, which is below the reserve.

It is undeniable that the First Generation Bronco’s styling looked dated by the time the final vehicles rolled off the line. Its replacement only graced showroom floors for two years, but its appearance had an immediate impact, finding favor with buyers in unprecedented numbers. What makes this more fascinating is that while many manufacturers during this period focused on making their latest models smaller and more efficient, Ford headed in the opposite direction with the Bronco. The Second Generation was longer, wider, and heavier than its predecessor, and the available engines were the largest offered to that point. The first owner ordered this Ranger XLT in Raven Black, and its presentation is clean and tidy. The seller admits there are minor flaws and marks, but these don’t lessen this vehicle’s visual impact. The panels are straight, and as a dry-climate survivor, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The glass is crystal clear, and the sparkling trim perfectly contrasts the dark paint shade.

The seller supplies no engine photos, confirming that this Bronco features the range-topping 400 V8, teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. That brings me to a point to ponder. The alternative to the 400 was the entry-level 351M, and I have often wondered whether there were any genuinely compelling reasons why buyers selected the larger motor. There was little to separate the pair when focusing on power and torque figures, and with both V8s offering peak performance in the same rev range, acceleration, and top speed were inseparable. However, buyers were still focused on the “bigger is better” philosophy in 1978, which helps to explain why the larger engine was a popular choice. The seller states that apart from an aluminum radiator, this classic is mechanically original. The driveshaft, brakes, and shocks received recent attention, making this a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.

There’s a lot to like about this Bronco’s interior, and little justifying criticism. The all-black theme set by its exterior is continued inside, with the upholstered surfaces featuring that shade in cloth and vinyl. There is no appreciable wear, the carpet is excellent, and the faux woodgrain shows no evidence of deterioration. The dash and pad could be the highlights because they haven’t succumbed to the harsh Texas sun. The first owner equipped this classic with ice-cold air conditioning and cruise control, and the seller added a more modern stereo.

The 1974 model year was the most successful for Ford’s First Generation Bronco, with 25,824 people giving one a home. The company must have almost turned cartwheels at the end of 1978, with the latest version finding an impressive 77,917 buyers. The following year would be even better, confirming the fact that the Bronco was firmly established in the market. Our feature Ranger XLT is a tidy survivor, and its condition makes the thirty-seven submitted bids understandable. I believe the tally and price will climb, but what would you be prepared to pay for this classic?