The 2nd Generation Ford Bronco was a radical departure from its predecessor in terms of appearance. The earlier model had an almost delicate and elegant appearance. Its successor was both bigger and more aggressive. This 1979 Bronco Ranger XLT is a perfect example of these design changes, and it is also a highly optioned survivor. The owner has decided to part with it, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Monument, Colorado, and the bidding has been spirited to this point. This has pushed the price along to $31,100, and with the reserve now met, a new home is beckoning this classic 4×4.

The Bronco is finished in a combination of Dark Jade and Wimbledon White. The vehicle has spent most of its life in sunny California, so it is no surprise that it has never had any rust issues. The paint holds a beautiful shine, with little in the way of apparent flaws. The panels appear to be straight, with no signs of any dings or dents. The original owner chose to order the Bronco fitted with tinted glass. This not only remains original but is free from obvious flaws. The external trim and chrome are all original and presents as well as the rest of the exterior. One notable change has been the fitting of bigger wheels and 33″ tires. These add to the vehicle’s aggressive appearance, and the tires look like they are virtually new.

The presentation of the exterior was merely the entree because the interior is probably even more impressive. The carpet and front seat cover have both been recently replaced. The cover on the rear seat is original and is in as-new condition. The dash appears to be faultless, as is the pad, door trims, and headliner. The faux woodgrain that graces the dash and doors has managed to avoid the tired appearance that can be a problem with vehicles of this age. The reality is that this is an interior that needs very little. The Bronco is fitted with cruise control, but this doesn’t currently operate. So, that’s one item that will require attention. The original radio has made way for a CD player, so whether that stays or goes will be a matter of personal preference. As well as cruise, the Ranger is equipped with air conditioning, power locks, a folding rear seat, and a factory oil pressure gauge and ammeter.

When we delve below the skin, we find that this Bronco is one tough customer. It is fitted with the entry-level 351ci V8. This pumps out 158hp, but more importantly, an impressive 262 ft/lbs of torque. This is all fed via a 3-speed automatic transmission to a Traction-Lok rear end. The dual-range transfer case gives this classic excellent off-road capabilities, which is further enhanced by the limited-slip front axle. Throw in power steering, power brakes, the factory Handling Package, and skid plates, and there isn’t much that will stop this beauty. This is a numbers-matching vehicle, and while the odometer shows around 10,000 miles, the owner candidly states that it has rolled over. The owner says that there are no squeaks or rattles and that the Bronco drives like a dream. Included in the sale are the original Owner’s Manual, Ownercard, Warranty Card, and a Marti Report.

The 2nd Generation Bronco was late to the party. It was scheduled for release in 1974, but the Oil Crisis delayed this. Demand for the new model was enormous, and sales increased by a whopping 400% between the 1977 and the 1978 model years. The 1979 model year set a new sales record, with more than 104,000 vehicles driving off showroom floors. That means that they weren’t a scarce vehicle when new, but finding a spotless example like this today can be a challenge. That helps explain why the bidding has been so strong up to this point and why there could also be a little way to go before the auction ends. This is a listing that could be well worth watching. That is unless you’d rather bid instead.