After months of looking at barn find Broncos that are half dead, it’s a shock to find one that looks fairly rough but turns out to be a decent runner with minimal body rot. This 1970 Ford Bronco is equipped with a 302 V8 and three-speed manual, and even comes with a clean title. The body is far from perfect and it would appear someone has jacked up the suspension and thrown on some fender flares, so a survivor it is not – but given it is described as a mostly solid truck with a healthy drivetrain, it’s worthy of a closer look here on eBay where bidding is at $11,000 with no reserve.
Doesn’t it seem like most first generation Broncos these days show up with no floors, rotten sills, and cut fenders? That’s why this one is so refreshing despite still being a project. The seller claims there is no serious rot to sort out, with the tailgate being the most rotten body panel likely needing total replacement. Other areas of rust are fairly small in scale, with the seller highlighting its presence in the “….passenger side rear door post and probably some rot behind the rocker panel guards.” Obviously, fresh upholstery will also be on the menu for the next owner, or just throw a blanket over it.
The Bronco is equipped with headers and new cherry bombs, so it should certainly sound pretty meaty when it starts up. There’s no mention of suspension enhancements, but my eyes tell me this rig has a lift kit of sorts (or perhaps just a body lift). The fender flares look good to me, but if you’re a purist, they can probably be removed – provided the fenders weren’t cut up behind them. The rear bumper may be hanging on in decent shape, but the front bumper is long gone – which just means it’s time for a brush guard with some KC Hilites and a winch.
The seller says the 302 sounds strong, a sensation undoubtedly enhanced by the aftermarket exhaust setup. Still, this is a tried and true motor, and given the Bronco has seemingly been kept in running condition despite acquiring the usual bumps, bruises, and mismatched paint over the years that’s fairly of old workhorses, it seems likely past owners have performed the basic upkeep. The seller confirms the frame is in good shape with no rot, not even the typical trouble spots by the gas tank. This Bronco looks like a solid project, and has the benefit of being usable right now while the rough spots are smoothed over.
yup, safety ck then drive’n restore (1st move 2.5 SL, 1.5 BL disc up frnt & return un-cut fenders). The seats R good enuff for just covers, foam looks fine. I might even use that pretend roll bar for the bumpers (can’t see diameter, gauge, etc). If up to snuff it could be frame tied w/additions.
A good base to start with, most of my ‘pieces/parts’ (frank perdue) went on this same yr (5th lowest production numbers in the 12 yr run).
Item location:
Duluth, Minnesota