One of the most interesting aspects of this great hobby is the speculation on the values of these great cars as time progresses. Up for auction here on eBay is a great example of this. This 1969 Ford Bronco is located in Duluth, MN, at no reserve. At the time of writing, it was only up to $3100. This truck is rough and rusty, but complete with some nice factory features. But will the condition keep this truck out of the 5-digit price range? Or are Gen1 Broncos still a blue chip buy?
There is no doubt that Ford got the Bronco’s design right in 1966. Why is this true? Because it appeals to such a wide range of clientele. From the design houses of Madison Avenue to the off-road shops on the West Coast, the Gen 1 Bronco appeals to those looking for a rough-and-tumble mode of transportation. Certain vehicles exude a level of cool like Steve McQueen, and the Gen 1 Bronco is one of them. The used-car market was always kind to Broncos, but Covid pushed them into the unobtanium realm alongside early air-cooled Porsches.
First off, we have to give kudos to chaddy231 for his ad. There are a ton of good pictures and a good description, including the Marti report. But these pictures show us a rough truck. Every panel looks to have some form of rust, and the frame and underbody are rusty as well. Can these be fixed? Absolutely, but it would be difficult for a less desirable car to realise $1000 in this condition. However, we all know that because it is an early Bronco, the price will be significantly inflated.
Personal sidenote- I had a deal with my grandparents as a kid: if I got good grades throughout elementary and high school, they would match whatever I saved for the purchase of my first car. I wanted a CJ-7. But one day, while doing my chores at home, I heard a horn honk and the rumble of a V8 as it pulled into the carport. My grandpa had just pulled up in a 1970 Ford Bronco 2-owner Sport with a Mustang GT 302 installed by the last owner, who worked at the local Ford dealership. This was in the Spring of 1994, and this rig cost us $5k. It was in immaculate condition, and that truck is a major reason why I am here writing these articles today. So, I’ve always kept a close eye on the market for these Broncos in hopes of one day being able to capture that bit of magic I had as a teenager terrorising the streets, desert, and mountains of AZ in that old Bronco. Here’s hoping the market for these comes back to earth one of these days!
One of the best liteweight snowplow vehicles. Served many so well.
5 digit sales figure? It’s lucky it’s 4-figures. This poor old thing has served faithfully for many years. Time to take it behind the shed and put ‘er down.
Kudos to the seller for a good array of high-quality photos. Thanks Dusty, your write-up came to life with the inclusion of the personal sidenote.
Thank you, Bob!
Perhaps our paths crossed somewhere along the way – I’ve been driving my Bronco in the deserts and mountains of AZ for the past 44 years. Might head out again tomorrow in it if the rain lets up!
I see these and remember them as the ones I let go. Never knew they would become a license to print money. Had two. One with plow and 6 cylinder. The other with plow and 302. Both purchased for 675 and 750 dollars. Both sold because I just didn’t want to take them when I was moving. Was 1987. Who knew. Now I just look. Love them. Can’t afford a restored one.
I have always liked this style of Bronco but the fact they rusted even in the dryer climate this one in the rust belt makes me afraid to bid its to far to go see it in person and make a offer that would make them cancel the evil bay add good luck to the seller
Here is an honest seller. Check out the eBay ad with a few more photos. It’s selling tomorrow. I am curious to see the final winning bid as were many others. The seller says that this is perfect for a re-body since the frame is solid. Or just get it running and driving and use on a ranch? Haven’t we seen worse trucks at a higher price? I kind of like the rough appearance. There is the same speedometer and cluster as on my 66 F-100 base model pickup. Someone unfortunately hacked out the original radio mount to a rectangle, same as previous owner did to my truck.
yes, bronk was #1 priced @ March/May ’20. It fell to 22? 3? that spring as Jeep top of heep. Prices keep sliding cept the retro ‘better’n new’ being made now (150K$ I saw) either restored or created from skratch.
This 1 shows signs of “not ’69” & ‘’66-9. Yup “…appeals to such a wide range of clientele. From the design houses of Madison Avenue to the off-road shops on the West Coast, …” I C em in movies and in the vid & hard copy adds. Guys I no get a nice fee for their loan. Mine would only show asa work vehicle or a dare devil in the high rocks…
Restoring these now is about as hot as doing a Charger R/T. As we know, those Mopar rusted out hulks go for obscene money, so logically these should too.
It’s currently at a bot over 3K with 27 hours to go, sounds like a bargain.
Yeah, this one, if the frame is good, is a candidate for a new body and a total rebuild.
Dusty – thanks for sharing the personal side note. It’s always interesting to me to read about how other people got into the hobby.
Sold for $4,950. Good deal I think with many bids. Get it running and driving first. Go from there