Determining which vehicles will become desirable classics in fifty years is a “crystal ball” exercise. Some candidates, like the Corvette, Camaro, and Mustang, are obvious choices. However, if you had told a Bronco owner in 1973 that their new toy would command a healthy five-figure value in 2023, they probably would have locked you up and thrown away the key! However, the seemingly impossible has happened, and even rusty examples like our feature Bronco fall into that category. It is an unmolested vehicle that features a V8 under the hood. Its rust issues are significant, but that hasn’t stifled the bidding since the seller listed it here on eBay in Cambridge, Minnesota. The price has soared to $16,100 in a No Reserve auction.

So, where to start with this Bronco? Its original owner ordered it in Tampico Yellow, although the paint is faded and tired. However, rectifying that problem is small change compared to the rust repairs the winning bidder faces. The tin worm has sunk its teeth into the areas we have grown to know and love in First Generation Broncos. The rockers resemble Swiss cheese, the floors are rotten, and the pillars exhibit significant problems. It appears the inner front fender wells are succumbing, and there may be issues developing where the top meets the body. However, there are positive attributes worth considering. The frame appears to wear nothing but surface corrosion. The doors, front fenders, rear quarter panels, and hood look okay, and nobody has cut the wheel arches to accommodate large wheels. My only other qualm with this Bronco is the fit of the doors. Both look slightly odd, but the driver’s side seems particularly strange. Determining what is going on is challenging, but the last photo in this article shows it sitting at a weird angle with odd gaps. It may indicate the bodyshell is twisted, and rectifying a potential fault of that magnitude is a task that is typically beyond the average enthusiast. The Bronco retains its factory wheels and hubcaps, and the remaining trim looks restorable. There are no glass issues in a classic that raises as many questions as it answers.

This classic’s drivetrain is standard fare for a 1973 Bronco. The buyer receives a 302ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and power steering. There has long been debate about the merits of buyers selecting the optional V8 over the Bronco’s entry-level 200ci six, and it is worth examining. The 200 delivers 84hp and 151 ft/lbs of torque, while the V8 lifts those figures to 137hp and 230 ft/lbs. Both produce their power and torque at about the same spot in the engine’s rev range, but the V8 (naturally) offers better acceleration and a more effortless open-road motoring experience. Therefore, the larger motor would seem a clear and decisive winner. However, the six provides a couple of advantages worth considering. The V8 brings a 200 lb weight penalty, with most of that additional mass hanging over the front axle. Without power steering, maneuvering in tight spaces is physically demanding. This is less of a problem with the 200ci powerplant. The smaller engine also uses 20% less fuel than its V8 sibling, which probably doesn’t seem like a big deal…until you’ve delved deep into the wilderness and realized the fuel gauge is falling perilously close to the “Empty” mark. Therefore, it is generally a “swings and roundabouts” situation where each engine has distinct advantages in certain circumstances. The seller states this Bronco runs and yard drives, but it isn’t genuinely roadworthy. The sound engineering employed by Ford when developing the Bronco means that achieving a mechanically roadworthy state is unlikely to be complicated or expensive, but I suspect that getting the body structurally sound will be the priority.

.This Bronco’s interior is complete, and the only visible change or aftermarket addition is the radio/cassette player occupying the spot reserved for the factory AM radio. The shifter is in its rightful place on the column, but everything needs an enormous dose of love to return to its former glory. Interior trim kits in the correct materials and colors are available, and that is one of the characteristics that make these classics satisfying project candidates. A complete kit to achieve a factory-fresh appearance will cost approximately $2,200. That seems like a reasonable investment, but it would be wise when we consider the Bronco’s potential value.

Although Bronco values have taken a hit over the past year, they continue to enjoy strong support in the classic market. If the new owner restored this 1973 example to a pristine factory state, a value of $70,000 should be within reach. It will cost a pretty penny to reach that point, and the specter of the potentially twisted bodyshell is hanging over its head. Sometimes investing in a classic project involves risk, but is it one you would take in this case? It will be interesting to gauge your thoughts.