This 1971 Ford Bronco is an unmolested field find that could represent an excellent project candidate for the right person. It requires total restoration, but everything is there for someone to return this classic to its former glory. Alternatively, it would be an ideal foundation for a custom build, allowing the new owner to slot in a more powerful engine and larger wheels to create a genuine off-road beast. It seems that people can see the potential it possesses because the auction action has been quite intense.

I may be alone on this front, but I’ve always been fascinated by how certain paint shades are inextricably linked with a particular marque or model. Starlight Black, for example, looks right at home on a Pontiac Trans Am. Similarly, Candy Apple Red is one of Ford’s iconic colors. The first owner teamed that with the typical Wimbledon White when ordering this ’71 Bronco, and it would have looked pretty attractive in its prime. Those days may seem far behind this classic, having spent years languishing in an Oklahoma field. However, the Bronco is far from a lost cause. There are typical rust issues with the floors and one rocker, but the critical areas like the frame and remaining lower body extremities appear sound. The photos are inconclusive when we focus on the front inner fender wells, but given they are one of the First Generation Bronco’s most vulnerable areas, I wouldn’t be surprised if they require work. The winning bidder will undoubtedly tackle the build as a frame-off to guarantee the vehicle is rust-free before grabbing the spray gun, and that approach would be worthwhile. That will allow the opportunity to address the minor panel bumps and bruises, and to replace items like the perished seals and rubbers.

It is best to consider this Bronco as the entry-level version. The first owner passed on the optional 302ci V8, equipping this classic with the 170ci six. It is still a respectable performer, sending 100hp and 148 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The originality of this classic appears to include its drivetrain, which is claimed to be numbers-matching. It is unclear when it last saw active service, but appearance suggests we can measure the time frame in years. The seller hasn’t attempted a revival but confirms that the six turns freely. They recently fitted new tires, so rolling this classic onto a trailer to take it home won’t involve much effort.

The interior shots in the seller’s listing are sadly lacking, but allow us to draw some relatively safe conclusions. The first is that a retrim will form part of the build, while the second is that this interior appears to be largely unmolested. Swapping the shifter from the column to the floor is a common conversion, but this one remains in its rightful place. We can’t see the dash, so it is impossible to determine whether it has been cut to accommodate an aftermarket radio or stereo. However, the gauges and switches are intact, and the impression is that it isn’t missing any crucial components.

The seller listed this 1971 Ford Bronco here on eBay in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It seems to tick the boxes for potential buyers, with forty-five bids pushing the price beyond the reserve to $11,000. There is plenty of time remaining on the auction, allowing scope for the price to climb considerably higher. I wouldn’t rule that out, because plenty of people seem intent on taking it home. Are you one of them, or will you sit back as an interested observer?