From a sales perspective, 1967 wasn’t a banner year for the Ford Bronco. The company only managed to sell 14,230 examples, representing a massive 40% drop compared to 1966. However, a vehicle that didn’t capture the buying public’s heart in 1967 has become a desirable classic today, and good examples can command some impressive sale prices. This Bronco is a complete classic, and it features the optional V8 under the hood. It runs and drives, but it needs someone to breathe some new life into its body and interior. For those interested in taking it on, you will find the Bronco located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and listed for sale here on eBay. Strong bidding action has pushed the price to $7,100, but this remains short of the reserve.

It appears that this Bronco has led quite a life. When you examine the supplied photos, there is virtually no evidence of the Holly Green paint that used to grace its panels. Someone has performed a color change at some point, and this has extended to all aspects of the car except for the engine bay. It is typical of Broncos of this age to have had their fenders cut to accommodate larger wheels and tires, and this vehicle is no exception. This is a shame for any buyers who might be aiming for a faithful restoration, but it isn’t the end of the world. Replacement steel for these areas is readily available, and it is surprisingly affordable. It is no surprise that this Bronco also has some rust issues to address, and it has impacted all of the usual places. These areas include the floors and rockers, but the doors and the front fenders look surprisingly good. One of the great rust traps with these classics is the front inner fenders. Mud and other icky stuff packs into these areas, and all you need to do is forget to clean them, and rust will soon appear. This one is not immune, but $130 will secure a replacement section for each side. Yes, there’s a lot of work here, but when you look at the prices these 1st Generation Broncos now command, it could be worth the effort and expense to complete the job correctly.

Hmm, nice roll bar. Or is it a water pipe or a length of scaffolding steel? Whatever it is, it definitely wasn’t offered by Ford as an optional extra. The roll cage that someone has installed extends back to the rear wheel housings, and while it might provide adequate protection if the vehicle goes shiny-side down, you can’t help but think that it would also be the cause of many bruises for front-seat occupants when the going gets rough. That would need to go, and while the rest of the interior is complete, it will require a full restoration if it is to be returned to an acceptable standard. Once again, parts abound for this area of the Bronco, and interior trim kits are easy to find. If the buyer is willing to perform some basic metal preparation and repainting work, $1,600 will secure a trim kit that would have the inside of the Bronco looking factory fresh once again.

If we turn our attention to the Bronco’s drivetrain, there’s plenty for potential buyers to cheer about. The original owner ordered this vehicle with the optional 289ci V8 and a 3-speed manual transmission. While the V8 did add some weight to the Bronco compared to the 170ci six that was the standard motor, it did offer some practical advantages. The shorter overall length of the 289 moved the engine’s weight further back in the Bronco, which improved its overall balance. The V8 also produced 200hp and 282 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures represented an increase of 95hp and an incredible 124 ft/lbs of torque over the smaller motor. While it might have made some difference to performance on the open road, that extra torque made itself known when the going got tough. It allowed the V8-equipped Bronco to tackle harsh terrain more effortlessly, and it’s easy to see why buyers tended to prefer the V8 when they ordered these classics when they were new. This Bronco runs and drives. The motor runs well, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the 4-wheel-drive system works as it should. It will need some work before it could be considered roadworthy, but the buyer will be commencing that process with a solid foundation.

The 1967 Ford Bronco was largely ignored when new, but enthusiasts don’t ignore them today. You will battle to find a respectable unmodified example for under $40,000, while pristine examples regularly sell for prices of twice that figure. This one is a long way short of that sort of state, but there’s no reason why it couldn’t be returned to its former glory. It’s also worth noting that values continue to climb steadily, so affordable project cars will become harder to find with each passing year. If you do fancy allowing a 1967 Bronco into your life, you might have to act soon before they climb out of the financial reach of most potential buyers. That is a good enough reason to watch this auction closely.