This 1971 Ford Bronco is a massive project, but first-generation trucks are seemingly all being rescued these days provided there’s still enough good metal that the body holds together. This one may be at the very limit of that threshold, but seeing as it was a one-owner vehicle until just recently when the seller dragged it out of the original caretaker’s barn, it seems worthy of rescuing. The Bronco has a 302 under the hood that still turns freely, and supposedly just under 60,000 original miles. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $5,400, and located in Columbus, Ohio.
The seller notes the Bronco was pulled from the barn of a deceased relative, who was also the original owner. While it still retains the original key, it’s hard to say what else has survived since it went into the barn for its long-term slumber. The body has evidence of fairly significant rot on the doors and lower rear quarters, but given how hard it is to find one of these that hasn’t been cut up for larger wheels and tires and more clearance, the uncut rear sections are worth preserving. The driver’s side is way worst, with the passenger side looking fairly solid. The doors on both sides have issues, and it may extend into the body sill as well.
The seller notes that spare parts are shoved inside, so you may find some goodies (like an old, generic hubcap) if you bring this Bronco home. The listing doesn’t detail what sort of spares are inside the Bronco, but it does provide this photo showing that the truck has some serious clean-up needs and that the driver’s seat will need fresh upholstery; the passenger side may as well, if that object that looks like a driveshaft has punctured the surface. Overall, the interior is likely in better shape than it should be for a truck that’s been sitting so long, but it will still be rewarding to rip all of that junk out of there while keeping an eye out for any rare trim or other bits that have been saved.
Now, to change gears for a second: here’s a first-generation Bronco I found in a local salvage yard here in Rhode Island. I’m trying to convince the owners to release this one from captivity, but no luck yet. Regardless, given the condition of the one for sale on eBay and the active bidding it has spurred, it’s clear that buyers are hungry for these trucks, even with fairly significant bodywork needs. If you want more info on this white Bronco that’s sitting in a Rhode Island junkyard, get in touch via mail@barnfinds.com. And if you like the red one, get in the mix soon as it’s offered with no reserve and the auction ends Thursday.
I know it is a small sample size, but it does seem like we see quite a few first gen Broncos. Almost always well-used and rusty. Given they weren’t big sellers in their day, it got me to wondering why there seems to be many still around. I decided that, perhaps….
The majority of these were simply tools. There was no trendy SUV market in their day; few suburbanites or young folks clamoring for small, rugged vehicles like Broncos (or Jeeps or Scouts, for that matter). Most were purchased to be used and abused; oil field duty, ranchers, getting around in bad weather. And when they got old and worn-out, the easy thing was just to pull it behind the shed and not worry about it. Can’t do that if you live in a nice subdivision.
Later, as trends started to change, automatic transmissions in Broncos became more common plus there were nicer trim packages. Then, on to the big 1978 Bronco. And so on.
Jeff, the white one illustrates… they are still out there.
When the cheapest gas prices in my area reached nearly $5 a gallon back in 2008, you suddenly saw a lot of older people driving 70’s to mid-80’s economy cars. Once gas prices dropped they disappeared from the road just as quickly. I live about 15 miles south of Oakland, it’s typical suburbs, that basically stretches for 75 miles, even more if you discount rugged terrain which is difficult to build on. People find a way to stash cars, they always have, even ones with little to no value. I have one friend that’s had a 33 Willys coupe and a 64 Falcon sedan delivery that’s been sitting in his parents covered patio since the late-60’s. Take a look at Google earth in typical, non-housing tract suburban areas, on the satellite setting you can see cars everywhere, especially in older neighborhoods that had garages in the back yards or that had side access.
The point is, there are still a lot of cars out there. In areas not prone to rust, many are great restoration candidates. Once in a while they hit the market and get a chance at a second life. It just pays prospective buyers to stay vigilant, they never know what might turn up for sale in their neck of the woods.
Steve R
Hmmm. I had a ’71 with the exact same colors and rust in the late eighties and early nineties. Mine was a 170 six cylinder with a three on the column. We had a great time running the log roads in the local woods and low speed back road Sunday drives. The back road Sunday drives were reserved for times shortly after we had rain, otherwise the cab would fill up with a ton of dust making it’s way through the rust holes. I sold it for $600 in 1993 still running and driving. What a fool I was. I should have parked in the fencerow and left it sit for 25 years so I could sell it for $5000.
“Pulled from the Barn” PUT IT BACK!
yup, some don’t realize. Others are disapointed, yet more want one. I guess I’m in the middle. Esp when I C guys on the net sell a VIN tag. Each’n every component can B purchased new (frame to motor) and some ‘ll do it. Even tho an owner since ’83 I don’t like the prices seen for the ones w/all the “bolt-ons’ (I call em). Worse is the ICON or others where it’s only the bronk silouet, look, form, memory…Did Mr.Jones sell Big Olie yet? I nominated it for:
https://www.historicvehicle.org/national-historic-vehicle-register/vehicles/1970-dodge-challenger-rt-se/
after seein a great movie abt Qualls Challenger
Wish I had Mr.Qualles movie url