UPDATE 03/18/2024: The owner of this 1972 Ford Bronco Ranger appears to have fallen victim to a non-paying buyer with their first listing, but they are taking a second swing to see if they can find it a new home. The bidding reached $28,300 following forty-six bids during the previous auction. Therefore, you will find the Bronco listed here on eBay. The vehicle details remain unchanged, and the interest is as intense now as during the previous auction. Forty-three bids have pushed the price to $20,100, which is above the reserve. Maybe the seller will taste success this time.
03/05/2024: Interest in early SUVs has not abated. Whether it’s a Scout, Toyota FJ, Blazer, or Bronco – prices are nuts! … That is, until you cast your eyes on the window stickers for new versions of these vehicles – yikes. For a daily driver, I like comfort, but vintage SUVs just can’t be beat when it comes to ease of use, ease of repair, and the cool factor. Here on eBay is a 1973 Ford Bronco delivered with the Ranger package and a 302 CID V8, bid to $20,200 with no reserve. This truck is located in Greenacres, Washington, and comes complete with a Marti report. Interestingly, the Marti report says the truck was delivered with Grabber Blue paint, but I think that’s wrong. The paint code “4” corresponds to Bright Lime – the color you see – in 1973. This truck was produced in October 1972, so it was probably a ’73 model. I’ve never known a Marti report to be wrong, but I think this one is. In any case, the fenders have been cut, but at least we’re not looking at a color change, and the truck runs, shifts, and drives well.
The engine is a 302 V8 paired with a three-speed manual, a two-speed transfer case, and limited-slip front and rear differentials. The 4WD is said to work well. This Bronco was ordered with extra skid plates, though they appear to have gone missing. In fact, the underside of the radiator met a hard object at some point. This model year was the first for power steering – a welcome addition for those of us who have wrestled with early Broncos. But not to worry – if you’re fond of the buckboard ride (yes!), that’s still a feature.
The Ranger package included carpet, door panels with “wood-tone accents,” and upholstery in Ginger, Blue, or Avocado – this is Avocado, very flattering next to the Bright Lime paint. The seats need rebuilding, and I’d probably replace at least the fabric inserts. The back-row seat is still present, and the seller notes that all the lights work. Through 1977, the Bronco’s top was removable, though one rarely sees topless Broncos about. A hint of the bodywork a buyer will face is evident in the inner sill, where rust has chewed up that joint with the floor. But that’s not all ….
The tin worm has attacked the lower-body white and orange vinyl stripes that distinguish the Ranger, punching a hole through the driver’s door. Panel fit is indifferent here and there – the hood where it meets the grille, the doors – and the bumpers need straightening. The swing-out spare tire carrier is missing, though the mounts are present. The popular approach to these Broncos is to create a resto-mod, and I suspect this one is headed in that direction. Its condition has exited “patina” and entered the “needs repair” zone. What do you think – restore it, drive it, or rod it?
These things are a joke anymore
“Whatever the market will bear.” Seems to be the mantra of the sellers, these days.
Laughing all the way to the bank !
“when it comes to ease of use, ease of repair, and the cool factor…”
I’d add: “durable, multipurpose (those from off shore @ the time werent like the Merican 1s) and easy to modify for particular applications.”
I think that’s Y many were purchased by 2nd (sometimes 1st) owners (years ago – but some today, as well).
Last addition: each yr round Thanksgiving is the Baja 1000mi desert race from (usually) Enseneda to La Paz. Several yrs ago (?decade? I’m pretty poor w/timing for the past) one of the Bronco venders (Chuck) help get started a “Vintage Racers” class. See some of the rigs U post on here – there ! Ol scouts, bronks, Moss Bros in their 2nd gen Bronk (’79) seemed to win quite a bit while ago (not sure if any of it wuz @ Baja 500 or 1000).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md4FqXrmyuM
Y du yu pst like that?
Love your Chevy Panel truck !
Send more pictures please.
Maybe because he from another country and doin the best he can
Hey if it were mine and someone is willing to pay ‘large’, I’m certainly not going to dissuade him/her. Fix her up & make it safe. Then… Enjoy!
I believe I’m the only person alive that thinks this way, a frustration I deal with on a daily basis, but does anyone else see the irony of a 1st gen Bronco in a city called “Greenacres”? Back when TV was entertaining,( 60s) the show “Green Acres”, a spin off of “Petticoat Junction”, was the 1st time many of us saw the all-new Ford Bronco. The bumbling county agent, Hank Kimball( Alvy Moore) drove a ’67 roadster on the show. Ford knew the “Jeep/Scout” market was wide open, and it was a market they couldn’t afford to lose and the rest is history.
Like all these “flash in the pans”, the high prices too shall pass. I say this everytime, but I’d love to see the faces of the potential buyer, showing up in a new Bronco. How different could it be?
That “city” would have been called “Hooterville”. Think about that one for a while
There were actually 3 Broncos on Green Acres – a 66, 67, and a 68. Two of the three are still in existence.
Interesting, I just bought a 73 Ford P/U much nicer than this. It is 2-WD, Short box, 302 -3 speed, factory A/C and has been in storage since the late 70’s. I paid 20 K for it and everyday I have it I am confined it was a great deal.
Too much rust and holes, seen and hidden. This is a $50k rig. $20k to buy and $30k to restore just to end up with it worth $25k.
Fewer and fewer reasonable posts hee on BF.
Apparently you haven’t priced fully restored ones
I’m kinda smitten with the whole 302/3-speed with power steering just to keep you coming back. Great color and features that appear to be mostly in tact. Drive it. Fix it. Drive it some more. Take some friends so they can recall how nice vintage motoring can be.
It’s really amazing what some folks will pay for these old Broncos and Scouts, as plain Jane as some of them were when new.
“the owner of this 1972 Ford Bronco Ranger appears to have fallen victim to a non-paying buyer with their first listing”. Yea, I highly doubt that this is the case… More like Shill Betting.