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Rare Color: 1976 Ford Bronco Ranger

The bidding history tells a big part of the story with this 1976 Ford Bronco Ranger. It is 1-of-46 to wear this color in the 1976 model year, and when combined with the 1st Generation Bronco’s ongoing popularity, it has allowed it to attract 56 bids since the owner listed it for sale. Located in Mead, Washington, you will find this Ford listed for sale here on eBay. All of that action has pushed the price beyond the reserve, where it now sits at $44,600. However, there’s still plenty of time left in this auction, so there’s scope for that price to go even higher before the hammer falls.

Given the popularity of Wimbledon White across so many of Ford’s offerings over the years, it seems strange to think that it was a rare color on the ’76 Bronco Ranger. However, the figures don’t lie, and this vehicle is 1-of-46 to wear that color in that model year. The owner holds documentation, including a Marti Report, which confirms this fact. Today, the paint is showing its age. Even allowing for this deterioration, the Bronco remains fairly presentable. It would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but this is not something that would demand immediate attention. The panels are straight, and it is refreshing to find a 1st Generation Bronco that doesn’t appear to be suffering from significant rust problems. The body looks clean, and the owner doesn’t mention any major issues in the listing. It is also nice to find one of these that hasn’t had the fenders cut, although those aftermarket wheels must go close to rubbing on the rear wheel arches. If I were to buy this classic, I would probably source a set of original wheels before the current ones could do any damage. Otherwise, the trim and glass look good, and I get the impression that the Ranger is set for some off-road adventures.

The Bronco’s interior continues the vehicle’s overall tidy theme, and it wouldn’t take a lot of money or effort to push it to the next level. The covers on both bucket seats are starting to crack and split, but the buyer could spend $380 on a replacement set of front covers to return the seats to a factory-fresh state. The owner has replaced the carpet and dash pad, and with the spotless painted surfaces, it looks pretty impressive. He has also installed an aftermarket stereo and a set of speakers in the doors. Unfortunately, he has cut the doors to install the speakers, so returning the interior to 100% original will be more difficult for prospective buyers. Still, I guess that we can’t have everything, can we?

The owner supplies no engine photos, but we know that the Bronco features a 302ci V8 engine, a 3-speed automatic transmission, a limited-slip differential, power steering, and power brakes. The V8 should be producing 125hp and 220 ft/lbs of torque, and it is that second figure that is key to this vehicle’s off-road abilities. The maximum figure is reached at just over 1,500rpm, which means that the Bronco should be capable of easing its way through some pretty harsh terrain with little effort. Unfortunately, we don’t receive any concrete information on how well the Ranger runs or drives, but the owner does hold service records that date back more than three decades. These indicate that the vehicle has received a new engine and transmission at one point, so hopefully, it is now in sound mechanical health.

By 1976, it was apparent that the 1st Generation Bronco had reached the end of its life-cycle, and a new model was waiting in the wings for 1978. The 1976 model year was not a banner one for the Bronco, with only 15,256 handing over their cash to park one in their driveway. However, times have changed dramatically, and they have developed something of a cult following. That is why the bidding frenzy on this one is no surprise. I think that there could be some way to go before we hit the final sale price, and I believe that there’s a good chance that this one will sail beyond $50,000. This is an auction that should be worth watching closely.

Comments

  1. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    The Wimbledon White with blue Ranger houndstooth interior is a sharp combo!

    Like 9
  2. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    I’m a stickler for reading a Marti Report accurately and correctly. From precisely reading this Marti report: of the 1976 Bronco U-100 4×4 wagons, 517 were Wimbledon White. That’s about 3.4% of production of this model. There were 42 which had this paint/trim code; that’s the proper “1 of x” description.

    Point taken, white certainly wasn’t a very popular color for a 1976 Bronco; it would be different today.

    Like 5
    • Avatar B302

      Bob, I agree, 42 is a far different from 517.
      Figures Don’t Lie, But Sellers Do Figure. The seller in the Ebay add stated “Unique Early Bronco offered for sale. 1 of 42 Wimbledon White Rangers produced for 1976.”
      Also, in 1976 Bronco’s were available in about 18 different colors. Marti will let you know what the rare colors are, but it will cost you.
      Most new cars and trucks offer no color options, only a few tones or shades !!! The saleman only asks what shade of grey do you want?

      Like 5
  3. Avatar CCFisher

    I think the uncommon color would be more noteworthy if it were a more interesting hue. Grabber Blue, for example. Then again, a white Bronco did rise to prominence 18 years later…..

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Steve R

    Beautiful. Except someone performed an unforgivable sin. They installed speakers in the doors. How could someone ruin such a fine example of a vehicle by performing such a hack modification. The lack of rust, great color combination and the vehicles overall condition don’t matter anymore because that one modification makes it unworthy of being seen at any coffee and cars or any other local show, too bad, if not for that this is a great survivor that needs nothing, but a driver willing to enjoy it as it sits.

    Steve R

    Like 6
    • Avatar Euromoto Member

      Are you being sarcastic?

      Like 5
      • Avatar Steve R

        Mostly.

        Steve R

        Like 2
    • Avatar qmmq

      Nice Steve. I generally get a kick out of your comments. I don’t think most people get your since of humor. Haha

      Like 2
    • Avatar Joe

      I wish we knew if it had red heater hoses. Been a while since that dead horse was beaten!

      Like 0
  5. Avatar cidevco Member

    Funny no engine or under carriage pics???

    Like 0
    • Avatar Howie Mueler

      Correct and even has the hood open in most photos.

      Like 1
    • Avatar j

      Video and photo links are on the eBay listing.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar JOHN SZUGDA Member

    Mecum had 2 Broncos go threw last weekend. One went for 88K and the other for 80K. Crazy money out there.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Gary Rhodes

    I really don’t get the hype on these. Way to much money for Ford’s version of a Jeep. Give me a CJ for 1/3 the price any day.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Charles Sawka

    Really ? Again with silly number crunching that really doesn’t mean a thing. It’s either a nice car or it’s junk, numbers and color combinations are a ridiculous criteria for determining value. My opinion.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar chrlsful

    yeah, I remember the red hose thing starting up abt 6 mo after I 1st showed. Grew tired of it pretty quick (joke? or no joke!).

    Wimbleton might not have been a body color as it had a lill tan/brn in it. It was used as trim (bumpers, dash, top, grill, wheel) no? B a different (groovy) white, like “Ice White” or sompin (more brilliant shade?). But I do catch Steve’s sarcasm & agree (even asa owner). This 1 will go higher, it and the vedub bus and some others should not go that hi. If I sold mine I could never afford nother~

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Steve R

    Sold with a high bid of $46,100.

    Steve R

    Like 0

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