Ford released the First Generation Bronco in 1966, offering buyers three body styles. Over half selected the Wagon, but a few chose the Pickup variant. Don’t be fooled by the photos because this Bronco is a Pickup. Its overall condition justifies a faithful restoration, with the first part of that puzzle completed by the seller. There is still work required, but the process should be straightforward. The seller has listed the Bronco here on eBay in Norfolk, Virginia. They set their No Reserve auction to open at $20,000 but have received no bids.

The seller purchased this Wimbledon White Bronco approximately three years ago after it spent its life on a Montana ranch. It worked to earn its keep, but the dry climate limited the rust problems that often beset these classics. They replaced the front floor pans, while the rear floors and frame carry little beyond dry surface corrosion. That doesn’t mean it is rust-free because there are remaining issues with the front inner fender wells and a couple of exterior locations. However, it isn’t a rust bucket, and addressing the problems would be easy and inexpensive. The front bumper is missing, and the back one is bent, but the remaining trim and glass show no evidence of problems. The seller purchased the vehicle without its original top, adding a full-size top for weather protection. Correct replacement tops in steel are available, typically retailing for around $2,600. That seems like a significant outlay for one part, but the rarity and potential value probably justify the expense.

The seller doesn’t specifically describe this Bronco as numbers-matching, but their emphasis on the vehicle’s originality suggests it is. The engine bay houses the 170ci six, producing 105hp and 158 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed manual transmission, with the dual-range Dana 20 transfer case providing competent off-road performance. The seller includes an embedded video in their listing that features the six starting from cold. It roars into life as soon as they turn the key, and the motor sounds as strong as an ox. They say it runs and drives well, ready to give the new owner plenty of summer fun.

Ford offered 1966 Bronco buyers a broad range of factory options, but this Pickup is a bare-bones example. It doesn’t score bucket seats, a radio, or other creature comforts. However, the bench seat sports what appears to be a new cover, and the pad is in good order. The painted surfaces have years of accumulated minor scratches, but tackling these while performing an exterior refresh would add little to the restoration time or expense. The most positive attribute is its unmolested state, with the shifter in its correct location and the dash uncut.

Ford sold 23,776 examples of the 1966 Bronco across all body styles, but only 6,930 buyers selected the Pickup. The Roadster is rarer, but Pickups don’t appear on the market every day. Logically, those figures would typically mean that the Pickup should command a premium over the Wagon, but that isn’t the case. On average, there is a whopping 30% difference in value between the pair if their condition is identical. However, recent sales results suggest the gap is closing. A value above $40,000 is there for the taking if the new owner performs the restoration to a high standard, but that figure could comfortably climb beyond $60,000 if they achieve perfection. That leaves plenty of room to move if the Pickup sells for around the current price, and the lack of auction action might see someone become the new owner with a single bid. That must make the auction worth monitoring.