Ford introduced its First Generation Bronco in 1966, and the new model sold in respectable numbers during that first year. Sales fluctuated during the rest of that Generation’s production life, but they are now one of the strongest performers in the classic market. This 1966 example is a fairly solid vehicle with only minor rust issues. It rolls on larger wheels and tires, but returning it to its factory form would not be a difficult assignment. The first thing it needs is a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Wilsonville, Oregon. Bidding sits below the reserve at $10,500, but the action has been pretty intense.

The listing and supplied photos suggest a previous owner may have cultivated the “designer patinated” appearance with this Bronco because the tired Caribbean Turquoise paint and apparent surface corrosion on the doors don’t gel with the seller’s claim that those panels are new. We’ve previously seen classics where a builder has followed that approach, and this may be a case of more of the same. The images confirm that the floors are new and that the frame carries little beyond surface corrosion. The door frames and prone areas like the rear quarter panels and hood are clean, with the only identified rust visible in one rocker and the front inner fender wells. Steel to address those shortcomings is readily available, and with that welded into place, this Ford should achieve a rust-free status. The wheel arches are cut and sport flares to accommodate larger wheels and tires, but reversing those changes as part of a faithful restoration would be pretty straightforward. The trim looks restorable, and there are no glaring glass issues, but it is unclear whether the original top is included.

This Bronco’s interior could be considered a blank canvas, and how the new owner proceeds will depend on their desire for originality. The lack of mats and carpet reveals the solid floors, while the seats sport what appear to be new Black vinyl covers. The painted surfaces are acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle, but refreshing them to lift the overall presentation would not be difficult. Regardless of whether the winning bidder pursues the faithful build or custom path, they will be spoiled for choice when selecting trim and other interior items.

Ford developed the First Generation Bronco on a shoestring budget. That approach included adapting the 170ci six from its Falcon range with a few carburetor and oil pan upgrades to cope with the harder life the engine would experience powering an SUV. The six should produce 105hp and 158 ft/lbs of torque, which feeds to the road via a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. This Bronco’s original owner didn’t bother about the bells & whistles because it doesn’t score power assistance for the steering or brakes. The modest engine power means this classic would be happiest sitting at around 60mph on the open road, but the mid-range power and torque would allow it to crawl into some inhospitable territory. The significantly larger wheels and tires accentuate this ability, while their increased circumference will assist in making life less stressful at highway speeds. The seller says this Bronco runs and drives but not how well it achieves either feat. However, the indications are that the news should be positive.

This is a First Generation Bronco, making it unsurprising that it has garnered interest since hitting the market. This Ford has attracted twenty-three bids, with that tally slightly lower than I expected. However, it is early days in this auction, and history suggests that things could become frantic as the end draws near. That leaves the winning bidder to choose between preservation, restoration, or a custom approach. All have their merits, but which would you pick?