There are some classics that you look at and begin to wonder whether the bubble will ever burst on them. The 1st Generation Ford bronco is a perfect example because values have continued to spiral upwards in recent years. This trend has shown no signs of easing, which means that they may eventually be out of reach for many potential buyers pretty soon. This 1969 model needs some work, but it is a complete vehicle with only minor rust problems. It features a V8 under the hood, and it is begging for someone to treat it to the TLC that it richly deserves. That was the owner’s plan, but he has decided to sell it instead. Located in Trout Creek, Montana, you will find the Bronco listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $10,100 in a No Reserve auction.

The Bronco has undergone quite a few changes throughout its life. It rolled off the production line finished in Caribbean Turquoise, but someone has performed a color change at some point. It isn’t clear whether that person also fitted the larger wheels, but the fenders and rear quarter panels have been cut to accommodate these. This is a common occurrence, and thankfully, replacement steel is easy and cheap to find if the buyer wants to return the Bronco to a stock appearance. For example, front fenders cost around $200 each, while rear quarters are a mere $90 per side. With the passenger side fender also sporting some damage, it seems that replacing that panel will be a bit of a no-brainer. The rest of the panels look pretty good, and it appears that the tin worm has not consumed this Bronco. There is evidence of a repair on the driver’s side front floor, and the quality of the work isn’t great. Given the potential value of this classic once restored, I would probably spend $80 on a new front floor to repair the problem correctly. The rest of the floors and the frame look good, and even the rust-prone front inner wheel wells seem to have escaped the worst that nature can throw at them.

The Bronco isn’t a numbers-matching vehicle, but at least the owner has slotted in a correct 302ci V8 to replace the original unit. A 3-speed manual transmission backs this, and with the ability to select 4-wheel-drive on the fly, this Ford has the potential to fully utilize the 205hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque on offer. While this does give the Bronco the potential to cover the ¼ mile in 17 seconds, it is designed to “climb every mountain, and ford every stream.” The owner says that the Bronco runs and drives, and the video at the bottom of this article shows a V8 that sounds pretty tough. However, it is also a long way from being roadworthy. The brake pedal goes to the floor, and the front differential requires attention. The cover is off at present, and there is no driveshaft installed. It isn’t clear what the issue is with the differential, but it will require attention before this classic terrorizes the tarmac once again.

The interior of the Ford is complete, and if a buyer wanted to return the vehicle to active duty quickly, it is serviceable. The cover on the driver’s seat is torn, but the rest of the upholstery looks okay. The dash pad is badly cracked and has deteriorated beyond the point of no return. The factory radio has made way for a radio/cassette player, while the column shifter has been ditched in favor of a Hurst floor shift. If I were buying the Bronco, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment. A complete trim kit will cost the buyer around $1,600, and it will come with everything required to return this classic to a factory-fresh state. When you consider the kinds of prices these Broncos now command, it should be money well spent.

When I raised the question about the value bubble for the 1969 Ford Bronco, I did so for a good reason. Prices have soared by a massive 25% across the board in the last five years. Today, you will struggle to find a driveable project for under $25,000, while a meticulously restored example can easily command a price beyond $65,000. With values rising so steeply, you can see how these classics could potentially be out of reach of the average punter pretty soon. If that is a concern for you, maybe it would be worth pursuing this one further to see if it is the Bronco for you.