It would be fair to say that the 1979 model year marked the moment when the Ford Bronco came of age. Sales exceeded the company’s expectations as potential buyers clamored to park a Bronco in their driveway. This 1979 XLT looks rough, but it is a rock-solid project candidate featuring the range-topping V8 under the hood. The seller has been its custodian for two years, feeling that the time has come for it to find a new home with someone willing and able to recapture its former glory. Therefore, they have listed the Bronco here on eBay in Manahawkin, New Jersey. Bidding has raced to $8,855, which is below the reserve.
Ford’s Second Generation Bronco range appeared in 1978, enjoying a brief two-year production run before being replaced. However, it was undoubtedly a case of “short but sweet,” with the badge enjoying unprecedented sales success. This 1979 Bronco XLT looks rough at first glance, with its Bright Yellow and Wimbledon White paint showing its age. There is a wide selection of bumps and bruises, but that appears to be as bad as the news gets externally. The underside shots support the seller’s claim that this classic is rust-free, an unsurprising fact given that it has spent its life in New Mexico. Therefore, any restoration work won’t require cutting and welding. Some trim pieces may require attention or replacement, but the glass looks okay.
The 1979 Bronco was V8-only territory, with this vehicle featuring the range-topping 402ci powerplant. It may have only offered a relatively modest 156hp and 277 ft/lbs of torque, but the motor’s low-end torque delivery, combined with this Bronco’s three-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case, should make it an accomplished off-road performer. The seller states that they replaced the carburetor, starter, and battery, and bolted on a set of headers. It needs an exhaust and some other mechanical work, but the V8 kicks into life easily, with the vehicle running and yard driving.
The seller provides only a few interior shots, revealing little about the interior trim type or condition. It appears to sport trim in Parchment and Brown, with the seats hidden beneath slipcovers. I am surprised that it seems to have never featured air conditioning, especially considering where the Bronco has spent its life. We are also in the dark regarding what factory options the first owner selected when ordering this classic. The New Mexico sun often bakes plastic and vinyl, and that might be the case with this XLT. Therefore, factoring the cost of a retrim into the restoration budget would be wise. At least trim kits are readily available and are pretty affordable.
It would have been easy and understandable if Ford had pulled the plug on the Bronco experiment when First Generation production ended in 1977. However, its perseverance was rewarded when it released its replacement in 1978. Its SUV enjoyed immediate success, and the 1979 sales tally of 104,038 vehicles exceeded the combined total of the four most successful years for its predecessor. This 1979 Bronco XLT is a promising project candidate that has generated plenty of interest since hitting the market. The auction is nearing its conclusion, meaning that you may need to act fast to become its new owner.
It can be quite cold in NM. Coldest it’s been in the last 25 years in my location at 7,000 feet is 26° below zero (F). My vehicles have AC but I rarely use it.
Just for the record, if anyone keeps track, someone( Todd) falsely accused me of hating Broncos, with a smiley face I later thought maybe he was kidding, but let me make one thing perfectly clear( Nixon) while I don’t understand the hype of the original, I can’t say enough good about these. Mine, a 1980, remained the only vehicle, of several, the ex couldn’t kill. It was without question, the best vehicle I had, even with as mis-spec’d as it was. It had a carb 300/6 and non-O/D automatic and like 4:11 gears. A V8 would have made much more sense. It got atrocious gas mileage( I think my Western Star got better), single digits with everything spinning, but went through anything, great heater, lot of room, I hated to see it go. They were great trucks.
Glad to hear you had a good experience with a BRONCO, Howard :). And yes, I was kidding you about hating Broncos.
And these had 400 engines, not 402 as noted in the writeup.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Todd. I acknowledge that Ford marketed this engine as the “400,” but I was quoting the motor’s actual capacity as per the company’s Specification Sheets. I’m simply trying to remain factually correct, because I am aware that our readers typically prefer this approach.
It’s a bit like the Chevrolet 396 big-block. Even though the its capacity grew to 402ci in 1970, the company continued marketing it as the “396” in subsequent years.
Whoever buys this…. please, Please, PLEASE keep the yellow/white color combo, regardless of how you chooses to refurbish it!
I owned an ’80 Bronco with the 351 and 4 speed manual (granny Low). In 4WD, Low Range, it would almost climb a tree.
At 12 MPG!
My dad bought a new 79 351M ,4sp,A/C and rubber floor covering no carpet…
This one is really clean, not a ton of work needed to finish. I am not a yellow fan by any means but the yellow and white look good together on this one.
I know a lot of Vietnam vets have issue with Hanoi Jane, I share the same sentiments. But I bet the movie “China Syndrome” helped the Bronco’s case a LOT. Who could forget how sharp that Bronco was cruising the highway in the first few minutes of that movie with that unusual Steve Bishop song in the background? I was a youngling but wow, what a time to be alive!
mine had a 351 !