Rustic 289 Equipped: 1968 Ford Bronco

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Ikey Heyman found this 1968 Ford Bronco that is for sale near Wilmington, Delaware and brought it to our attention. The Bronco is said to be original and uncut. All early Ford Broncos were 4WD and this one shows some battle scars from its survival over the past 52 years. The Bronco is listed here on craigslist for $27,500 and the odometer reading is 72,000 miles.

The seller reveals that the 289 cubic inch V8 engine under the hood is the original motor and he believes the mileage to be accurate. The 289 cubic inch engine was the most powerful engine option in 1968 and the Bronco is said to start and run well. The truck has received new tires all the way around and a recent rebuild of the braking system, the exhaust system, new leaf springs, and new Dana front differential. The ignition system was replaced and the engine was tuned up. The two-barrel carburetor is nice and shiny after a recent rebuild.

The original color of the Bronco (Wimbledon White) can be seen on the interior of the truck also. The original bench seat is covered by a blanket. The engine is backed by a three-speed manual transmission that is shifted on the column. The 4×4 selector is floor mounted.

I would have guessed this Bronco left the factory in Boxwood Green but the seller states that it was Wimbledon White. The exterior panels look pretty good even though there are some dents and dings. The frame is said to be solid and while there is surface rust, I don’t see a whole lot of rot anywhere. Early Ford Broncos have sold anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 based on their condition. If this is as solid and reliable as represented, I would think an offer in the mid to low $20,000 range would be market value. What do you think?

Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FarhvergnugenMember

    Rustic? Rust; ick.

    Boxwood green? Mold from being parked in the boxwood hedges.

    Like 5
  2. Desert Rat

    27,000 for this pile? Just one more example that we have lost our minds. People will buy anything today and pay way to much.

    Like 12
  3. Jimmy

    There will be a lot of first generation Broncos flooding the market at a third of what they were bought for once the green new deal hits front and center !!!

    Like 3
  4. Todd Zuercher

    The ad is laughable – ’68 Broncos certainly didn’t have 250 hp and it’s not anywhere close to the ’75 that sold on BaT on Monday for $86k. Depending on the rust (I see a license plate patch on one inner fender in one pic) on this truck, this is more realistically a $12-15k truck these days. Or for those of us that have followed these for decades, formerly a $1500-$2000 truck back in the day!

    Like 7
    • Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

      I wonder how often this scenario played out…. Guy buys a first gen Bronco to use on the farm or in the oil field. It gets appropriately used (and abused) for a couple decades until, in its rusty state, something breaks that isn’t worth fixing. The Bronco is then parked in the barn, or maybe behind the barn, waiting for ‘someday I’ll fix it up’ to come. When, realistically, it should have been taken to the scrap yard.

      Fast forward two or three more decades, and the son (or grandson) who follows the collector car market inquires about that Bronco. “Is it still in the weeds behind the barn?” “That pile of junk? It’s so grown up back there, I assume it’s still there, but frankly I haven’t checked it out in years.” “Gramps, do you know how much these are now worth?” And, here we are.

      Like 5
      • Todd Zuercher

        We’d love to think that has happened a lot but unfortunately what has happened more frequently is that sometime in the past 30 years, a flipper has come driving down the road and sees the Bronco behind the barn and gives the old man a mere pittance of what the truck’s worth.

        Or alternatively, Grandpa has A LOT of people stopping by over the years, trying to buy it, and he dissuades them by telling them he’s going to ‘restore’ it someday, until it’s so far gone it’s hardly worth anything to anyone anymore…..

        Like 0
    • Phlathead Phil

      I have no idea WHO would pay 86 kilos large for a Bronco.

      Mind shattering!

      Like 1
      • Arthur

        That $86K Bronco was a custom build, and custom built vehicles often command higher prices than regular restored vehicles.

        Like 0
  5. jokacz

    Junk when new, junk now.

    Only idiots need apply.

    Like 1
  6. Andrew Brown

    Delaware does not have front plates. The fender patch plate is a recent Delaware one though. Of course that title is nice and blurry so you cant make out the state.

    Like 1
  7. chrlsful

    “…What do you think?…” that Drew’s hada hand in it.
    Most likely NOT what U (think) U C. This one needs cked in person. Could B fooled either way (junk?, well gone over?). All I can C in 4 pic is a dent, useable bumper, some under hood minor needs, tight panel gaps, a new dash pad & other ‘replacements’.
    I’d stop the rust’n redo the frnt bench. Price? U pay what he wants as the mrkt is now an open system (big pockets v deep pockets, international, etc) & never ending (he’ll just hang onto it, no need to sell) as can B shown by history~

    Like 0
  8. Zyndal Fritts

    The Ford Bronco will always deserve a place in history as of its ingenuity design and of course, Practicality… I’m sure there are some of us out there that will just shake just being behind the wheel of this precious vehicle, And of course I know the feeling I own one myself that’s been setting in my garage for many yeais unmolested and unrestored, And it’s a true company vehicle, 1968 With the power plant 289, I smile everyday going to work walking by it out of the garage… Oh boy what a feeling Of history !!!

    Like 0

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