I’m a late adopter when it comes to Ford trucks, and there’s no good reason for it. As a kid, I found my grandpa’s ’74 Dentside completely unattractive; today, I’d call the same truck timeless. The “Bullnose” so common in my youth paled next to the Squarebody my uncle drove, but today, I’m wishing I had more space in the garage, because I’ve awakened to the charm of these 1980 to 1986 Ford trucks and Broncos. This 1982 XLT Lariat (the top of the Bronco line) is an “untouched original,” according to the eBay seller from San Antonio, Texas, and a nice example of a truck that seems poised to have its day on the market. It’s already been bid up to $5,150, but it hasn’t yet met the reserve.
The XLT Lariat package transformed a Bronco into a more stylish and hospitable one, with the brochure bragging about its “bright moldings, attractive tape stripe and luxurious interior appointments.” The seller says that the interior is in excellent original condition, and there are plenty of options that make this burly Ford a more palatable daily driver on the crowded roads of 2025. It has power steering, power brakes, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and even an air conditioning system that works.
Bullnose Broncos are an interesting combination of new and old. The ’82 models had time-tested driveline components to complement their relatively new styling: a Dana 44 front axle, a Ford nine-inch rear axle, and in the case of this ’82 model, a big C6 automatic behind its 302 small block. There’s no denying that the 302 was a little wheezy in this period of development, making just 133 horsepower and 222 lb.-ft. of torque, but for light on- or off-road fun, it’s a solid and easy-to-maintain engine with almost unparalleled parts availability. A 351 was optional, but it added a mere three horsepower to the 302’s total (but 40 lb.-ft. more torque). The seller says that the 302 runs smoothly and the Bronco “drives like it’s new.”
The color combination is fun, as well. The seller says that it’s “buttercup yellow and cream,” but the color chips I’ve found don’t list those exact colors; the closest I can find are “Medium Yellow” and the classic “Wimbledon White,” which inclines toward the creamier whites. Regardless of the hues, this is a well-optioned and original 4X4 that Bullnose fans, as I have grown to be, should like.
Seems a more common color scheme on the GM rigs. Love the Bronco model.
Those are not power mirrors. I question the Butter cup yellow since Ford never painted the rear tire rack in any color except black. Lots of screw holding trim on. Other than that at this current price it would be a deal.
What do you mean by screw holding trim on? Also, did you notice the different shade of yellow on the passenger front fender?
This is why the seller described the mirrors as “ultra rare”. They’re so rare that they ain’t.
I like these dealers that say this bs. Also, as someone else pointed out, the right front fender is a different shade. Probably Canary Yellow for all of the chirping the seller does! Lol!
He says they are power mirrors. Isn’t this just an overpriced jalopy ?
He has it listed in his website for $23,999
Did you guys noticed the seller ended the auction today? I think he realized he was getting called out for misinformation on his listing. Definitely some red flags there
Looks like a pretty nice Bullnose Bronco. Can you imagine yellow/white two-tone on a current day truck, but it looks fine here. With it being an XLT Lariat it is nicely trimmed, but the hubcaps make it look rather plain. One of the optional wheels from that model year would be appropriate. Good write-up Aaron.
Forgive the question because I’m not current on Ford nomenclature but why were they called “Bullnose?”
Idk but in the bronco world around here we always called them a Brick
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1217377-what-is-a-bullnose.html
It sounds like a controversial nickname!
Kind of oddly configured with the poverty caps and bench seat in Lariat trim. But, I like it. I don’t $20k like it. But, I like it. Look, I get it. “They’re not making them like that anymore”, but for $20 some odd thousand bucks, us common folk have to buy something more modern and more useful. At one time, as body styles changed, no one really wanted these and you could scoop them up for cheap. Nowadays, they’re retro and you’d probably get better service for less money out of something more modern, as much as it pains me to admit it.
Listed on the dealers site at $23,999!
The 74-79 is a dent side with recessed dent down the body line. 67-72(?) bump side for body line protruding outside the bed body.
80-86 is a bull nose, recessed headlights and angled hood from fender towards centerline of hood.
87-91 flat grill/headlight is the brick nose.
92-96 ( bronco and F150), 97 f250/350 is the OBS (old body style) due to the last model with the vent/wing window in the door glass.
Rather have a 78-79 but looks nice, different color, needs a little bit larger tires with those hubcaps. Plus some additions to HP.
“…80-86 is a bull nose…”
sounds likea Cheb to me, other sidea da street, no?
Did you all notice the front fenders are painted a different shade of yellow? This is definitely a body work/ accident red flag. No mention of it in the eBay ad. Also the seller has this listed on his website for $23k!
That seems pretty high for this not so immaculate example. Hey Aaron, nice write up but did you notice the paint issue I mentioned?
Yeah, I noticed it, Tee Jay. I try to stay positive, and at the car’s price point when I wrote about it, I chose to give “untouched original” a little space. Honestly, I didn’t look at the seller’s dealer site to see what they were trying to get out of it, because $23,000 is a different story.
No worries, I wasn’t bashing you at all Aaron. Just pointing out something that wasn’t mentioned and may not have been noticed.
It is clean. However, you have to assume. You will put 2k into the mechanical parts and components. I would take for $14k. That would be a daily driver. The $24k asking price, I would go for a much newer 4×4. However, for the collector, there is a good chance for negotiations or bid. Good luck on sale.
I bought this truck last week and got it for far less than half the asking. I know what I was getting into but yes, it was not represented accurately. Mechanically it is solid as a rock. Under the hood is in great shape and not hacked up like many of this era. All the emissions are in tact and functioning properly. Cold AC. The interior is condition 2-… Cracked dash but the rest is sweat, original and in very good condition. It does have factory “power remote”(option “J” in the sales brochure) side view mirrors but the driver side is missing and has been swapped out for manual. The passenger side is inoperable.
Floors and frame are immaculate but light surface rust. It is optioned with “handling”package with quad front shocks and F&R sway bars. Color combo is Wimbledon White and Medium Yellow. I cannot account for the off color front fenders but outside of the dent causing the three screw repair on the front corner, there is no apparent front end collision damage.
Rust repair on the tailgate bottom and both rear wheel arches are old and failing. All bondo. The inner fenders are perfectly fine as is all the undercarriage as I had mentioned. There is also some bondo rust repair at the bottom behind the doors. The doors are 100% rust free as is the rood, window shelf, drip rails and front fenders.
I’ll be replacing all the repaired, rusted metal, the entire tailgate and respraying to original colors. I expect a condition 2 final result.
Wish me luck!
Good luck, Nick! It’s nice to hear what happens to a car we post; we usually don’t!
Awesome feedback Nick. This was definitely NOT a truck that should be bought sight unseen. Sounds like you know what to look for and paid the correct price for its condition. I wish you the best in your new restoration project, I’m sure it will come out perfecto! Stay safe buddy and just remember, no matter how much time and $ you put into the restoration, you stilll didn’t have to pay Tariffs LOL!