This beautiful Ford Bronco is a recent show winner, and while it benefits from a few new components, it really reflects careful preservation over it’s 47 years. It’s located in Ellijay, Georgia and is up for auction here on eBay. Special thanks to Jim S for this tip!
Despite me having one as a toy when I was a lot younger, sightings of these half-cab Broncos in reality have been few and far between for me. I love that it’s so original. The seller states that there has never been any rust, filler or patch panels in this Bronco’s history, which any enthusiast will tell you is very rare. I’m guessing the paint is not original as it looks so pretty, so it’s not really a survivor, but it’s not a restoration either. Maybe a Surdriver?
Wow, look at that shine! The original wheel covers and narrow whitewalls are perfect, too. I’d be proud to be driving this early SUV anywhere, and the seller says even with the three-speed transmission it will cruise at 60-70 miles per hour. It’s telling that there are five, not four new tires on the vehicle!
Yes, the seat has been reupholstered and the dash pad is new, but the rubber floor mat (the full width one in black) is original. With only 62,350 miles, this Bronco has been coddled compared to most similar vehicles. The modern stereo and the horrible brown floor mats are the only things I’d change here. With vintage and vintage-appearing stereos available at reasonable costs, there’s really no reason to install a stereo like this in a classic.
While under the hood is not as pristine as the rest of the vehicle, a little bit of detailing would help a lot! This is the factory 170 cubic inch 6-cylinder engine, but remember this isn’t that heavy of a vehicle in the first place. And with only 20,956 Broncos made in 1969, it’s a pretty rare vehicle anyway! What do you think it’s worth?
If the mileage is as claimed and there’s truly no rust, I’d put it at low 20s. 6 cyl doesn’t help the value. Cruising at 65-70 is pretty optimistic as the 6 cylinders had 4.11 or 4.56 gears.
Gonna drive my ’69 this weekend (with almost 300k miles than this one!)
As of now, price is over $23k and reserve not met. Beautiful find.
I have a matching in color same truck as above with a 302 3 speed on the collar with an accidental unit under the dash. 56,000 miles
Used to see one identical to this (with the half cab) back in the mid 60s on the old Green Acres TV series, driven by the Hank Kimball character. Anyhow you almost never saw these with the half cab back when they were new, it looked so cool, like a little 4wd pickup truck.
The Green Acres trucks were red 66-68 roadsters. No tops and door inserts.
Bloody hell. . . Wife is probably going to divorce me over this one.
You obviously didn’t see all the Green Acres episodes Todd. You’re probably confusing it with Howdy Doody
Yeah, red.
I never knew the windshield folded down on these like the CJ’s. I am guessing the u-bolt on the hood fastened the windshield down. Are the roadsters just the truck with the roof and doors removed? And yes, farm living is the life for me!
Yes, the windshields folded down on all the 66-77s. However, it was officially “discontinued” when they switched from vacuum to electric wipers in early ’69. There’s a spring-loaded pin on the top of the windshield frame on that latches onto the u-bolt on the hood. The ones with the fold-down feature also had large chrome knobs on the dash that you unscrewed to release the windshield. They changed to regular bolts when the feature was discontinued.
The roadster model was a stripped down version of the wagon or pickup that came with fiberglass door inserts for the door openings as shown in the picture above. A soft top was an option and doors were added to many over the years as well. The VIN for roadsters starts with U13, half cabs were U14 and wagons began with U15.
Correct – I haven’t seen every episode of Green Acres. However between the magic of Google images and tons of discussion on the topic on classic broncos.com and elsewhere on bronco-related forums over the years the styles and pedigrees of the trucks seem to be pretty well documented.
Hi Todd, Thanks for the reply, I had and old Scout way back. nice rig, Thanks, Mike.
See, I knew you hadn’t seen all of the Green Acres episodes, Todd. And you probably never even saw one episode of Howdy Doody!.
Show us picture of a Bronco from green acres other than the Roadsters.
Doody was puppet………he couldn’t drive
Maybe one? Definitely before my time!
It’s an awesome piece….but holee crap, over $20,000???
Wow. It was $1,800 when I wrote it up, but I knew it wouldn’t stay there for long. Of course, high retail on NADA is $32,600, so you never know.
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1969/Ford/Bronco/2-Door-Utility-4×4/Values
It’s worth 20K tops as was stated the 6 banger just doesn’t get it on the highway. I just found a nicely restored V8 ( 302 ) blue one with a few upgrades near me on the Kansas City Craigslist for 35K. I can’t believe how these have rose in value as I sold a super nice one with a 351W and all new James Duff suspension for $5500 in the late 90’s.
JW,
These trucks are not rising in VALUE they are rising in PRICE. Small difference for sure but, a lot of people ignore the reality of it. That’s why you have VW buses going for over 100K and such. Often, desire of ownership drives up the price way beyond product value.
JW454 you are correct sir, poor choice of words by me, it is the price rising but the value is the same as it was 15 years ago except now people have gone completely nuts to own one. I want another but not at these inflated prices.
JW454-
You make an awesome distinction which should be better understood throughout the hobby. Sadly, we are at a point again where classic cars are viewed as a commodity or investment, but so few understand the level of patronage necessary to preserve the perceived “value”. Buying up Hemi Cuda’s and Superbirds, or Shelby Mustangs, or BBC powered Camaro Convertibles comes with a cost; they don’t just sit and stay immaculate. These aren’t rare Rolex watches or gold coins, and the prices have not become driven by actual value so much as actuarial values. This book/that website claims the worth as $XXX,XXX so they’re all worth some derivative value.
It’s not true. Ultimately, the market SHOULD be driving the value, but it doesn’t. As an interesting example: Here is someone selling a very well restored 1966 Hemi Coronet. Offered at no reserve, and a very low starting bid, the seller is allowing the market to determine its value rather than beginning with a high starting bid or an inflated and mystical reserve.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121899062928?rmvSB=true
Clearly, in the case of this Bronco, the bidding is pushing up well beyond $20k, and seems to be in excess of its actual value. Are the bidders bidding it up to determine what the reserve price is, or is there actually that level of interest in what is not only a “rare” vehicle, but one which is also in excellent condition and fairly desirable? I feel that that the distinction between value and price has become completely lost as it relates to classic cars, and that makes it difficult for those of us of average means who want to own these things to use and enjoy them rather than preserve them for some anticipated future sale (at a negligible profit, of course!).
Just my opinion. No offense intended if any of you are speculators or high-dollar collectors.
Mike H.
You picked up on exactly what I was saying. If a buyer purchased a new or late model SUV of similar size for 20~25k, he would have leather seats, air, tilt, cruise, and the list goes on. That’s a lot of value.
The buyer that buys this gets none of that. His value is when he says, “Hey look what I have” and those that look are impressed. That’s his value. If there is something else besides hope of higher resale, I’ve never found it.
Someone with more Bronco knowledge should know the answer. Shouldn’t the engine compartment and the exterior be the same color?
Yes, they should be the same.
Ditto !!!
I don’t think that’s “Ford blue” on the motor either. Ford sponsored Green Acres and most the actors drove Ford’s. ( even the tractors were Ford’s)
This thing will never get off-road, it’s too nice to get dirty or scratched. I didn’t notice the colour difference, good eye CJay, and Green Acres is hilarious!
A guy here in town uses this one as his daily driver/
Here’s the one I sold in 1997 for $5500′ my friend built it from the ground up. It was a rusty one he drove all the way to Las Vegas to pick up a rust free body then added a 351W. He moved to Florida and got hooked on Corvettes so I bought it for $3500. The only thing I didn’t like on his restoration was the gold insert wheels I was always going to change them to black insert.
Anybody interested and needs a “Set of Eyes”. Just respond with your contact info. I drive through this town twice a week, at least. I would consider it a pleasure to be allowed to go and check this thing out! I know there is no way I’ll ever get to afford one but looking can go a long way…………
Unsold at $26,100. What could the seller think that this thing is worth? At dinner last night the consensus of (15) individuals very involved in the hobby all felt that the value of this one was between $12k and $15k, and they were all shocked when I showed that bidding was well over $25k at that time.
I totally agree that the first generation Broncos have gotten way out of line as far as prices. They are a toy or a plow vehicle. When we had our 2 Broncos a 68 6 cylinder we used it to teach my sons the fun of getting muddy, it wasn’t much to look at but we had a ball, the other was a 73 with a 15K build to hardcore off roading by a friend who I bought it from in 1990 for $3500 and I had to put a trans in it. Drove it sparingly for a couple years as it road like a chuck wagon then we bought a farm 2 hours outside Chicago and slapped a Western Plow on it for a couple winters then I sold it without the plow in near perfect condition for $5500. IMHO I would not pay over 12K for one unless it was perfect and to pay 15K it better have a newer motor with fuel injection done right.
I’m wonderin Y if ’69 it has the later T-case shift boot’n handle?