While it is often easy to determine whether a vehicle is destined to be a future classic, there are times when a crystal ball is needed. Take the First Generation Bronco as an example. It was a competent off-roader when new, capable of mixing it with virtually anything the opposition offered. However, it proved to be something of a sales failure. Today, it has become one of the strongest performers in the market. Good examples command eye-watering prices, and even rough and rusty Broncos sell for figures that beggar belief. Our feature Bronco rolled off the line in 1972, and its condition is better than most that cross our desks at Barn Finds. It has no immediate needs, and any rust problems appear minor. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Cades, South Carolina. Bidding has sailed beyond the reserve and sits at $35,400.
This Bronco makes a positive first impression. Its panels wear Mallard Green, showing evidence that the vehicle has received at least a partial repaint. There is overspray in a couple of spots, but the Trim Tag confirms this as the correct shade. The paint shines quite nicely, although there are a few minor marks and imperfections. It is refreshing to find a Bronco of this era where nobody has cut the fenders to fit flares and larger wheels. This one retains its original wheels and factory hubcaps in excellent order. Since this is a First Generation Bronco, we must sooner or later discuss the subject of rust. In this case, there isn’t much to consider. The seller indicates an issue with the passenger side rocker, but that appears to be it. Replacement rockers are cheap and easy to find. Replacing that would seem to constitute the only cutting and welding required. The lower extremities, door pillars, and front inner fenders are known weak points but look fine. The chrome and glass show no evidence of issues, suggesting that this Bronco has relatively few panel and paint requirements.
Buyers in 1972 could order their new Bronco with a choice of two engines, and this vehicle’s original owner went to the top of the class by selecting the 302ci V8. Backed by a three-speed manual transmission, it sent its power to the rear or all wheels via a dual-range transfer case. With 140hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque, this classic could “climb every mountain and Ford every stream” (sorry!). The seller indicates that while the vehicle retains its numbers-matching V8, a previous owner swapped in an automatic transmission using correct Bronco parts. Reversing the change would not be difficult for an owner seeking authenticity because the seller includes the original parts. I noticed the engine wears aftermarket headers, so there may be other modifications to consider. However, it is a turnkey classic that runs and drives well. The great outdoors is beckoning this classic and its next owner.
The Bronco’s interior is surprisingly tidy because it is common to see them with trim and upholstery that looks like an army platoon has marched across the interior. The upholstered surfaces are in good order, with no rips or other problems. The dash is nice, and the pad shows no evidence of UV damage. There is a hole in the dash where the radio should be, but finding the right radio should not be a problem. The floors wear a coating like Linex, which is hard-wearing and should prevent corrosion from commencing from above. Other aftermarket additions include diamond-plate on the doors in place of the factory trims and a rollbar. The buyer could elect to reverse the existing changes, but this task is not a pressing need.
When you examine the current classic market and the best performers, some vehicles seem like logical inclusions. The C2 Corvette is no surprise, but neither is the Mustang Mach 1, Camaro Z28, or the Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda. However, did you ever think you’d see the day when a Ford Pinto or AMC Gremlin would command a five-figure sum? That doesn’t seem to make sense until you consider the history of classic cars. The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air sold well when new but remained somewhat forgotten during the 1960s. In the 1970s, many people jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon, with the Bel Air becoming a “must have” vehicle. Other makes and models from that era experienced similar success, and a few have maintained their desirable status for decades. The same is true today. Those of us who lived through the 1970s will generally prefer to forget the vehicles from that era due to their lack of performance brought about by tightening emission and safety regulations. There is a new generation of enthusiasts seeking to rekindle earlier times. Their enthusiasm and passion are one reason we see the current prices on the Pinto, Gremlin, and the First Generation Bronco. Whether they are sustainable is unclear, but the rising value of the Bronco shows no signs of slowing. If you have the funds available, watching an auction like this might be worth the effort. If prices don’t slump, it could represent one of the rapidly diminishing opportunities to score a vehicle of this caliber without resorting to a second mortgage. What do you think?
Okay, disgruntledness(?) aside, can anyone give me a logical answer as to why these are bringing so much money? What, $35 grand isn’t a lot of money to you? It’s a slightly larger version of the Samari, and all THOSE handling misgivings, only with a V8. Again and again, the original intention of these, was never a boulevard cruiser, and strictly ulilitarian, no cup holders. Someone posted a picture of their new Bronco, they apparently waited an eternity for, I hope they are happy, I heard a lot of bad reports on the motors, but for someone to think, “it’s a Bronco, how different could it be, for $35 grand, it MUST the same,,”,,,got to be a shred of remorse once they actually drive one. They didn’t call it a “Bronco”,,as in “Bucking Bronco”, for nothing.
You’re right. Looked at a Bronco for an interested friend this past week, $35k for 6cyl, every body panel was misaligned. Must have been thru the mil. He’s looking for a Jeep now.
$37,100.00 with 2 days left. I just don’t get it. You can get a new 2022 Bronco for $38,000.
I have owned 2 when they were just used vehicles and not insanely prided, would love another but not foolish enough to pay these prices !!!
Good write up Howard,I agree 100% as they say, you can’t fix stupid.
Just another example of where the hobby has gone to…It’s across the ‘brand’ field too..If it’s old it commands ridiculous money to own now. There are still good deals to be had on certain cars and trucks which haven’t caught the eyes of the masses. Get them while you can. Then again, the price of fuel may tank the entire collecting craze.
There was one on BAT about 10 days ago, that went for $ 100,000. Our last one sold for 9,000 in 2014, with lots of bondo aboard.
Crazy times. I agree with Howard, I grew up with these rough riding Broncos.
I also test drove one in 1973.
I passed! Tried K5, Dodge Ram, Toyota FJ40, Jeepster Commando.
I bought the Commando. Was it any good, well maybe; I still have it after 50 years! The first 25 were pure torture on it as a young buck. Drove through countlass streams, bashed countless rocks, rolled over twice, and drowned it in a lake. It took a lickin but kept on tickin!
After 25 years of youth abuse discovering the Colorado mountains I did a frame off resto. It had 29 peices of steel replace from rust worms, got a top line two stage paint job a one of one custom pop up camper, rbuilt everything to become a show winning Jeepster Commando!
Of course it came out so good that, to many readers dismay, it never saw another off road experience. Poor little show winning garge queen!
What a farce. It wasnt woth the $2,900 when brand new!
Well Boys, I’m going to have to disagree, mostly. But first, thanks Adam. I pause as much seeing your name on an article as I do for the vehicle description. This is another of your very good write-ups.
But then there’s the continued grousing about money. I suppose none of you guys buy art either. I consider vehicles to be a particularly male art form and some of my favorite. Like art, there’s some stuff out there that I don’t appreciate and some of that stuff goes for big money. I, personally don’t have the funds to buy expensive art or cars (that’s relative, of course) and I don’t resent the people that do. With vehicles, like any art form, we can disagree about worthiness, but the eye of the beholder defines it’s value. My eye enjoys sturdy vehicles with classic lines. I buy old European sports cars, but I greatly appreciate American Muscle. Likewise, I appreciate 50’s and 60’s Chevy trucks and 70’s Fords, but I can’t afford them. I don’t have a fat bankroll so I can only own one or two vehicles at a time. Like most of us, I wish I had a barn full of every car I’ve ever owned. Barn Find offers me the joy of looking without owning, and I always learn things from the comments section (reference: Howard). But I am often disheartened by the level of resentment by those complaining they can’t buy the art they want because the supply is less than than the demand. That’s what car shows and museums are for. Let’s quit complaining and love the art on our own walls and in our own garages and let the wealthy play as they will.
Bingo! Thanks, pal. It really is selfish behavior, and wealthy people generally are selfish, it’s how they got wealthy in the 1st place( or grandaddys money). I’m not poo-pooing the vehicle proper. The Bronco was a CJ with a little class, and aimed squarely at the”Jeep/Scout” market, and did great job. It literally broke Ford into the utilitarian off road market. Since 99% were used for snow plowing, and are gone, it’s no wonder there is such a demand for that remaining 1%.
These shenanigans will run its course, like the FJs, A-H 3000s, and hemi Cuda hype, and buyers today spending this amount have no intention of ever getting their money back out of it, its’s all glitz. I read, the wealthy are running out of places to spend their millions, can you imagine?
“…What do U think?…”
that as they rise so shall they fall.
Cept the real icons. Ex: my sister’s MGTD is still at the same price she paid in very late 60s (despite inflation of 300%, value of dollar to products, current inflation, all the rest). I cant tell U if this jeep will B 1 of the icons (I hope as I;ve owned one 40 yrs this fall). BUT…
so shall they fall as there are few folks left who want the pre-war & their price has fallen reative. Bronks R in their prime as look at the age cohort who usually buys them. The fox bodied begin to rise (again the cohort of buyers is agng in right now). And many muscle decline in price.
not sure when someone expected LOGIC to be a factor in the collector car market
Not sure what your point is, unless it is to say that people shouldn’t buy these for investment purposes. Glad that your sister has had 50+ years to enjoy her MG.
Car enthusiasts didn’t always buy for investment purposes but the old car hobby has grown immensely since the 60s and 70s. Thanks in part to the auction companies, non-car enthusiasts have entered the hobby and turned it into a business. Now you can buy 3 classic Packards for the price of a resto-mod Camaro that may have been in a junkyard 5 years ago. The “hobby” may very well begin to tank as the common man may have to sell his ride to afford the necessities in this new economy.
The value of any commodity be it art, cars, guns or Depression Glass, is placed on it by the buyer and what they are willing to pay. Obviously supply and demand figure into this equation for those who do want to purchase. I saw a Tiffany lamp priced for sale at $3995.00. For me it was worth nothing.
Looks like someone added an automatic and power steering to this one, which makes it a little nicer to drive.
Lots of Bronco hate here – I sure like driving mine, although it’s modified a lot from stock. Just passed over 375K miles a few weeks ago. Dad bought it 41 years ago and I fell in love immediately and have never fallen out of love with it. I hope I never have to sell it.
Prices? Yeah, they’re ridiculous. I hope I never have to replace mine as I couldn’t afford one.