Tidy Survivor: 1996 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer Edition

Motoring tastes can change, and when the final Bronco rolled off the Wayne, Michigan, production line on June 12th, 1996, many people saw it as the end of an era. Buyers had begun to turn their backs on these classics in preference to the practicality of four-door vehicles, with the Expedition stepping into the Bronco’s spot in the market in 1997. With a final build total of more than 1.1 million vehicles since the original Bronco appeared in 1966, Ford could count it as a sales success. Our feature vehicle is from that final year of production and is a luxurious Eddie Bauer Edition. It is an unrestored survivor guaranteed to make any trek into the wilderness a comfortable experience. With fine weather and countless opportunities for adventure on the horizon, it would appear to be the right classic appearing at the right time. Located in Parkville, Maryland, the owner has listed the Bronco for sale here on eBay. Intense bidding has pushed the price to $4,900 in a No Reserve auction.

While this Bronco presents well in Black Clearcoat, I believe it may have received at least a partial repaint. The lower body extremities should wear Light Saddle paint to match that on the removable hardtop as part of the Eddie Bauer package. However, a touch-up is understandable if those areas have accumulated damage due to off-road activities. Beyond that one question mark, the presentation remains pretty good. There are a few minor chips and marks, but nothing indicating prior accident damage or significant repairs. The panels are straight, and there’s no evidence of any history of rust problems. The Bronco is externally clean, while the underside shots reveal only the occasional dusting of surface corrosion. There are no glaring issues with the trim or tinted glass, although the original wheels exhibit what appears to be some visible oxidization. The buyer may successfully address this shortcoming with a high-quality polish, although it could require the attention of an expert to achieve a factory finish. The overall impression is positive enough to suggest that this Bronco could still turn heads today. However, its lack of perfection should allow for a less stressful off-road experience than if the vehicle were in showroom condition.

If you’re going to head out into the wilds to commune with nature, I can see no reason why you should suffer any discomfort along the way. With that thought in mind, this Bronco is loaded to the brim with luxury items. These include air-conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, a roof console, cruise control, a leather-wrapped wheel with a driver’s airbag, and soft leather upholstery. Once again, the impression of this classic is generally favorable. There is some visible wear on the outer bolster on the driver’s seat, and if I were to buy this classic, I would hand it to a leather specialist to see if they could address this before it deteriorates further. The rest of the upholstery and trim appears excellent, while the carpet is surprisingly free from stains and damage that can be part of the off-road lifestyle. Somebody has installed a Pioneer CD player in place of the factory radio. It is missing the edge trim, but sourcing a replacement should be easy and inexpensive. Otherwise, I can’t spot any other aftermarket additions.

Buyers faced a couple of engine choices for their 1996 Bronco, and the original owner of this one went right to the top. The engine bay houses a 5.8-liter fuel-injected V8 producing 205hp. That power finds its way to the road via a four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The inclusion of power steering and power brakes should make light work of tighter situations. While outright performance is far from the most crucial factor in a vehicle of this type, this Bronco’s ability to cover the ¼ mile in 17.9 seconds seems quite impressive for an SUV tipping the scales at 4,740lbs. However, with 95% of the V8’s torque available below 2,000rpm, it should allow this classic to climb every mountain and ford every stream with ease. Refreshingly, this seller doesn’t make outrageous claims about this classic’s odometer reading. It has 184,900 miles on the clock, although these Broncos can clock even higher figures without raising a sweat. Disappointingly, the seller provides no concrete mechanical information beyond their observation that the tires look reasonably new. However, if the general presentation accurately indicates the Bronco’s mechanical health, the news should be positive.

When Ford retired the Bronco badge in 1996, few people believed it would reappear. However, Ford reassessed the decision and introduced a new Bronco in 2021. While these new models offer even higher trim and luxury levels than those built in the 1990s, the sales figures have barely eclipsed the 1996 total of 34,130. They may become a desirable classic in the future, but at present, slipping behind the wheel of a sparkling new example will leave no change from $40,000. While it will undoubtedly offer greater refinement, it will almost certainly suffer significant depreciation in the next few years. Taking that vehicle off-road may also increase stress as concerns about the potential panel and paint damage float through the owner’s mind. That is where this 1996 Eddie Bauer Edition fills the void. If current market trends are accurate, it will cost its next owner barely 25% of the price of a new vehicle. It also offers a luxurious off-road experience, but scratches and scrapes are a lesser concern. It is also unlikely to suffer the same relative level of depreciation, making it a classic worth a closer look.