Ford introduced the Bronco in 1976 as an early SUV to compete against the likes of the Jeep CJ-5 and the International Scout. It remained in production until 1996 but was reincarnated in 2021 using modern technology. This ’76 Bronco has been sitting for many moons and has gotten mighty rusty – and a tree on it, thus eliminating any hope of saving the body. The underpinnings are okay, so you might want to go the custom route with a fiberglass shell. Located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, this donor is available here on eBay where a flurry of bidding has raised the ante to $3,050, but a reserve still stands in the way ($10,000 will let you buy it right away).
The Bronco was promoted as a “civilian off-roader”, so it had better manners than its #1 target, the Jeep. But it took a while to evolve, so earlier models were better suited to the back roads than the main roads. The first generation was in production for 12 years using a chassis that was developed for the Bronco and used by no others. The Bronco was only available as a full-time 4X4 with a “shift-on-the-fly” transfer case and locking hubs. While an inline-6 was standard, a small-block V8 was perhaps better suited like the 302 cubic inch version in the seller’s vehicle. Ford sold 13,625 Bronco’s the year this one was built.
This SUV looks pretty used up. Not just for the amount of rust that has nibbled on exterior sheet metal, but for the damage caused when a tree fell across its mid-section. As such, the seller suggests the buyer consider this a parts purchase or as a donor for another project that has a good body but bad underpinnings. We think this vehicle has been out of commission since the 1980s, but it was on the road long enough to collect at least 108,000 miles.
Everything underneath is said to be in good shape except for a bad leaf shackle which can easily be replaced. The 302 V8 runs but it needs carburetor work. A Dana 44 front end is part of the arrangement as is an automatic transmission and power disk brakes, along with power steering and dual fuel tanks. There is no tile as we’re told they weren’t needed in the state when the Ford was sold. So, a bill of sale will have to suffice. What would you do with this Bronco if you won the auction?
Dang ouch
🌳 🪚 🗣 ” Timberrrrrrrrrrrr” 🛻 😲
Are they serious? $10,000?
Too bad, but boys, this is toast. (If I might use a Michael Moore word, oh wait, he was wrong! I take it back, very fixable. Pay full ask plus 10% as a thank you)
If the frame is straight and running gear is good, buy a new body and go! Still priced a bit high but, they don’t make them anymore! These bodies are very popular as are the CJ5 bodies.
Uh
The frame is bent….
Ran when barked.
Ran when Barked??? That made my my day. Its a shame to see this, i feel bad for the owner, but that was a funny line.
Russ,
I think that you meant to say that the Bronco came out in 1966.
Agreed – the Bronco came out in 1966, not 1976. And none of the 66-77 Broncos were full-time 4WD. That option didn’t come along until 1978. No title on this one makes it less valuable but lots of great parts on this one since it’s a ’76.
You are just buying the VIN Tag in this sale. Thanks to the after market you can buy the rest of it and get it back on the road. Have fun!!!
Three 0s too many.
Junk-it-now!!!!!!!!!
I would drive it as is 😂
For once the rust bucket probably saved the frame from damage. Rebody it maybe? But not for 10000 being the starting point. Glwts peace!
You’re way late in this one ! Bidding has ended ! Definitely a frame rack is needed or find a new frame.
My Dad used rebuild Broncos in his shop and he rebuilt worse than this , parts were easier then!
may B not.
E v e r y t h i n g is available – new, aftrmrkt now
(just like a ‘stang – U can build 1 from scratch,
no ol vehicle prts needed @ all).
Evidently if a tree falls on it it’s worth more than one with a tree growing up thru it. Tho I’ve seen some astronomical prices on some of those too.
Your post reminded me of that old saying, “If a tree falls on a Bronco, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
One oh-chit undoes a hundred at’a-boys.
Push it off the side of a mountain to make sure it’s dead, and take it out of it’s misery
Kind of proves my point in a comment I made about Mopar and early Broncos in the comments section on the Shriners Barracuda.
You would feel like a majority stakeholder in Wild Horses 4×4’s website, by the time this thing made it to a paint booth.
One word…JUNK!