We’ve seen some pretty sad First Generation Ford Broncos cross our desks at Barn Finds, but this 1972 example could be among the best (or worst?) we have ever seen. Time and the elements haven’t been kind, and while these vehicles still command healthy prices in the classic market, this one may have deteriorated beyond the point of no return. It will be fascinating to read your feedback and to ascertain how many of you believe there is hope for this old warhorse. The Bronco is listed here on eBay in Griffin, Georgia. There have been no bids on a No Reserve auction that opened at $995. There is a BIN option of $4,500 for the eternal optimists.
You must look closely for signs of this Bronco’s original Candy Apple Red paint. Almost anything not painted Black has been consumed by corrosion and rust. It would be easier to list the areas not impacted, and vehicles like this make me glad that glass can’t rust! It has consumed the floors, rockers, the A and B-pillars, rear quarter panels, and top. The seller believes the front fenders and grille might be restorable. The doors are only suitable for parts, and the hood is beyond help. However, the frame looks like it might be okay, the glass is intact, and some trim pieces might be salvageable. We’ve seen classics that appeared beyond help brought back from the brink, but other issues cast doubt over this Bronco’s viability.
There is little good news with this Bronco’s interior. Exposure to the weather has destroyed the upholstery, and the gauge cluster may be ruined if moisture has found its way inside this precision instrument. The seat frames and dash structure could be restored, and small items, like switches and handles, might be fit for reuse. However, the list is limited, and this may not be the most profitable aspect of this Bronco for those considering its donor potential. We’ve only scratched the surface with this classic because it’s time to lift its rusty hood.
The original owner ordered this Bronco with the optional 302ci powerplant. That V8 sent 140hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The low-end power and torque delivery made this Bronco an effective off-roader, but it wouldn’t have felt out of place on the open road cruising at highway speeds. Now that I have lulled you into a false sense of security, it pains me to say that the engine is long gone. The remaining drivetrain components are intact, and these could be the best parts of this Bronco. Their condition is unclear, but bracing for rebuilds of these components would be wise.
Regular readers know I am an optimist, but this 1972 Bronco leaves me shaking my head. The opening figure on this auction reflects how bad it is, and the seller admits the BIN price is highly optimistic. Few vehicles have deteriorated beyond the point of no return, and amazing transformations can occur with enough time and money. The question is whether such an undertaking is financially viable. What I see is a rusty pile of parts, not a classic fit for restoration. Do you agree, or have I missed the mark entirely?
Used once for crossing a river..Styx, I think?
And I’ll bet the VIN plate is already “missing”!
Absolutely correct Adam. POS to the 10 degree..
11th degree.
It’ll buff out.
Parts vehicle. If someone needs a rolling chassis might be worth the cost, but not worth the price for restoration, just too many missing pieces and too much rust on what is there.
Not even yard art.Get it out of here!
Nope. Grab the Dana 44 and a few other bits and send this one to the crusher – after you sell the frame and title (assuming they have one) for some $$.
All it needs is everything but its keys, assuming those come with the truck and have not been lost.
There’s a saying in Australia that a non performing race horse is ” not fit for catfood “. You’d need to be in the panel beating industry to fix this old dear up.
At the asking price it goes on the “you’ve got o be kidding” list.
Bottom of the barrel here. I’m not sure what is more foolish, someone actually thinks this represents what all the hoopla in 1st gen Broncos is all about or the fact BFs wastes Adams valuable time reporting on this stuff. Clearly posted for shock value and only shows how out of whack this is.
With that much rust the frame has to be very bad also.
“Hurry, Jethro, take a picture before it completely collapses.”
That left taillight looks salvageable!
Ok so I have never sold or purchased anything from evilbay so how can the current bid be $995 with 0 bids? Anyway I don’t even see $300 in usable parts here but I would do the same thing as the seller toss it out there and see if it sticks. With any luck Richard Rawlings will get drunk and hit the buy it now button
The seller sets the starting bid.
All you need is some shine juice, a motion make-it-happen’er and a tetanus shot
I actually think I see rust in the windshield!
Target practice!!!
the heck w/ guys, I’ve brought em back from… well, no not this bad. But…
everything’s available to do so.
Guy in TX is sellin the glovie doors… HE probably wouldn’t even take that from this one~
Wow I think this is a parts vehicle at best. If it can be bought cheap enough sell the usable parts and junk the rest. You can buy a new Bronco for less than it would cost to restore this and new Broncos are not cheap. Just repairing the rust would cost a fortune in welding wire lol. GLWTS
How many of us read through this and thought to ourselves “well, that’s three minutes of my life I’ll never get back”?
The rust on this thing has rust. Basically, a wad of metal.
Title: Worth Fixing? Answer: No, Hell No!
Way too late to save this one
those wheels are worth more than the rest of the rig. yes if you were local and already had a gen1 project, there are salvageable parts here. but not enough to run that far for me even if i did have one in process.
he’s already adjusted the bin so someone will get a parts rig
No need to travel… looks like it’ll fold right up and fit in a UPS box.
Needs to be crushed…
Needs to be sold for a couple hundred bucks, scavenged for any usable parts then crushed.
I’m not scared of it . Body is probably too far gone to save, but reproduction bodies are available. The rest is just steel, it can be cut, replaced and painted as needed. Source a 5.0 from a mid 90’s Explorer and have a better powerplant than it came with. Definitely not a quick flip but a good start to a in demand vehicle providing you can do the work, not so much if you have to have to pay someone else to do it.