The Bronco name is synonymous with utilitarian, go-anywhere capability. The latest (and greatest?) version came out in 2021 and boasts an impressive resume: A Bronco “Raptor” comes with LED lighting, a FOX-equipped suspension, 37-inch tires, and a 418-horsepower V6. The big catch is that it will set you back $96,000.
Maybe a classic Bronco is a better alternative. It offers a lot more exclusivity at a fraction of the price tag. Let’s look at a nicely restored example from the late 1970s.
The Pick of the Day is a 1978 Ford Bronco 4×4 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Mulberry, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Two-year-only design sixth-generation F-Series,” the listing says. “New black interior and carpet, removable white hardtop, nice aluminum wheels.”
The seller is right. Following in the footsteps of the long-lived original Bronco which lived from 1966 to 1977, the next version had a drastically shorter lifespan of just two years. The most noteworthy change was an increase in size: The Bronco now shared chassis underpinnings with the Ford F-Series truck, which meant that it grew by 12 inches in wheelbase, 28 inches in length, and 11 inches in width. It was offered only in a three-door body configuration and was assembled in Wayne, Michigan.
Along with matching up with pickup trucks dimensionally, this generation of Bronco also received trim levels that mirrored the truck counterparts. Today’s featured truck shows well both inside and out, with a clean looking red paint job and the overhauled interior. Power comes from a rebuilt Cleveland 351cid V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission (this powertrain was rated at 156 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque when new). The air conditioning pump has been replaced, and the seller says that the vehicle “Runs great and is always kept inside.”
For 1980, the Bronco would again go through a body style change, this time to align with the seventh-generation F-Series pickup. That means the 1978 through 1979 Bronco body style was a bit of a rarity when new, and it is even more of a rarity over 45 years later. The Bronco community is strong and growing, thanks to the newer models like the Raptor (which some call the “Braptor”) gaining in popularity. Along with that comes added awareness and recognition for well-kept older models.
The asking price is $44,000 for this 1978 Custom Bronco, and it’ll probably go just about as many hard-to-reach trail destinations as the new version!
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, hit the trail and visit Pick of the Day.
