1976 Ford Bronco

Description

Vintage 4x4s are currently the hottest thing on wheels in the collector car world, with early Ford Broncos like this 1976 model are seeing big jumps seemingly every month. The best advice is to buy the best Bronco you can afford, because they aren't going to be getting any cheaper, and this is one that you can enjoy immediately.

By 1976, the Bronco was getting long in the tooth, but for collectors, the latest versions are often the ones that are most highly prized. Wearing creamy yellow paint with white details, this one has FORD written all over it and perfectly captures the rough-and-tumble look of Ford's early SUV. The repaint was done some years ago, so it's seen its share of use, but who wants to own a flawless Bronco? No, instead you can take this one out to play in the dirt without worries and as you can see, it still shines up quite nicely for shows on Saturday. It doesn't look as though it's been beaten up on the trails, however, which is an important distinction to make, and the doors fit well enough to suggest that it has always been well-maintained. White fender flares add to the sturdy look and match the removable white hardtop, and with a few touches of brightwork like the grille, door handles, and window frames, it has a look that's welcome almost anywhere. There's also a heavy-duty Ramsey winch built into the front bumper, a set of step plates, and a trailer hitch neatly integrated into the rear bumper, making this a very functional machine.

Sporty low-back bucket seats make this Bronco feel like more than just another truck, and the jaunty upholstery looks fantastic in Parchment inside the Bronco. It appears that the door panels are original and in good condition, and the dash has been painted in off-white to tie it together nicely. A few tasteful modifications add to the driving experience, including a wood-rimmed steering wheel, custom pedals, aluminum shifter handles, and new Vintage Air under-dash A/C, a very welcome addition. The original gauges are in good condition and are joined by a tachometer on the steering column in the usual spot. An AM/FM/CD stereo joins the original AM radio in the dash, with the new radio powering a few speakers stashed throughout the interior and providing plenty of sound even when you're running alfresco.

It took Ford a while to drop the 302 cubic inch V8 into the Bronco, but it completely transforms the truck. Recently rebuilt with an Atomic electronic fuel injection system, the Ford Blue V8 under the hood here runs superbly and delivers the kind of smooth torque that makes climbing through the brush a pleasure, not a chore. A lot of money obviously went into the build here, with fresh components everywhere you look and it runs well enough to drive anywhere, on or off-road. It's backed by a C4 3-speed automatic and a 2-speed transfer case, which feeds power to both ends, which has upgraded Moser axles and beefy skid plates. Lots of new suspension components including dual shocks on all four corners and an auxiliary gas tank mean it's ready for adventure and the recent exhaust system offers a polite V8 burble that never becomes annoying. Shiny polished aluminum wheels look great and are wrapped in 35x12.50-15 off-road radials that look like they have a lot of life left in them.

The day is coming when this truck will seem like a bargain. With V8 power and plenty of creature comforts, it's the Bronco you'll never regret owning. Call today!