If You Can't Wait for a Ford Bronco, Why Not Go Vintage? (2024)

It might not be a surprise that the older the Bronco, the higher the price. Add a plethora of custom work into the mix and the price can get even higher. This ’68 Bronco is proof. Powered by a fuel-injected 347 CID small-block Ford V8, this Bronco also features enough custom touches that made it fit right in at the 2018 SEMA show, where it was featured as part of a giveaway.

This ’79 Ford Bronco is on the milder side when it comes to modifications. Recently refinished in Ford’s white chocolate paint with blue decals reminiscent of the original paint scheme, this Bronco should give you lots of curb appeal. Still powered by a 351 CID Ford V8 that was rebuilt, reportedly, ten years ago, the new owner won’t exactly be screaming down the quarter-mile. Though, that’s not the point of a Bronco. This Bronco has had some bodywork done, with a quarter panel, door and tailgate replaced, so that might give you an idea of what a Bronco with some resolved issues will bring.

This beautiful example of a restored ’77 Bronco is reflected in its sale price. Refinished to its factory medium copper finish, this Bronco looks factory fresh. Of course, there are some subtle modifications that make it better than stock like an upgraded suspension, a 23-gallon fuel tank and a Bluetooth audio system. Though, these modifications aren’t as obvious as some custom work in this gallery. If you’re chasing a higher-end first-gen Bronco, you might expect to pay something like this.

If it’s not clear by now, snagging a first-generation Ford Bronco is going to set you back. Though, this well-maintained example from ’73 is proof that it doesn’t always have to break the bank. Substantially cheaper than the previous first-gen Bronco, this example hasn’t been returned to its factory finish, nor has it been meticulously maintained. Instead, this is a great example of a good-looking driver quality car that probably will only increase in value.

Did you honestly think we were done with first-gen Broncos? OK. Good. Anyway, this is another example of a no-sale on what looks like a sound ’68 Ford Bronco. As noted in the images, this Bronco has been extensively refreshed with a replacement quarter panel in place. The floor pans and footwells have also been replaced. Now, the work seems to be well done, but extensive work does sometimes come with a price penalty. All that said, this Bronco would have made someone really happy for $30K.

Obviously, later examples of the Ford Bronco will demand less cash than the older ones. And, this ’88 model is living proof. Selling for a fraction of the price of first-generation examples, this ’88 still looks like it offers just as much fun for a lower asking price. The Eddie Bauer package might add some value down the line, but definitely adds some fun accent colors and a nice conversation starter.

While older examples are generally pricier than newer, this ’96 model is a beautiful outlier. Selling for more than the previous example on this list, it is just that nice of a truck. Refinished to factory colors in 2014, this well-maintained ’96 model will take you back to the mid-'90s in style. The fact that this Bronco is also the final year of the Bronco’s run until the 2021 model was revealed, probably helps with the price.

While a lot of the examples on this list are well-maintained or restored examples of vintage Bronco SUVs, this one is maybe on the rougher side of the spectrum. Selling for $25,000, this rare Denver Broncos edition Ford Bronco might be one of the more on-the-nose special editions. Restored versions of this odd Bronco bring big bucks, but this example is missing some key features and has some wear and tear. Naturally, that’s reflected in the price and makes it a reasonable way to jump into a rare example of a first-gen Bronco.

What might be my favorite Bronco of this list, this Ford from ’78 simply oozes cool. This recently refinished ’78 looks like it was ripped right out of the late ‘70s with aftermarket aluminum wheels and big rubber. While it was refinished, this example seems like it was a nice starting point for a restoration, which combined with the execution helped it command a solid figure.