The Ford Bronco is a unique vehicle line and is one of the most famous Ford trucks in history. Loved for its stylish, pioneering appearance and great offloading capabilities, the Ford Bronco is the go-to vehicle for all occasions. Now going through its 2022 model year, the Ford Bronco still carries on the traits of its forerunners: Strong, Practical, and Reliable. Let’s take you back to where this lineage started.
In mid-1965, the first-generation Ford Bronco rolled out of the production line to be sold for the following model year. The Bronco was initially developed as a compact all-terrain vehicle, starting out as a utilitarian, body-on-frame four-wheel-drive SUV. During its lifetime, the first-generation Bronco was available in three main body styles, Roadster, Pickup, which Ford called a functional utility vehicle, and finally, the most famous wagon body style. Bronco sold approximately 24,000 vehicles. As a new vehicle of its kind, the first Bronco sold like hotcakes, inspiring a second-generation family that debuted in 1978.
The first-generation Ford Bronco is a reasonably-priced classic vehicle in 2022. We’ll dive into the current value of the classic Ford Bronco and why it deserves a spot in your classic collection.
History Of The Ford Bronco
Bronco has emerged partly as a result of the growing popularity of all-terrain vehicles and partly to take advantage of new markets outside the hinterland. But Ford knew it had to listen to market demand to get the market to embrace the wild horses. Before introducing the Bronco, Ford had talks with members of 300 off-road clubs to get a clearer picture of what to create. The brand also met thousands of off-road vehicle owners and even talked with others who had never owned or ridden in a 4x4 vehicle.
The actual development of the Bronco didn’t begin until 1964 when Ford spent around $300,000 to research and create the Bronco concept. The Ford Bronco was the brand’s response to the International Harvester Scout, the Jeep, and Range Rover, and the ever-so-famous Toyota Land Cruiser.
Features That Made The First-Generation Bronco A Legend
Initially, Ford designed the first-generation Bronco as a comfortable two-seater. Its front fenders protruded above the hood. This gave the driver a view of the car's corners. The first Ford Bronco’s boxy body sat on an entirely new chassis. The Bronco broke new ground, offering the best handling on the highway and beyond the open. It paved the way for Americans who rarely ventured outside the malls and interstate stops.
Standard equipment includes a rear fender flare, pivot spare tire carrier with cover, black roll bar, Hurst shifter, and steel wheels with factory cover. The first base model didn’t have doors or a roof. It boasted a removable hardtop color-keyed to the exterior. It also had a swing-away spare tire carrier and factory chrome hubcaps. In 1972, the Ranger trim level became the first Bronco to offer model-specific body lines. The Bronco Ranger model came with special wheel covers, cloth seats, wooden door panels, and a carpeted interior, for more exclusivity.
All models of the first-generation Bronco measured 151.5 inches in overall bumper-to-bumper length. The Bronco’s 92-inch wheelbase welcomed a spacious interior in all trim levels, Inside, the Ford Bronco featured front bucket seats and rear bench seats, concealed in fine cloth or leather material. Its removable fiberglass cover featured side windows on the upper trim levels. Bronco instrumentation included a speedometer, an odometer, a fuel gauge, an oil pressure gauge, an ammeter, and a temperature gauge.
Another beloved feature of the first-generation Bronco was the powertrain. Under the hood, the first Bronco packed a 105-hp 2.8-liter inline-6, inherited from the Ford Falcon. Initially, the brand offered a 200-hp 289-cubic-inch V8 engine as an option for customers who needed more power. In order to keep production costs low, Ford installed a 3-speed manual on the steering column and a shift lever on the floor for the 2-speed transfer case. This configuration allowed the driver to switch to a two-wheel drive in the four-wheel-drive system on the go.
How Much Does A 1972 Ford Bronco Sell For Today?
In its first year, the Ford Bronco was available at a base price of $2,194 for all trims. For the 1972 model year, the price of the Ford Bronco rose to $3,365 without the optional 4.9-liter small-block V8 engine and appearance packages.
Today, buyers should expect to pay up to $70,018 for a 1972 Ford Bronco, with some examples sitting with the highest average sale of $90,012, according to classic.com, a site that collects and tracks auction records of classic vehicles. As you would expect, the price depends on the condition and the mileage.