With the 6th Generation Ford Bronco's sales going strong and gaining traction with the consumers; we noticed that the vintage market on Ford's iconic 4x4 is hotter than ever. The current Bronco Raptor is trading on the secondary market well north of 100 grand. That's one of the reasons we dubbed the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor the most ridiculous factory 4x4 ever.
Ford themselves have taken notice of the vintage Bronco craze by giving us a slew of New Retro 2023 Bronco Heritage Edition Models. Naturally, HotCars wanted to do a deep dive on the Bronco's of yesteryear to see why the prices were skyrocketing and if there was still any meat left on the bone for us enthusiasts to capitalize on.
The Rebirth Of A Legend
The 2021 year marked the return of a lot of things; bar-top seating, international flights, regularly accessible toilet paper, and one of Ford's most storied vehicles. After more than a quarter of a century hiatus, the vehicle that created an entire vehicle segment made a triumphant return. With Ford selling more than 150,000 reservations in the first 2 weeks of the 6th-gen Bronco launch.
The Conception Of An American Icon
The 1966 Ford Bronco was the first iteration of the iconic 4x4. It was a simple, no-frills vehicle that was perfect for off-roading and adventuring. While being designed, the Bronco’s purpose was to take a bite out of the Jeep CJ-5s dominance of the market segment. This segment was in its infancy, no one knew what to call it. Lee Iacocca and his team called it an ORV for “Off-Road Vehicle.”
This mirrors exactly what sparked the Bronco's return in 2021 with the Jeep Wrangler having control of the 4x4 off-road segment and Ford wanting to reclaim their lost territory. The original Bronco is now a collector's item, and its prices have reached astronomical levels (10%-20% flux this past year). That's Why Off-Road Enthusiasts Should Buy A Vintage Ford Bronco. As prices are going up, with the current generation being so heavily inspired by this Bronco.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
The SUV/ Off-Road segment had become bigger, and the Bronco had to hit the gym and pack on the pounds to keep up. The K5 Blazer and Dodge RamCharger dwarfed the first generation Bronco. The fastest way for Ford to meet the competition was to borrow from the same year Ford F-100. The 1978 Ford Bronco was an incremental improvement over the original. It had a more imposing look and better off-road capabilities, but was stifled by the 1973 Gas Crisis.
Across the board, the motor options and body styles were the most limited in the Bronco’s history. For these reasons, prices have been steadily increasing recently. Collectors have started snatching them up because of their rarity and reasonable price tag. If you're looking to buy a vintage Bronco, now is the time to do it, as prices are only climbing for this limited-run 4x4. 3-years ago 2nd gen Broncos barely broke 20k, now examples are clearing 30-50k.
Third Time Is The Charm
The generation Ford Bronco ran from 1980 to 1986 and was a little more thoroughly executed than its predecessor. Being smaller, more efficient, and sharing most of its parts and DNA with the contemporary F-Series. This was the first independent front suspension a bronco ever saw. It maintained a solid rear axle, a setup that has continued to this very day.
This saw the return of the bulletproof in-line six that was a monstrous 3.9 liters, and the iconic 302 V8. Both could be had with manual transmissions and preface-lifted years had "F-O-R-D" on the hood like the original Bronco instead of a blue oval logo. That is the proverbial equivalent of taking a fine-toothed comb to this particular generation. The more obscure options and trims serve at the best opportunity for investment, as this generation has increased in value 30% this year alone.
A Bronco In Sheep's Clothing
The 1987 update for the fourth generation Bronco aligned itself with the F-150 generational update, offering a much improved interior design. The exterior design was not as fortunate. From the gauge clusters to the seats to the steering wheel, this Bronco saw high quality improvements that made it stand out from earlier generations. Ford also included ABS as standard, making this a safe choice for drivers and adventurers alike. Direct injection technology was offered on every engine available.
This new technology allowed engines to produce more power while using less fuel - resulting in an extremely efficient ride. An optional push button 4-wheel drive system was introduced that enabled drivers to switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive on the fly. This combination of innovation, shoebox styling and safety made this a highly capable sleeper among its Bronco brethren. It's performing like its predecessor, gaining 30% in 2022.
A Sad Swan-Song
The fifth generation Bronco, initially met with excitement, was to be the last Bronco for over two decades. The American market's shift towards more practical vehicles, the Bronco no longer fit. Making way for larger SUVs such as the Ford Excursion. Excursions scream practicality. As Ford endeavored to make this model safer, it underwent significant changes.
The most striking of which was the removal of its trademark removable roof. Nailing the metaphorical coffin shut on the Bronco. This step was taken to install 3-point seatbelts in all rows and improve rollover ratings. Other new safety features included crumble zones, increased sized brake lights, and driver side airbags.
Although their decision brought mixed reactions, their commitment to protecting passengers cannot be ignored. Ultimately, this Bronco lived for only 4 years before riding off into the sunset… about the same amount of time as OJ took during his police chase in this exact generation.
Now that the dust has settled, these Broncos are getting the attention they rightfully deserve. The market reflects that, as these Broncos have increased an impressive 40% this last year. Examples can be found reasonably now and will be a classic worth investing in.
Sources: Ford, HotCars, Autoblog, Cnet