Ford Bronco (First Generation)

The first-gen Bronco was Ford's answer to the Jeep CJ — a no-nonsense, purpose-built 4x4 for people who actually needed to go off-road. The short 92-inch wheelbase made it absurdly maneuverable in the rocks and woods.

The removable hardtop made it a convertible. The V8 option made it fast. For a decade, the Bronco was the serious choice for serious off-roaders. Then the O.J. Simpson chase in 1994 made it famous for entirely different reasons.

Today, the early Bronco is one of the hottest collector trucks on the market, with values that have tripled in a decade.

The early Bronco's simple body panels develop surface rust that looks authentic. Original Wimbledon White, Ivy Green, and Candy Apple Red with honest patina are highly desirable.

The aftermarket now offers reproduction everything, so pristine examples are increasingly common. Watch for rust in the floors, rockers, and especially the area behind the rear wheels where mud collects.

The roadster and half-cab models are rarer and more valuable. A driver-quality Bronco with good bones is still a reasonable entry point.

The early Bronco aftermarket exploded in the 2010s. You can build a complete Bronco from reproduction parts. Companies like ICON and Gateway Bronco build restomod versions for $200K+.

For regular enthusiasts, the V8 models are the sweet spot — reliable power, reasonable fuel economy, and adequate cooling. The inline-6 models are gutless but period-correct. The 3-speed manual transmission is agricultural but robust.

Modern upgrades like disc brakes and power steering are common and don't hurt value.