Ford Bronco
The original Ford Bronco was designed to compete directly with the International Harvester Scout and Jeep CJ-5 in the compact 4x4 market. Introduced in August 1965 for the 1966 model year, the Bronco was built on its own unique short-wheelbase platform with a simple, rugged ladder frame.
Three body styles were offered: a roadster (no fixed roof), a pickup (half cab with short bed), and a wagon (the full enclosed version that became by far the most popular). The wagon's removable hardtop gave it versatility — owners could remove the top for open-air driving or leave it in place for weather protection.
Initially powered by the modest 170 cubic-inch inline-six (shared with the Falcon and Mustang), the Bronco gained the 289 V8 as an option in 1966 and the 302 V8 from 1969 onward. The V8 transformed the Bronco's character, providing enough power for highway cruising and serious off-road work. The optional V8 is highly desirable among collectors.
Ford's Dana 30 front and Dana 44 rear axles, combined with the short wheelbase and light weight, made the Bronco supremely capable off-road. The transfer case offered part-time four-wheel drive with high and low ranges. For serious off-roaders, Ford's dealer network offered a variety of accessories including winches, auxiliary fuel tanks, and snowplows.
The early Bronco remained in production through 1977, with gradual improvements including power brakes, automatic transmission options, and power steering becoming available over the years. But it's the earliest, simplest versions that command the highest prices today.
The first-generation Bronco has experienced one of the most dramatic collector car value increases of the past two decades. What was once a $5,000 used truck is now routinely a six-figure restoration. Celebrity ownership (particularly O.J. Simpson's white 1993 fifth-gen Bronco, though that's a different vehicle entirely) and the retro styling of the 2021 Bronco have driven awareness and demand to extraordinary levels.
Rust is the primary concern — check the frame, floor pans, rocker panels, wheel wells, and tailgate. The unibody-on-frame construction means rust can be structural. Early six-cylinder Broncos are less valuable but simpler to maintain. V8 swaps are extremely common — determine if original engine matters to you. The removable hardtop's mounting hardware and seals are often damaged or missing. Aftermarket support is excellent with full reproduction bodies, frames, and nearly every component available new.
Total first-generation Bronco production (1966-1977) was approximately 225,000 units. The roadster and pickup body styles were discontinued after 1968 due to low sales. The wagon outsold both combined by roughly 10:1. V8-equipped early Broncos are more valuable than six-cylinder versions.