AutoHunter Spotlight: 1974 Ford Bronco

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1974 Ford Bronco.

Coming up on the big 5-0 in a couple of months, it’s time to start blowing up balloons and putting together a party playlist for this old-timer. Some of the top songs that we might want to include from 1974 include “Seasons in the Sun,” from Terry Jacks, “Dancing in the Sun,” from the Jackson 5, and “Bennie and the Jets,” by Elton John. This Bronco may be older, but it recently received improvements both inside and outside. It is equipped with power steering, power brakes, and a refurbished interior, and it is now being offered by a dealer in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The auction ends on Monday, November 13.

The first-generation Bronco, first launching in 1966, quickly became known for its utilitarian skillset: It was capable of traversing sketchy terrain and carrying lots of cargo. The windshield could be folded flat, and in certain body styles its roof and doors could be removed entirely for an open-air driving experience. Versatility was unmatched. Today’s Bronco is classified as a “Wagon,” although it could really be considered one of the earliest sport-utility vehicles.

The two-tone Burnt Orange (code Y) and white color theme adds to the period-correct feeling, and the look is completed by a set of 15-inch U.S. Mags polished-aluminum wheels wrapped in 31-inch Maxxis raised-white-letter tires. The selling dealer says that restoration work included replacement of the fender flares, grille, windshield, and removable hardtop. The tailgate offers both a spare tire and a spare fuel tank; this 4×4 is ready to roll.

Much like the exterior of this Bronco has been gone through, the interior received similar attention. Fresh tan leather upholstery was applied to the front buckets and the rear bench, and additional upgrades included a new woodgrain steering wheel and a replacement headliner.

Across its 12-year lifespan, first-generation Broncos could be outfitted with a variety of four different powerplants ranging from a 170cid inline-six to a 302cid small-block V8. This Bronco comes with the latter, and power is transferred to all four wheels via a column-shifted C4 three-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Ford kept things fairly simple with option packaging for the early Broncos by equipping all of them with four-wheel drive, a Dana 20 transfer case up front, and locking hubs.

Worth noting: This Bronco was previously auctioned on AutoHunter and is now being re-listed with a lower reserve. Don’t miss out on your second chance to own an exceptional early Bronco! Just in time for its birthday.

The auction for this 1974 Ford Bronco ends Monday, November 13, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery