1976 Ford Bronco

Description

The Bronco marked Ford’s inaugural entrance into the sport utility market. Its development was the result of research into the Scout and Jeep CJ, which found those vehicles had commendable off-road prowess, at the expense of passenger comfort and horsepower. Ford designed and built a competitor, the new Bronco, in 1965 with three body styles: the open-air Roadster, two-door Sports Utility, and three-door Wagon.

1976 was the penultimate year for the first-generation Bronco. The lineup had been streamlined to the Wagon body style, with the 302 cu-in V8 engine now the sole powerplant. The 302 sent power to a direct-drive three-speed manual transmission or a C4 three-speed automatic. A two-speed Dana 20 transfer case handled four-wheel-drive duties, a tough coil front/leaf rear suspension with double-acting shocks handled the bumps, and new front disc brakes hauled the Bronco down from speed.

According to its Marti Report, this 1976 Bronco is one of only 448 finished in Mecca Gold paint. While its original engine has been replaced with another correct 302, the remainder of the drivetrain is all original. And it has recently undergone a mechanical refresh to ensure that it’s ready for its next owner.

Highlights 

• First-generation Bronco still wearing many of its original components 

• Replacement correct 302 cu-in V8 with two-barrel carburetor 

• Three-speed manual transmission with column shifter 

• Refinished in (Y) Mecca Gold with Parchment knit vinyl interior 

• White removable hardtop and six-point roll cage 

• Dual fuel tanks 

• Power steering and power brakes  

• The chassis number (U15GL80073) decodes as: 

  • U15 – Wagon 

  • G – 302 cu-in V8 

  • L – Michigan Truck assembly plant 

  • 80073 – Built in March 1976 

Features 

• 15-inch wheels wearing 30x9.50R15 LT BF Goodrich Radial Long Trail T/A tires 

• 100-mph speedometer, oil pressure, coolant temp, voltage, and fuel level gauges 

• Sony aftermarket stereo 

• Recent maintenance includes: 

  • Power brake booster, master cylinder, and proportioning valve 

  • Hard and soft brake lines 

  • Front hubs, bearings, disc brake rotors, pads, calipers, and hardware 

  • Rear drums, shoes, and hardware 

  • 4x4 Warn lockout hubs 

  • Distributor, Duraspark ignition module, spark plugs, wires, and wiring harness  

Known Imperfections 

• Pinholes on front edge of hood have been repaired/repainted, but color does not match 

• Small hole in body by passenger side exhaust outlet 

• Undercarriage could be detailed as it’s driven on road  

Included 

• Keys 

• Deluxe Marti Report 

• Car cover 

Ownership History 

The consignor states, “This 1976 Bronco is an unrestored original with one repaint. It has been owned for the last 21 years and gets yearly maintenance in a classic Ford collection. It runs and drives great with the 302-2V motor, which is the correct engine but not the original. The rest of the drivetrain is original to the truck (transmission, transfer case, front and rear differentials, three-speed manual on column). The entire brake system was replaced last month.”