Owning a Ford Bronco Ranger now comes at a significantly higher price than it used to, and here’s why.
Anyone who even calls themselves a car enthusiast, especially those who have a penchant for American-made cars and SUVs, has likely seen (and wants!) a Ford Bronco. These days, more and more Ford Broncos from the newest generation dominate the streets, back from a 25-year hiatus. But the magic began back in the late 1960s.
Upon the introduction of the Ford Bronco came the Ranger line. The Ford Bronco Ranger takes things to the next level – a trim level that blew the competition out of the water. Just as every gearhead knows about the iconic Ford Bronco, the same rings true about the Ford Ranger.
The Ford Ranger is one of Ford’s light pickup truck offerings that was introduced in the early 1980s and still going strong to this day. But before the Ford Ranger was its own entity, it was an option for the Ford Bronco for almost a decade between 1972 and 1981.
Automotive fans and car aficionados know how legendary the Ford Bronco is, especially the Ford Bronco Ranger. And lately, everyone is starting to take notice. Even though the highways are seeing new Ford Broncos, the classics are receiving attention in the form of skyrocketing prices.
We take a closer look at some of the reasons why prices of the Ford Bronco Ranger are rising, and if it’s worth investing in one.
History Of The Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco was Ford’s first entry into the sports utility vehicle world, with production starting in 1965. The creation of the Bronco led it to be a direct competitor against other established compact SUV off-road vehicles like International Harvester’s Scout, or Jeeps.
Ford wanted to create a personal off-roading vehicle of their own; so the creator of the Ford Mustang, Donald Frey, got to work. Lee Iacocca, also known for his hand in developing the Ford Mustang, took on the engineering for the Ford Bronco. The intention of the first Bronco was to keep costs down and to keep the utility vehicle simple. Doors were symmetrical with only the left and right panels changing the side, glass used was flat and not curved, and all initial vehicles were all-wheel drive with shift-on-the-fly transmission.
What Differentiates The Ford Bronco Ranger From The Rest Of The Pack
There is a draw towards the 2-door SUV vehicle that appeals to many, and the Ford Bronco was a great option for those who didn’t want a Jeep. In the U.S., adventuring and ruggedness is a culture and way of life for many. That means the cars they chose needed to be able to keep up. Enter: the Ford Bronco Ranger.
Ford introduced the Ranger trim package in 1972. It offered different trim colors, swing-away carrier for the spare tire with a spare tire cover, and coat hook, just to name a few. These characteristics are what elevated the Bronco Ranger from the Bronco Sport.
Today, looking at the classic Bronco and competitors, its styling stayed timeless and the curb appeal where the Bronco held its own is what makes it stand out the most.
Why Are Old Ford Broncos Worth So Much?
Old Ford Broncos are now a collectors’ car, fetching prices over $100,000. Even a plain, decent Bronco will run at least $50,000. The reason for the high price tag? Well, we can think of a few.
The Ford Bronco has work, adventuring, and tough conditions on its mind. As a result many of them end up used and abused, and the ones that have survived in good to pristine condition are hard to find. Repairing an older Bronco with significant wear, body damage, or rust will get expensive very fast. Finally, depending on the generation you’re looking for, there may not be a lot available! The Ford Bronco Ranger saw a moderate amount of production, so putting that against what has survived leaves little wiggle room for haggling on price.
The Ford Bronco’s Rise From The Ashes
After 25 years without a new Bronco (what a dark time), Ford announced the 2021 Bronco. This new iteration would be available in a 2-door configuration or a 4-door configuration. The 2-door looked most similar to the Broncos of old, in part because a 1976 Bronco was digitally scanned as a reference point.
With Jeep being their biggest competitor in re-entering the 2 door adventure vehicle market, Bronco incorporated a removable top and removable doors. The Bronco revival has a decent base model with a 2.3 liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four engine that produces 300 horsepower and torque of 325 lb-ft. With more than a few new features added to the Ford Bronco like on screen topographical maps and a terrain management system for handling any terrain type, we truly hope the Ford Bronco is here to stay – whether that’s in the form of a 2023 model, or a 1972 Ford Bronco Ranger.
