Marketplace Find: Rust-free 1979 California Bronco

A badass Bronco like this one is a great candidate for an easy restoration.

We’ve got a real appreciation for second generation Ford Broncos here at Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Despite being around for just two model years (1978 and 1979), it’s easily one of our favorite trucks of all time.

There’s just something about a full-size, body-on-frame two-door SUV that makes us smile. This 1979 Ford Bronco Custom, offered up for sale in the Ford Truck Enthusiasts Marketplace, has us grinning ear to ear.

The truck is being sold by Zachg of Bakersfield, California. Whenever we see a potential new project truck from out West, our mouth starts watering at the thought of getting our hands on a clean, rust-free project truck. In all caps, the ad states “NO RUST HOLES.”

While the ad does go on to say that the truck could benefit from some attention to the body and paint, we’d be happy to drive it as-is for a while. The nice thing about white paint (and other light colors) is that it hides imperfections very well.

This particular Bronco is powered by 6.6 liter, 400 cubic inch V8. That massive mill is rated at a respectable 276 lb/ft of torque at 2,000 RPM, down low where it needs it most. That’s not bad for a smog-era engine, and given that the 400 was based on the legendary 351 Cleveland, it’s got some high-performance street cred, too.

The electrical system is said to be in great shape, with everything functioning as it should. However, there’s a leak from a heater hose, and the A/C compressor has been removed.

Despite its minor issues, this classic Bronco seems like a great deal for its $5,000 asking price. For someone looking for a rust-free project truck that they can drive and enjoy while they’re fixing it up, it’s a great choice.

Zachg is looking to sell his beloved Bronco to fund the purchase of his first home. We hope he sells it quickly, and we hope that he can rejoin the Ford truck family as soon as he gets settled in his new place!

Photos: Ford Truck Enthusiasts Marketplace

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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