Supercharged, Coyote-motivated machine rides on a contemporary custom chassis.
Benchmark Build
Six figures for a fifty-plus-year-old Bronco? In 2017, American weekly business magazine, Bloomberg advised would-be-collectors to purchase Ford's vintage off-road machine before they broke $100,000. That benchmark is long gone. Examples like this 1970, Coyote-motivated, supercharged, first-gen, built by Gateway Bronco in Hamel, Illinois, have now tripled that predicted, milestone price.
Photos courtesy of Gateway Bronco.
Sold Release
Introduced in August 1965 as a 1966 model, the base price of Ford's little four-wheeler was $2,194—approximately $20,000 in today's money. It was offered with three different body types—a two-door wagon, a half-cab pickup, and an open-body roadster. Just under 24,000 examples sold in the first year of its release. In various incarnations, five more generations of Broncos followed until 1996.
Similar Truck
The astronomical prices sought for first-gen Broncos have everything to do with demand. The 'small' model is unique to the lineup and is somewhat rare. Manufactured until 1977, overall production numbers were not that high. Ford produced exactly 207,347 examples before the Bronco was redesigned as a full-sized truck—similar in size to the F-150.
Survival Status
The 1966 Bronco was intended to compete with the Jeep CJ and the International Harvester Scout. Ford's Bronco brochure called it an 'All-Purpose Vehicle.' Unfortunately, many of these machines ended up in junkyards. Modest production numbers, rust issues, and rough use all contributed to the first-generation low survival rate. Original, unmodified examples have earned a highly sought-after status.
Custom Handling
The Gateway Bronco shown here has been re-christened the LUXE GT Edition—delivered for $305,955. Apart from the body, not much of the original vehicle is left. Somewhat justifying the price, Gateway begins with a Kincer Chassis. Part of the veritable automotive all-stars that helped refurbish Jay Leno's 1968 Bronco, Kincer custom builds frames to contemporary handling and performance standards.
Package Motivation
The original 1966, 92-inch wheelbase, Bronco was powered by a solid-lifter version of Ford's proven 170 cubic-inch, overhead-valve, six-cylinder engine, which developed 105 horsepower. Gateway replaces that anemic power plant with a well-fed, Coyote 5.0L V8, coupled to a ROUSH Performance Supercharger—the same blower package fitted to the new Shelby GT500. All that forward motivation is parsed through a 10-Speed Automatic.
Smooth Steps
Stopping, steering, and handling for the high-end Bronco are on par with the modern powertrain. A Wilwood Big Brake Kit puts contemporary clamps on all of the four corners. A HydroBoost Power Assist steering unit translates to easy navigation in the mall parking lot, while the four-link helps smooth out the speed bumps. Powered steps are included for easy door egress
Ranch Runabout
The interior is a rustic work of art. Trimmed with distressed Marrone leather, hair on hide, and reclaimed barn wood for the bed, this 1970 off-road runabout is fit for a ranch-style weekend getaway. Gateway Bronco prides itself on employing the best available with all their builds. If the price is a little out of reach, they do offer tours of their 60,000-square-foot facility.
>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Bronco right here in the forum.
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