Problematic Bronco II: A New Darling for Collectors

Unstable History

Not as vilified as the Pinto, the Bronco II still ranks as one of Ford's significant failures. Dubbed the 'Bucking Bronco,' the diminutive version of the popular truck proved unstable and prone to rollovers. As fatal crashes mounted, so did the lawsuits. Undeterred by its problematic history, collectors are now eyeing the downsized Bronco II as their next darling.

Compact Intention

Launched in 1984, the Bronco II was a showroom interloper. Based on the newly introduced Ranger 4x4 chassis, it was sold alongside third and fourth-generation full-sized Broncos. Ford's intention was to create a compact off-roader that could compete with the new Jeep XJ, Toyota's 4Runner, and the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. At the time, the Bronco II was well-received.

Grace Index

Motor media of the day praised the little truck. It was stylish, performed well off-road, was relatively easy to park in town and promised good fuel economy. Its fatal flaw had yet to reveal itself. As rollover accidents increased, the all-purpose Bronco II rapidly fell from grace—driven in part by allegations that Ford was well-aware of its poor stability index.

Young Harness

Ford invested a lot into its marketing, especially so after the rollover reports began to mount. When the Bronco II launched, the Motor Company awkwardly pitched it as “a vehicle for men, single people, or young couples.” Attempting to harness its horsey namesake, Ford also chose to stamp the little truck with the slogan, “It's a Brand New Kick!!”

Doubled Average

Currently, the Bronco II does not make any 'must own' 4x4 lists. There is also good reason to believe it never will. However, in late 2022, Hemmings published a feature in their Collector Car Values column that outlined a change in auction market trends. Since 2018, the average winning bid for Ford's litigation-plagued truck has more than doubled—from $7K to $15K in 2022.

Tippy Doubt

Part of that monetary attention is due to an overall increase in used truck sales—the market is currently 'hot.' It may even be a wishful collateral effect, given the astronomical prices that first-generation Broncos now garner. Renewed interest in the tippy little truck, and Broncos in general, has undoubtedly also been influenced by Ford's 2021 re-introduction of the lineup.

Lethal Desirability

A critical factor in the Bronco II's re-emergence is simply scarcity—something that collectors value. Despite Ford building upwards of 700,000 examples over its six-year production run, few remain in good condition. In a rather sinister fashion, the renewal of Bronco II desirability is a result of its lethal reputation and subsequent decades of neglect for the disbanded truck.

Kick Status

Ford eventually settled 334 injury and wrongful death lawsuits, totaling over $100 million. The Motor Company contended that it was more driver error and unsafe modifications, rather than its problematic and flawed design. Yet, history tends to forget. It appears that the Bronco II is once again corralling its lost 'darling' status. Now that really is a kick!

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