Daily Slideshow: Restored 1978 Ford Bronco Is a Brutish Beauty

You don't see a lot of fully restored 2nd gen Broncos running around. Which makes this '78 something truly special.

By Brett Foote - June 7, 2018
NEXT
BACK
Restored to Perfection
1 / 5
Making a Nice Truck Even Nicer
2 / 5
Stock, but Not Stock
3 / 5
Pure Perfection
4 / 5
Better Than New
5 / 5

Restored to Perfection

2nd gen Broncos, produced for only two model years, have steadily gained on their insanely expensive 1st gen brethren in recent years. And it's easy to see why. These full-size 'utes are among the toughest and coolest looking vehicles Ford ever built. Still, you don't see a ton of 2nd gen Broncos that have been treated to full-on restorations. Which makes this incredibly nice '78, which is headed across the block at Barrett-Jackson's 2018 Northeast auction, a truly stunning find.

Making a Nice Truck Even Nicer

The previous owner decided to commit a ton of money and work to his Bronco, even though it only shows 83,040 original miles. And reportedly, it was rust-free, to begin with. But it's still hard to argue with the finished product.

>>Join the conversation about this restored 1978 Bronco right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

Stock, but Not Stock

The restoration left no stone unturned, including under the hood. The original 351 looks fantastic, even if it isn't completely original. But we see nothing wrong with little add-ons like an aftermarket aluminum intake, 4-barrel Holley carb, and open element air filter. The V8 is backed up by a 4-speed manual transmission for a little fun on both paved and unpaved roads.

>>Join the conversation about this restored 1978 Bronco right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

Pure Perfection

The theme continues inside, where you'll find a simply stellar interior. All-new OEM carpet, trim, and seat covers help bring this gorgeous cabin back to life. The previous owner even had the original seats taken apart and sandblasted so they'd be perfect. But instead of keeping the factory radio, there is a new RetroSound unit with Bluetooth to kick out the jams while also retaining an original look.

>>Join the conversation about this restored 1978 Bronco right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

Better Than New

After that was completed, the entire Bronco was stripped down to the bone and refinished. The factory Dark Jade and Wimbleton White combination looks absolutely stunning - even better than new. And with all-new moldings, chrome, emblems, and lights, you won't find a much nicer 2nd gen Bronco anywhere!  

>>Join the conversation about this restored 1978 Bronco right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

For help with your repair and maintenance projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.

NEXT
BACK