We’ve seen quite a few First Generation Broncos at Barn Finds, and many have been afflicted with crippling rust. That makes this 1972 Bronco Sport a breath of fresh air. There is rust present, but it doesn’t require wholesale steel replacement. Therefore, it would be a hot prospect for an enthusiast seeking a desirable classic they can restore in a home workshop. If you feel tempted, you will find this Ford listed exclusively here at Barn Finds Auctions.

With warm weather and the opportunity for outdoor adventures fast approaching, now may seem the wrong time to purchase a project vehicle like this Bronco. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Like many Broncos from this era, it has rust requiring attention. Surprisingly, none of it is severe, meaning the new owner could enjoy this classic during the upcoming summer, saving it as an excellent restoration project to tackle the following winter. The Calypso Coral paint has peeled away in spots to reveal surface corrosion, but the panels look solid. Prone areas like the lower rear quarter panels and rockers are fine, as are the door pillars. The wheel arches are cut to fit flares to accommodate the larger wheels and tires, but with replacement lower quarter panels retailing for $130 each, reversing this modification will not be complicated or expensive. The seller supplied an excellent array of photos that tell a positive story. The front inner fender wells are among the most solid I’ve seen on a First Generation Bronco, with the same true of the frame and most of the floors. There is steel penetration where the toe boards meet the floor pans and in the seam between the rear inner fender wells and floors, but I believe these flaws are repairable without the buyer resorting to replacement. They face plenty of surface corrosion, but media-blasting should consign that to a distant memory. The top isn’t original and is only sitting in place. It is included, and its condition is good. The trim is intact, and there are no visible glass problems.

The Bronco’s interior requires some TLC, but it is complete and largely unmolested. The front seats wear aftermarket covers, but the back seat appears to still be wearing its original cover. A full refurbishment will form part of the build, but this is another aspect of First Generation examples that genuinely shines. If the buyer plans a frame-off restoration, dismantling the interior will undoubtedly form part of that process. That will allow the builder to strip and refinish the painted surfaces to a high standard. Spending a relatively modest $2,000 on a high-quality trim kit in the correct materials and colors is worth the expense for several reasons. An interior treated with respect can still present well after many decades of use, while a spotless interior helps maximize this classic’s potential value. Therefore, achieving a factory-fresh appearance is justified.

Although ’72 Bronco buyers could still order their new toy with a six under the hood, the smart money was on selecting the 302ci V8. It became a no-brainer when you compared the power and performance difference. The 170ci six produced 82hp and 129 ft/lbs of torque, with both numbers looking respectable. However, the V8 bumped the figures, with power climbing to 140hp and torque rocketing to 230 ft/lbs. The difference would have been evident in harsh terrain, with the power and torque delivery of the six more “peaky” than the linear response delivered by the 302. Although most owners weren’t worried about outright performance, the fact the V8 covered the ¼-mile in 18.5 seconds versus the six’s 21.6 seconds graphically demonstrates the yawning chasm between the two engines. The seller has been this vehicle’s custodian since the 1980s, and he recently fitted new tires to bring it out of storage. It is in good mechanical health, with its V8 running nicely after rebuilding the original carburetor. He notes the clutch throwout bearing is slightly noisy with the pedal depressed but that the noise disappears once underway. Otherwise, there are no known mechanical issues or maladies.

The First Generation Bronco has been the genuine surprise packet of the classic world. If you had asked most of the more knowledgeable industry insiders at the start of the 21st Century, none would have picked these vehicles as a future hot property. However, that is what they have become, meaning many owners perform meticulous restorations to maximize their investment. That is the opportunity offered by this ’72 Bronco Sport, and the process won’t involve hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars worth of rust repairs. A frame-off approach would yield the best results, but with pristine examples regularly changing hands for between $60,000 and $80,000, the reward is there for the taking. That makes this classic a worthwhile restoration prospect.

• Location: Rome, Texas
• Mileage: 61,473 Shown, TMU
• Engine: 302 Cui V8
• Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
• VIN: U15GLN41539
• Title Status: Clean

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