Free Wheelin’ Package: 1979 Ford Bronco
For a few years in the late 1970”s, the Ford Bronco could be had with a unique cosmetic option called the Free Wheelin’ package. Because of their unique striping and color scheme, these Broncos are easy to spot and yet, hard to find. This Bronco, found here on eBay, has the attention of a lot of bidders and has already reached the $40K mark.
The seller states that the Bronco is in unbelievable condition and the pictures do back up that statement. The description does lack any real reference to what work may have been done (or not done) to be in such a condition. It appears nice enough that it’s either had refinish work done or someone kept it in phenomenal shape. With only 51,000 miles on the odometer, it really could go either way. There’s also the possibility that it’s both been very well cared for and had some work done for the condition to be so great. No matter the scenario, that interior fits with the overall condition of the vehicle and looks incredible.
I’ve always enjoyed the unique decals and striping of the special edition malaise era vehicles, especially these Broncos and trucks, but I learned something about it that I didn’t previously know. The stripes on the Free Wheelin’ package are reflective and certainly add a “wow” factor for nighttime cruises. So, these Broncos will look good during the day or when the sun goes down. Also, when the weather is just right, the removable top adds an extra layer to the fun factor.
This Free Wheelin’ Bronco just seems to fit the bill of late 70’s nostalgia look with that color scheme and 4×4 stance. Finding one of these Broncos in such presentable shape is hard to do and it’s even backed up by a Marti Report. Those factors are likely the reason that this one is raising the bids consistently halfway through the auction. So, with a bid already standing at $40k, where do you think the final bid will land?
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Comments
The eye-catching stripes on this rig, called Chromatic Stripes, are often associated with the Free Wheeling trucks because so many of them had them as an option. However, they weren’t part of the Free Wheeling package and were available on non-Free Wheeling rigs as well. Beautiful rig!
Great looking bronco. It will definitely fetch a good amount. Enjoy this one.
I picture this with a guy in sunglasses driving down the road. Poneytail sticking out of the back of his trucker hat. Lynyrd emmiting from the sterero and a full cooler in the back. Lets Party Man!!
Hold my beer n watch this. …lol
Sounds like “Free-Wheelin’ Franklin”, The Freak Brothers by R. Crumb, which came out about this time, whose catch phrase was “Times with dope and no money are better than times with money and no dope”,, or something like that. I know, that dates me.
I know a guy in Northeast Texas that has 2 of these. Sadly they have been sitting for many years tho. I tried to buy 1 of them back around 2007….of course the answer was NO….and they still sit….rotting into the ground….Guy is a Truck Driver so he started a collection of assorted Bronco’s as he drives across the country he spots 1 and stops and buys it if he can and brings it back home to hoard….doesn’t do anything with any of them tho :-(
I love these 2nd gen Broncos. They are some of the best looking SUVs ever made. I had a 3rd gen 1984 Bronco in high school (admittedly no where near the condition of this one). It was great cruising around in the summer with the top off. The combination on 351W engine with Holley 4 barrel, C6 3-speed trans, and 35″ BFGs meant fuel mileage of around 8 mpg. Gas was really cheap in the mid 90s though.
Absolutely pristine Bronco. Trim level is Custom, so the woodgrain applique on right side of dash has been added later on, as well as the woodgrain trim around the instrumentation. Correct trim has black insert. Tilt column has gone missing as well. Roof lights are added later, also. That being said, this truck is without a doubt one of the cleanest in existence. New owner will be elated with it.
I don’t understand how the addition of a reflective strip option would make these worth that much more money because from what I’ve read that’s really the only difference give me the first generation bronco any day of the week but to each his own I would take my $40K and put it towards the purchase of a classic Mopar just saying