As you will see, the original owner of this 1983 Ford Bronco XLT wasn’t afraid to splash the cash when he ordered this classic. It appears to be a highly-optioned vehicle that has been treated with respect throughout its life. The current owner has performed a few sensible mechanical upgrades, and these should improve the power output and make the Bronco easier to live with on the road. After five years in his care, the owner has decided that the time is right for the XLT to head to a new home. It is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. At the time of writing, the bidding is sitting at $16,100. However, this figure remains short of the owner’s reserve.

The seller isn’t this Bronco’s first owner, but it appears that it has been treated with respect from Day One. A previous owner performed a repaint in its original combination of Copper and Wimbledon White. From what we know of the Bronco’s history, that person completed the work more than 5-years-ago. The paint remains in excellent condition, with no apparent issues or problems. The panels are laser straight, and the photos of the underside reveal that this classic is rust-free. The owner says that to his knowledge, no one has ever removed the Bronco’s hardtop, which has to rate as a rare feat. The rear power window operates perfectly from both the key and the dash, while the remaining tinted glass and the trim are in excellent overall condition. The Bronco rolls on a set of factory optional wheels, and they were not cheap when this vehicle was new. The original owner ticked that box on the Order Sheet, and the wheels added an eye-watering $1,117.90 to the sticker price of this classic.

Powering the Bronco is a 302ci V8, while the rest of the drivetrain includes a 3-speed automatic transmission, a dual-rage transfer case, locking hubs, power steering, and power brakes. When it rolled off the line, that V8 would’ve produced 142hp, but I suspect that the figure might be significantly higher today. The seller has performed a few upgrades, including installing aluminum cylinder heads with roller rockers, a Performer aluminum intake, a 600 CFM Edelbrock carburetor, and an HEI ignition system. When you add a full dual exhaust, new shocks, and a fresh set of BF Goodrich tires to the equation, it should be no surprise to learn that the Bronco is ready to go with a new owner behind the wheel. The seller says that the 302 sounds sweet and that the vehicle drives perfectly. He admits that the engine bay would benefit from some TLC to have it presented better, but this work could be completed as time and circumstances allow. The original owner also ordered the Bronco with the Tow Package, and with the engine upgrades, it should be capable of comfortably hauling some respectable loads.

The Bronco’s interior is in surprisingly good condition for a vehicle of this type and age. The only flaws that the owner notes are some wear on the carpet and a couple of small tears on the driver’s side of the front seat. Before I considered replacing the seatcover, I would have it assessed by a competent upholsterer. If they can repair it to a decent standard, that’s the option that I would choose. A replacement set of covers is easy enough to find, but they will cost around $620. We can’t see the state of the carpet, but considering how nice the rest of the interior appears, it might be worth spending $300 on a new set to lift the overall presentation. The interior seems to need little else, and it does come with enough comfort features to make life on the road a pleasant experience. These include ice-cold air conditioning, a digital clock, and the original AM/FM stereo radio/cassette player.

When Ford released the original 1st Generation Bronco in 1966, it had high hopes for the badge. The vehicle seemed to possess all of the attributes that potential buyers sought in a vehicle of that type. While it originally sold in respectable numbers, those figures soon slowed to a virtual trickle. The Bronco name came perilously close to disappearing forever, but Ford persisted. By the time Ford produced our feature vehicle in 1983, the Bronco had cemented its place in the market. This one looks like a gem, and it is a rare example that hasn’t been heavily modified, restored, or driven into the ground. With a rust-free body and a bulletproof drivetrain, it should have years of reliable service left to offer its next owner. Could you be that person?