We see our share of First Generation Ford Broncos at Barn Finds, and most need major rust repairs. This 1969 model is a refreshing change because it is one of the cleanest you will find in the current market. It needs nothing but a new owner with their heart set on some off-road adventure. If that sounds like a tempting proposition, the Bronco is listed for sale here on eBay in Livermore, California. Bidding has climbed slowly to $27,100, which is short of the reserve. For those wishing to bypass the auction action, there is a BIN option of $75,000.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this Bronco is that it will come to the buyer with a known ownership history. It has been part of the same family since new and appears to have split its time between Nevada and California. A life in drier climates is good news for a vehicle prone to rust problems. Its Clearwater Aqua paint shines nicely, with no significant flaws or dull spots. It coats panels as straight as an arrow, which is great on a vehicle designed for the rough and tumble of off-road adventures. However, the lack of historical rust problems is this Bronco’s ace up the sleeve. The seller indicates the driver’s side floor is new, but the rest of the steel appears to be genuine Ford. The trim shines impressively, the glass is flawless, and the seller has fitted larger aftermarket wheels without cutting the fenders.

If the Bronco’s exterior makes a positive impression, its interior serves to increase those vibes. The seats wear new upholstery in a stunning combination of white vinyl with aqua piping. The appearance is complemented by aqua carpet and painted surfaces that appear perfect. The factory radio remains intact, but an aftermarket stereo resides in the Tuffbox between the front seats. A comfortable-looking aftermarket wheel and a column-mounted tachometer round out an interior that would receive favorable comments at a Cars & Coffee. This interior won’t appeal to purists, but if spotless originality isn’t a key consideration in your classic purchase, this one needs nothing.

The seller inherited the Bronco via their grandparents, who were the vehicle’s first owners. They admit it is no longer numbers-matching, but its engine bay still houses a venerable 302ci V8. That motor would have delivered 205hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque in factory form. The original motor disappeared around 50,000 miles ago. The seller has recently spent plenty of cash on this classic’s drivetrain to ensure the Bronco is in sound mechanical health. The factory three-speed manual transmission received a rebuild, as did the transfer case and differentials. A new power steering system found its way into this classic, as did new springs, shocks, and various other components. The upshot of this work and considerable expenditure is that this Ford is a turnkey classic that runs and drives extremely well and is ready for whatever the new owner can throw at it.

Ford sold 20,956 examples of the Bronco during 1969, marking a slight increase over the previous two model years. The figure still fell short of the company’s expectations, but it continued undaunted to recover the development costs. At no point during its production run did sales exceed 26,000, and it wouldn’t be until the company unveiled its Second Generation model in 1978 that sales reached the expected total. However, a vehicle that was largely unloved when new has become one of the strongest performers in the current classic market. This Bronco would have cost its original owner around $3,000 when it rolled off the showroom floor, which was about average for a vehicle of this type. Many succumbed to catastrophic rust during the 1970s and 1980s, but those that survive command extraordinary prices. The harsh reality is that while the BIN on this classic isn’t pocket change, it sits at about the right level for a rust-free ’69 Bronco in above-average condition. When you consider how values have climbed dramatically over the past decade, don’t you wish you’d squirreled a good one away in your garage? I know that I do.