1976 FORD BRONCO EXPLORER

1976 Ford Bronco Explorer Description

1976 FORD BRONCO
- ORIGINAL 'EXPLORER' MODEL
- ORIGINAL PAINT / COLOR CODE S = 'Midnight Blue Metallic'
- 302 V8 ENGINE
- 3.50 LIMITED SLIP GEARING
- 4 WHEEL DRIVE
- AIR CONDITIONING
- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- FACTORY POWER STEERING / factory quick ratio
- FACTORY DISC BRAKES
- FACTORY POWER BRAKES
- ORIGINAL BLUE EXPLORER FLOOR MAT / front to back
- ORIGINAL SEATS FRONT AND REAR (some tears on drivers seat)
- HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION
- DUAL TANKS
As for the Bronco's history, I do know the original owner was a State Farm Insurance agent out of Alexander, Arkansas. The original owner purchased the Bronco new out of Memphis, Tennessee out of a
local Ford dealership.
The insurance agent sold the Bronco in 1984 to a family in Arkansas who owned it ever since. I ended up buying the Bronco thru a second party helping the 2nd owners. After purchase, I ended up contacting them to retrieve any history I could learn. From what they could remember, the Bronco had an engine rebuild from either a Ford dealership or a local shop due to a 'recall' style event with that 1976 motor back then?
They thought the motor was done in 1984 from what I remember them telling me? Then along the way the transmission was rebuilt before I purchased the Bronco so both the motor and transmission have been rebuilt. I bought the Bronco with big intentions on keeping it forever, I went through a few things of maintenance, cleaning up the interior, its appearance and just getting it all clean up and preserved.
The Bronco was stored for awhile so I did end up having to do the rear main seal so there are no major oil leaks down below. I asked the mechanic to note anything he noticed, he told me the engine looked really good internally. He noted the cleanliness inside the oil pan, no gunk or build up and he noted that the engine had some stamped or written #'s on the main caps like a knowledgeable professional did the engine rebuild. He also noted that the rear main seal he replaced was a 'rope style' which are dated to either 1984 or maybe as late as 1986 so he said the motor recall / re-build definitely happened prior to those dates and they did a good job.

As for any rust, this Bronco is pretty lucky in that arena. The only stand out spot of rust is on the passenger side rocker just at the bottom, measures about 4 or 5" long and it appears to be from a plugged drip hole towards the front? There is also a line of rust on the inside body seam down by the e-brake wall where the factory spot welds a pocket together. The floors seem to be pretty solid although one side has appearance below of the standard seam starting to split but fixed with a sealant. The inside corner of the engine bay has a little sign of rust on the passenger side.
The inner fenders behind the door hinges usually get rusted and this Bronco is clean there on both sides. The body exterior body seams are very clean and free of any rust. The tailgate is clean and free of any rust. The body is in very nice condition other then a few little dings and some chips in the paint. I did notice the previous owner went through the whole bronco using silicone sealant on any openings on the body, inside the hardtop, around the tail lights, little factory holes in the engine compartment etc, he went to town sealing any areas he could find to seal out any leaks or air or water.
As for paint, it is the original paint, color code S which is Fords 'Midnight Blue Metallic' a fairly rare and unique color. There are a few dings n scratches around the body but overall it is in very good original condition. I love the original paint and I love the color which still has a very nice patina. There are some nicks n scratches but the Bronco definitely holds its original character.
The Bronco's motor fires up nicely and choke works well. I think it runs a tiny bit rich but could be tuned up with carb easily. Motor idles nicely, runs smooth down the road. One thing I would say it could use is a u-joint replacement in the rear drive shaft one day, they have a little play when engaging into drive. The steering is very easy and responsive and drives straight down the road. Both fuel tanks operate. All the lights and signals and heater blower etc all work. Dash panel is nice and matches the exterior of the Bronco which is part of the factory Explorer accent. Driver seat does have some little tears in it but seat is still comfortable. There is a line crack in the glass of the speedometer cluster. Hmm not sure what else to describe in this category but please ask any questions if need be?
Originally the Bronco was ordered with AC but is currently not charged and is partially disconnected.
The radio I believe to be the stock radio that came in the Explorer model? The floor mat is original and in good shape. The Bronco still retains the 2 front '76 bi-centennial floor mats' which are in great shape and I believe those came just specific to the 76 Explorer Broncos?
The Bronco comes with the original 'OwnerCard', the original 1976 owners manual / bag and a few other receipts, paper work and a few original documents received on the original purchase date of 2-16-76.
Why we are selling it, well the Bronco still retains the last owners title. We have been busy for the last 2 years working on the Bronco a bit but mostly getting the house ready, we had our baby boy Lucas last October. We really would like to build a pool for him which is why we are selling the Bronco.
Uncut broncos are very unique and hard to come by, original paint broncos are very unique and very hard to come by and this being a 1976 Explorer Bronco with all those very unique and hard to find details, it makes it very hard to sell but we must to make some other priorities happen.
I took about 60+ photos and was so hard to narrow it down to the limit of 24 pictures for the ebay ad.
Please email me with any questions or requests of any specific photos and I will do my best to provide them. It is so hard to describe and photo the Bronco in its entirety, so we hope any flaws and conditions are shown and described to help assist your decision in the purchase. Please email with any questions.
Happy Bidding : )