Back in the 1970s, when the Ford Bronco went from Jeep competitor to SUV before the category was a thing, the Bronco was simply a Ford truck with a dose of practicality and fun. Over time, it was interesting to see how Ford facelifted the model with aerodynamic tweaks, following the same route of Ford’s passenger cars. Our Pick of the Day is one of those aero models, a 1993 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer Edition. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hallsville, Texas. (Click the link to view the auction.)
The second-generation Ford Bronco appeared in showrooms in the fall of 1977. Before, it was a competitor to the Jeep CJ-5, but now it was competing toe-to-toe with the Jeep Cherokee and the cross-town upstart, the Chevrolet Blazer. A refresh came in 1980 and ended up being the template for what lasted through 1996. Nonetheless, Bronco fans divide these into generations, with this third-generation Bronco lasting through 1986.
The new generation that began for 1987 featured the first aero treatment for the Bronco, following in the footsteps of the 1983 Thunderbird (and coinciding with the 1987 update of composite headlamps), the 1984 Tempo (ditto the headlamps for 1986), 1985½ Escort, 1985½ Mustang SVO and the entire 1987 series, plus the completely aero 1986 Taurus. While the new Bronco was mostly the same aft of the cowl, it still followed the evolution Ford was giving most of its passenger cars.
Starting in 1989, the Thunderbird was redesigned, entering a new phase of its development. The Escort followed suit in 1991, while the Crown Victoria (by then already having shed its LTD nameplate) was given the aero treatment for 1988 and redesigned for 1992. That was the same year the fifth-gen Bronco appeared, featuring new aerodynamic revisions in front of the cowl. From behind, it looked like the Bronco from before, though, underneath the skin, there were incremental improvements made through 1996, including many car-like features such as ABS, crumple zones, an airbag, and a center brake light.
Of course, interiors received a redo as well, echoing Ford’s more organic designs. Engine choices included a standard 4.9-liter inline-six, the famous 302, and a high-output version of the 351. In 1994, the six was dropped, leaving just the two V8s.
Trim levels started with the Custom, then rose to the XLT and the upscale Eddie Bauer edition, the latter of which was restricted to a Medium Mocha interior paired with several colors including Cabernet Red, Deep Shadow Blue Metallic, Emerald Green Metallic, Raven Black, and Medium Mocha Metallic, the latter an Eddie Bauer exclusive. Standard equipment also was more generous in Eddie Bauer-equipped Broncos.
As you might have guessed, this 1993 Ford Bronco is an Eddie Bauer edition. Power comes from the top 5.8-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case. Newly finished in Deep Blue Metallic, this Bronco includes a tan hardtop, an AM/FM cassette stereo, cruise control, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, 15-inch 10-hole alloy wheels, and automatic locking front hubs. “This truck had been through a 10-month restoration [that] includes new paint, new windshield, new glass on passenger and driver side windows, [and] new tint all around,” says the seller. Also new are “BFGoodrich tires, new leveling kit, new gaskets on all doors and hardtop, new felts in all windows front and rear, new chrome, new grille, [and] new headlights and taillights,” among other features. The chassis has been hand-cleaned and undercoated.
The odometer reads 141,000 miles, but this Bronco “runs and drives fantastic, has a very tight interior and is quiet at 20 mph or 70 mph.” Insert OJ Simpson joke here or inquire with the seller. The price is $39,000.
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Source: www.classiccars.com