What is the best year early Bronco to buy?

Every early Bronco from 1966 to 1977 shares one body and one 92-inch wheelbase, so the year you choose is mostly a choice of mechanical parts. Ford improved the truck in steps, and each step is a natural cut-off for a buyer.

The upgrades and when they arrived

• 1969: the V8 grows from 289 to 302 cubic inches.
• 1971: the Dana 44 front axle replaces the lighter Dana 30.
• 1973: a three-speed automatic and power steering become available, and the base six grows from 170 to 200 cubic inches.
• 1976: front disc brakes replace drums.
• 1977: fuel filler doors, the only visual change of the last year.

Best to drive: 1976 and 1977

These have every factory improvement, including the front discs that earlier trucks lack. The 1976 and 1977 pages show what is on offer. They are not the cheapest years.

Best to collect: 1966 to 1968

The first three years are the only ones with all three body styles, including the roadster, which was dropped after 1968, and they are the 289 years. The 1966 also has first-year standing. The trade-off is the Dana 30 axle, drum brakes and a manual gearbox. The most collectible years goes into the detail.

Best value: 1973 to 1975

These have the automatic, power steering and the Dana 44 but not the disc brakes, and Ford built plenty: more than 20,000 in both 1973 and 1974 by either published count. A truck from these years that has been converted to front discs gets you close to a 1976 for less.

Condition beats year

• Rust in the floors, rockers and lower body costs more to fix than any year-to-year difference.
• Uncut rear fenders matter to buyers who want an original truck.
• Check that the frame number matches the title. See where the VIN is on an early Bronco.

The Bronco buyer's guide has the full inspection list.