Hemmings Find of the Day – 1986 Ford Bronco II XLT

Published by Mike on February 12, 2016

The performance vehicle scene has sleepers – cars and trucks that belie their true capabilities with a facade of normality – and as we can see from this 1986 Ford Bronco II XLT for sale on Hemmings.com, so does the unrestored originals scene. With its faded paint, it may at first glance look like a used car lot refugee, but in fact it’s got less than 1,000 miles on its odometer and a rather pristine interior and engine bay. From the seller’s description:

635 Actual miles. V6, 5 speed manual trans, 4 wheel drive. 100 percent ready to drive mechanical condition. Interior looks brand new. Underside looks new. No rust in body panels or chassis. Originally donated by Ford to Montana State University for teaching engine diagnostics for eight(?) years and then stored in a warehouse. Was sold to a used car dealer in 2006. Was not running and the dealer was unable to repair it so it sat in a field until I purchased it in 2015 and transported it to GA where it was mechanically refurbished by a reputable repair shop (removed heads, cleaned stuck valves, replaced bent push rods, replaced head bolts, drained and cleaned fuel tank, replaced fuel sender module, flushed fuel lines, replaced fuel primer pump in gas tank, replaced ruptured fuel pressure regulator, replaced spark plugs and wires, replaced distributor cap and rotor, replaced faulty breakers and fuses, replaced missing exhaust pipes, replaced belts, hoses, gaskets, flushed brake lines, and installed new rear wheel cylinders, and replaced bad dash light bulbs), replaced rear hatch struts, and checked all other parts. I have most of the original parts – belts, hoses, tires, etc.- even the original oil filter. I have the Montana title and the current Georgia title.
Flaws: Faded dash over instruments with 2 cracks. Surface rust on body (no dents or scratches). Air conditioning system checks good but needs Freon. Seat belts mismatched (from factory) and belt plastic holders have broken plastic. Catalytic converter “Y pipe” replaced without converters.