1973 Ford Bronco U15 roller with a good frame, Louisiana title and Marti report, at an Alabama Bronco auction

Why we picked it

This is lot 2227 in TAC Enterprises' online early Bronco sale on HiBid. It is a 1973 U15 wagon (serial U15R00449 per the listing) that comes with a Louisiana title, a Marti report, a new VIN plate and a new door decal. The seller says the frame is really good, the tailgate is good, the left A and B pillars are good and the right side needs a few small patches. The V8 is gone and so is the rear driveshaft; the column-shift three-speed and front driveshaft are still there.

We picked it because the paperwork is the hard part on these Alabama lots, and this one has an out-of-state title in hand. At about $1,700 with premium it is far under the $13,750-$25,500 that complete project Broncos have sold for, even after you budget for an engine. Expect the price to climb a lot before Thursday's close, as other trucks in this sale are already past $5,000, so decide your limit ahead of time.

The value check

The current bid is $1,980. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $13,750–$25,500, so the middle of the market is about $19,625. That put this car 90% under. Bids usually climb in the final hours, so the discount will likely shrink.

Recent sold first-generation Bronco projects ran $13,750 (1972 302 project, Mar 2025) to $25,500 (1970 project, Sep 2025), with a 1976 project at $31,750 and unsold project high bids of $25,000-$31,210. This truck has no engine, so it sits at the bottom of that range; the current $1,550 high bid plus the 10% premium is about $1,705, and bids in this sale usually climb hard near the close.

Where the numbers come from:

• 1970 Bronco project, sold $25,500, Sep 2025 (classic.com)
• 1972 Bronco 302 project, sold $13,750, Mar 2025 (classic.com comps)
• 1976 Bronco project, sold $31,750 on BaT, May 2025 (classic.com)

What to check

• No engine: budget $5,000-$8,000 or more for a crate 302 or Coyote swap, plus a rear driveshaft and transfer case shifter.
• Paperwork: the lot comes with a Louisiana title, but Alabama only issues a bill of sale for vehicles over 35 years old. Confirm with the auctioneer that the Louisiana title is signed over to you and that your state will title it, and check the serial against the frame and the Marti report.
• Early Bronco rust spots: rear quarters and wheel lips, floor pans, rockers and cab corners, rear frame rails near the spring hangers, the tailgate and the cowl. The seller admits rust you will notice.
• 10% buyer's premium (4% extra on cards), sold as-is where-is, payment within 7 days, pickup Mon-Fri in Moulton within 30 days or a broker shipper.
• Inspect photos closely or visit before bidding; online-only estate-style sales give little recourse.

Making it drive like new

With the engine already gone, this is a natural restomod base: a Coyote or fuel-injected 302 with a modern overdrive, Dana 44 front and 9-inch rear with discs all round, a coilover radius-arm kit, power steering and a new wiring harness. A good frame means the money goes into the drivetrain and body, not chassis repair.

4 builders make a complete chassis for the 1966–77 Early Bronco. Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.