Lucas Bell 
For the past 15 years, Ford has teamed up with the folks at Barrett Jackson to auction off some of the rarest variants of their production cars to benefit charities around the United States. Despite the fact that this year’s Scottsdale Auction is going to be a little different than usual, this tradition is set to continue. This year buyers will have the chance to take home the very first 2021 Ford Bronco produced, a two-door First Edition painted in the new Lightning Blue hue. Should the new SUV be a bit too modern for your taste, you will also have a chance to take home one-of-three 1977 first-gen Ford Bronco models. Better yet, they’re going to be offered at no reserve. This is what you need to know about this off-roading fan’s dream auction event.
Let’s start with the new SUV. This 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition wears VIN# 001, and is one of just 7,000 First Edition models slated to be produced. The SUV comes complete with the desirable Sasquatch Package, which includes highlights such as 35-inch tires, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, Ford’s upgraded HOSS suspension setup, and an advanced 2-speed 4×4 system. Under the hood sits a 2.7L EcoBoost V6, which produces 310hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. That power is routed to the 4×4 system via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Other highlights include limited-edition badging, a graphics package, and a unique safari bar. The real value with this truck of course is the fact that it wears VIN# 001, which automatically makes it a collectors item. For that very reason, expect this one to command quite the final hammer price.
According to Barrett Jackson, 100% of this SUV’s hammer price will be donated to the National Forest Foundation and Outward Bound. If you are interested in bidding on the SUV yourself, it carries Lot # 3008 and is expected to sell at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27.
If the 2021 Ford Bronco isn’t necessarily for you, perhaps one of these three first-gen offerings is more your speed. All three of these SUVs are from the 1977 model year, which was the final year of production for the early Bronco. Better yet however, none of these SUVs have been modified, which is becoming harder to find these days. The first of these Ford Broncos to cross the auction block will be a Midnight Blue Metallic model, one of just 2,104 produced. It was originally sold here in Detroit, and recently underwent a full restoration. Options include air conditioning, power steering, power brakes and a 4.11 rear differential. Inside, the Ranger Package brings a beautiful houndstooth material for the seats and trim. Under the hood sits the legendary Ford 302 V8 engine, which is mated to an old-school slush box.
The second first-gen Ford Bronco on offer is even rarer than the Midnight Blue Metallic model. That is because the SUV is painted in Jade Glow Green, one of just 595 in the color. The SUV shares the same powertrain as the blue one, but is optioned differently. The SUV retains power steering and power brakes, but there is no A/C and now the rear end is geared with a 3.50 ratio. This Jade Glow Green example does include the Ranger Package as well, with a slick green interior.
The last first-gen Bronco in this lineup is the rarest of all three however. Finished in the iconic Wimbledon White hue, it is just one of 531 built that way in 1977. The color looks awesome on this SUV, despite the fact that it’s best known for being applied to Mustangs. As far as options goes, it is spec’d out just like the Jade Glow Green car, albeit without the green interior. Instead you get a more traditional tan color, which looks ace when combined with the Wimbledon White.
Should you want to bid on any of these old-school off-roaders, they will carry lot numbers 1001, 1001.1, and 1001.2. The reason that they are numbered like that is probably rather simple: one person is likely going to decide to buy all three. Now that isn’t how Barrett Jackson necessarily intends for this to go, but we all know how auctions pan out. That said, it is worth noting that none of these SUVs will carry a reserve price. That should help to make things a bit more interesting, but we don’t think that is going to translate into a low sales price by any means.
Be sure to check into Barrett Jackson’s 2021 Scottsdale Auction, which takes place from March 20-27, 2021. It may not be in person like usual, but there’s no denying that the quality of vehicles on offer hasn’t faltered a bit.
