Vehicle Description
We get quite a few first-generation Broncos here at Streetside and
this one definitely stands out among them. Nicely restored and with
a lot of recent mechanical work to put it in first-rate condition,
it's the poster child for the old adage that it's the buyer who
ultimately enjoys the fruits of the restorer's labor.
There's no denying the appeal of the boxy Bronco, it looks like it
could climb the side of a building without complaining. So many of
them were taken into the fields, up the sides of hills, and then
abused and left for dead. However, the ones that survived, those
whose owners treated them well and ultimately gave them
high-quality restorations, those are the ones that collectors
cherish today. This one qualifies. It has never been rusty or bent,
and just one look at the bodywork says that it lived its life on
the smooth pavement rather than out in the woods. Workmanship is
quite good, although it's not over-done, so you don't have to be
afraid to drive it or even take it somewhere there's no pavement.
The point is, it's ready to go, right now, today, and looks like it
might have in 1970. The simple chrome bumpers are nice, the grille
is straight, and the tailgate wears the FORD lettering proudly. And
you have to love the contrast of the dark blue paint with white
stripes and a white top.
The interior was done up to match the bodywork, with new black seat
covers, door panel inserts, and a painted dash, working in harmony
with the black floor coverings. In truth, it looks a lot more
upscale than you'd expect in a working-class truck, but this one
has been restored with an eye towards making it a no-compromises
vehicle. The steering wheel is the original two-spoke unit with a
fat wrapper on it, but otherwise we don't see too many
modifications here. The original gauges are still in good condition
and with three-on-the-tree shifting and a T-handle for the 2-speed
transfer case, it feels sporty. And don't worry, there's still
plenty of room out back for cargo should you plunge into the
wilderness for a weekend of roughing it, with a cargo bay that's
covered in matching black carpets for durability.
Ford's 302 cubic inch V8 was the right choice in the Bronco, and a
lot of folks selected it over the standard inline-six. Backed by a
3-speed manual and two-range transfer case, it has the torque and
gearing to climb almost any obstacle, but on the city streets, it's
quick and nimble. The Ford Blue paint gives it a true corporate
look, including the original heavy-duty air cleaner atop a fresh
Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor. Finned valve covers dress things up
a bit and there are blue plug wires for some added contrast.
Off-roading often means slow moving, so a heavy-duty cooling system
is critical, and this one sports a giant radiator in the nose.
Long-tube headers and a custom dual exhaust system give it the
voice of a Mustang and the suspension is all-new, including
springs, shocks, and bushings. Stock steel wheels with plain
hubcaps are a great look, and it wears right-sized 235/70/15
Goodyear Wrangler radials.
Restored but treated properly, this Bronco is in great condition
and 100% ready to go anywhere, anytime. Call us today!