1970 Ford Bronco

Description

We get quite a few first-generation Broncos here at Streetside, so when we tell you this is one of the finest we've ever seen, you should probably pay attention. Fully 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 ultimate gave them restorations, those are the ones that collectors cherish today. This one qualifies. 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 simple chrome bumpers are nice, the grille is straight, and the spare tire mount out back carries a proper Bronco tire cover for authenticity. And you have to love the subtlety of the charcoal gray paint with a white top.

The interior was done up to match the bodywork, with new black seat covers, white 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. That certainly explains the fat, leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as the powerful AM/FM/CD stereo system with speakers in the side panels. The original gauges are still in good condition and there's an 8-ball knob for the 3-speed manual transmission and a Hurst shifter for the transfer case. 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 spray-on bedliner 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, but with a chrome Edelbrock air cleaner atop a fresh Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor it's got a lot more power on tap. Off-roading often means slow moving, so a heavy-duty cooling system is critical, and this one sports an upgraded aluminum radiator in the nose. Long-tube headers and a custom Flowmaster dual exhaust system give it the voice of a Mustang and the suspension is augmented by a lift kit and new shocks all around. Handsome aluminum wheels add some flash and wear oversized off-road radials.

With fewer than 100 miles on the restoration, this Bronco is in top condition and 100% ready to go anywhere, anytime. Call us today!