1974 Ford Bronco

Description

This unusual little trucklet is a great way to generate a ton of attention. First-generation Ford Broncos are red-hot right now, so imagine showing up in this 1974 example with its custom cab and mini pickup bed! It's also a ton of fun to drive and ready to play off road with a few smart upgrades like a 351 cubic inch V8, heavy-duty suspension, and gorgeous paint.

Finished in beautiful Sunset Orange (a Camaro color), there's no sneaking around in this Bronco. The paint job was done just last year, and the goal was to build a show truck that wouldn't mind bouncing around in the dirt. The panels are quite straight, which is critical for a good foundation, and this has never been a rusty truck that needed major surgery to get back into shape. The modified cab and bed have turned it into a somewhat practical little hauler, although the Bronco was never destined to haul sheets of plywood, and the look is rather appealing. The top is a fiberglass piece that has been painted to match the bodywork, which emphasizes the compact dimensions and custom look, and the overall fit and finish shows a thoughtful builder rather than something thrown together on a whim. Black fender extensions allow for some seriously big rubber, and stock bumpers with a satin black finish are ready for action and require exactly zero maintenance and fussing. The bed is protected with spray-in bedliner material and offers a full-sized spare and locking storage compartment. This is one truck you'll never have to worry about when you're out having fun.

The snug 2-seat cockpit has been upgraded with a set of custom bucket seats that are vastly more comfortable than the original stools. There's also a custom center console with more useful storage space inside as well as a pair of cup holders. Diamond plate flooring adds to the rough-and-tumble attitude and is easy to maintain when you're playing in the dirt. Gauges are original and a little faded, and they're joined by big auxiliary gauges under the dash and a column-mounted tach to monitor the stout 351 up front. A three-speed manual transmission is fitted with a Hurst shifter and cue ball knob, with the second lever on the floor controlling the 2-speed transfer case, which you'll probably use if you want to explore this truck's limits. A small-diameter steering wheel with a fat rim looks right in the '70s truck, and an AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo will keep you adequate entertained when you're not splashing around in the mud.

You could get your Bronco from the factory with a 302 cubic inch V8, which makes it rather easy to slide a 351 Windsor V8 under the hood today. Those extra cubes translate into big torque and it's still a neat fit in the Bronco's engine bay. It wears an Edelbrock intake manifold, Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and finned "Bronco" valve covers as dress-up, but otherwise it looks pretty OEM. Its off-road heritage is visible in the mini cooler for the power steering fluid and big radiator, and there are obvious signs of recent maintenance. Underneath, the chassis is sold and you'll have no worries about plunging into the brush with it, and the 351 sounds great exhaling through the dual exhaust system that ends with chrome tips behind the rear wheels. A new clutch and flywheel make it smooth and easy to shift while power front disc brakes and power steering mean those giant tires aren't a challenge. Custom aluminum wheels wear giant BFGoodrich off-road radials which give it a butch look and plenty of ground clearance.

Beautifully built and only lightly used since it was completed, this is a high-quality early Bronco with the right look and lots of power. Call today!