The Pick of the Day is a 1970 Ford Bronco listed by a California dealership on ClassicCars.com.
Classic SUVs have gotten more popular over the past several years. On one hand, that means many of them have been rescued from barns and restored to (sometimes better than) their former glory. On the other hand, a lot of them have also been so beefed up with lifts and aftermarket wheels and tires that it’s hard to see the original Bronco within all of the mods. As our Pick of the Day, this 1970 Ford Bronco seems to land somewhere between those two ends of the spectrum.
As part of a nuts-and-bolts restoration, this first-generation Bronco‘s frame was powder-coated. The bodywork was media-blasted, then covered with fresh Wimbledon White and Vista Orange paint, which was given a five-year protective ceramic coating about a year ago. That high-contrast combination leaves this instantly recognizable as a classic Bronco.
Clearly, this ’70 model has also been modified. However, the upgrades go well together and give this rig more presence without making it an overwrought distraction. Underneath the refreshed body is a Dana 44 front axle and a locking rear Auburn Gear unit. A 2.5-inch lift has been installed, which helps fit the up-sized white wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s.
The cabin benefits from modern equipment as well. The front bucket and rear bench seats are covered in tan leather and red plaid inserts. Whether the removable hardtop is on or off, staying cool is easier thanks to a Vintage Air climate control system. If the wind noise gets to be too loud during open-air driving, there’s a vintage-look Bluetooth stereo connected to four speakers and a Bazooka Bass Tube.
Whoever built this Bronco put in a BluePrint Engines 302 V8, which matches the displacement and cylinder count of the 1970 Bronco’s optional engine. Of course, they also added equipment from this decade, including throttle-body fuel injection, a Holley ECU, and ceramic-coated headers. In addition, they upgraded the transmission to an AOD four-speed automatic and installed power Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes to make sure this Bronco can be reined in. If you want to make sure it doesn’t gallop into someone else’s stable, get ready to pony up $145,000.
Click here to view the listing for this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com.
