The story of my '69 Ford Bronco. I was born in 1973, my bronco rolled of the assembly line sometime in 1969. Let me tell you how I got my hands on this piece of history.
I was told by my grandfather, that he bought a brand new 1967 Bronco and loved driving it around. In 1969, a friend of his purchased a new 1969 Bronco. In another year, the friend with the newer Bronco needed some money so they traded and my grandfather ended up with the '69 and he had my grandfathers '67 Bronco. Well, ever since that day my grandfather drove this Bronco, while changing cars for the rest of his family. He drove it to work everyday and took it hunting on the weekends. None of the trips where long or hard. He maintained the vehicle when necessary and the rust problems that the old Fords experienced where dealt with. Every few years the rocker pannels where replaced with fresh metal and occasionally the supports behind the door hinges where replaced......
To make a long story short, I purchased the Bronco in the Summer of 1996 shortly before my grandfather passed away. I will now drive and maintain the family vehicle.
The Bronco has had little modification over it's lifetime. The rear wheel wells have cut-outs. The front has coil-over shocks. It rides on some very old 31" Nylon belted tires. The front bumper was extended forward to make room for the old 8,000 pound winch. All of the winches drive train and electric motor sit under the bumper and to the right side of the winch itself. The engine is the original 302 with dual exhaust, only 75,000 miles on the odometer. The transmission is the original 3-speed with the column shift still working. I just updated the universals on the front drive shaft to use spicers and replaced the front drive shaft. The wipers are still vacuum opperated, there is even a vacuum booster pump just for the wipers that is part of the fuel pump!!! The factory AM radio still works. For saftey, I installed a full roll-cage and seatbelts. Oh and the rear tire carier was not available in 1969 but was added later by my grandfather.
My future plans are to get the Bronco to California so that I can drive it. Right now it is being stored in my parents garage in Indiana until I find room for it here in CA. This is the reason for the roll-cage and seatbelts. I don't want to die driving it on the CA highways. Durring the summer I will ditch the hardtop and doors for some real open-air fun. I am glad that the Emmission standards are somewhat relaxed for old vehicles, because I love to see these old classics maintained.
