The Bronco was originally promoted as an all-purpose vehicle, something that anyone from any walk of life could find a use for—and, they did. From farmers and ranchers to surfers, skiers, explorers and trail hounds, the Bronco helped people work and play no matter their need. To fill the needs, the Bronco was offered in various body styles lending the versatility customers grew to expect from Ford vehicles. Bronco was also a gamble on Ford’s part—it was stepping into a market dominated by Jeep, a company surrounded by loyal customers who ate, slept and breathed Jeep. Ford’s bet was that its customers were just as loyal and interested in an off-road, all-purpose vehicle from Dearborn. Lee Iacocca, vice president of Ford at the time, was all too sensitive to the bet being placed and told the developers, Donald Frey and Paul Axelrad, to build it on the cheap and quick. They did, while working simultaneously on the Mustang project, which was gobbling up scads of cash. In 1963, clay models were unveiled, Ford bosses were impressed and the green light was given. Ford had an answer to not only the Jeep CJ, but the International Harvester Scout, Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover. This 1967 Ford Bronco offers a fantastic blend of modern and classic. A frame-up custom build, the Bronco is powered by a modern Ford Coyote 5.0L V-8 engine with an automatic transmission. An aluminum radiator keeps the powerful mill cool while a custom ceramic-coated exhaust system provides a terrifically authoritative note. With the Bronco sprung by a custom suspension with Bilstein shocks, Dana 44 differentials have been installed and Wilwood disc brakes scrub off speed and keep things in check. Finished in dark gray with a silver pinstripe, the outward appearance of the Bronco is aggressive but engaging; custom touches abound including the roll bar, steel bumpers, headlights and rear tire carrier. A Smittybilt winch helps keep the Bronco, and others, from getting stuck, and power side steps help with ingress-egress into the higher-profile vehicle, which rolls on polished 17-inch Mickey Thompson wheels shod with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. The interior is fully customized with bucket seats, a center console, custom upholstery, power windows, power locks, Vintage Air, Classic Instruments gauges nestled into the dashboard, a tilt steering column and a Pioneer sound system with shallow-mount subwoofer and iPad integration.
