January 9, 2020
Posted By : Barrett-Jackson
Written By : independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen

GO BRONCO: These Three No Reserve Custom Off-Roaders Are Ready For New Terrain

GO BRONCO: These Three No Reserve Custom Off-Roaders Are Ready For New Terrain

January 9, 2020
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen

1976 Ford Bronco custom SUV

This 1976 Ford Bronco (Lot #1022.1) is one of a number of stunning customized examples of the popular vehicle that will be featured at the 2020 Scottsdale Auction.

With sport-utility vehicles being the hottest segment in the new-car market, it’s little wonder that interest in vintage SUVs has also exploded in recent years, as savvy collectors realize just how much fun they can be.

For die-hard fans of the first-generation Ford Broncos from 1966-77, the 49th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, Jan. 11-19 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, is the place to be. That’s because crossing the auction block at No Reserve will be a trio of custom-built Broncos from the 1960s and ’70s.

SD20 - Lot 1106 - 1966 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_side

LOT #1106 – 1966 Ford Bronco Custom SUV

SD20 - Lot 1106 - 1966 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_engineBuilt to go where there are no roads to ease your journey, this fabulous 1966 Ford Bronco U13 was featured in Four-Wheeler magazine – and with good reason. It has had a full professional frame-off, rotisserie restoration and is ready for the toughest off-road challenges. This do-it-all SUV is equally at home in the desert or in the woods, thanks to the quality that went into the build.

The good stuff starts beneath the Bronco with a Fox 2.5 performance series front suspension and a 2.0 bypass reservoir rear suspension, riding on a 6-inch professional lift kit. Power comes from a new Ford 5.0-liter V8 Coyote crate engine with ceramic-coated headers and Borla exhaust system.

The horsepower flows from the engine through a new 6R80 6-speed electronic transmission and on to a twin-stick Dana 20 transfer case, Dana 44 front ARB air locker differential and a Ford 9-inch rear with locker 4.56 gears.

SD20 - Lot 1106 - 1966 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_interiorThe interior features custom bucket seats, 5-point racing shoulder harnesses and a custom digital dash, along with a tilt steering column and power steering. There’s a custom full-body roll cage, custom bumpers, sliders, Kenwood Excelon receiver, Bluetooth, Punch 5-channel amplifier and Rockford Fosgate M2 speaker system. The interior and bottom of the tub feature LINE-X coatings.

As if all that weren’t enough, this beautiful build is loaded with extras in the form of an onboard ARB compressor, Smittybilt X20 winch, new wiring, custom LED lighting, AutoMeter gauges, custom off-road brackets, tire carrier, hi-lift jack carrier, winter windows and custom storage boxes under the hood.

If you want to go off the road, this is the SUV to do it. And it looks good doing it, too, thanks to bright green paint and beautifully contrasting black trim and interior, which delivers exactly the right visual tone – and a bold one at that – to go with this build’s impressive mechanical specifications.

SD20 - Lot 1022.1 - 1976 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_side

LOT #1022.1 – 1976 Ford Bronco Custom SUV

SD20 - Lot 1022.1 - 1976 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_EngineWhat makes a great build? Start with a solid base vehicle and carefully choose the right components that enhance and significantly upgrade its capabilities. Add in stellar workmanship and attention to detail, along with great colors, and you have the makings of something truly special, which is what this custom Ford Bronco SUV is.

Ford introduced the Bronco in August 1965 as a ’66 model, and by 1976 the first-generation Bronco had been upgraded about as much as possible given the technology of the times. Fortunately, though, more than 50 years of automotive advancement has allowed the builders of these SUV to do things Ford’s production line could have dreamt of back in the day.

The frame-off restoration on this build was done to exacting standards to create an extraordinary vehicle. While 6-cylinder engines were standard in first-generation Broncos, this custom build has a powerful 302ci V8 engine, backed up by a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission.

SD20 - Lot 1022.1 - 1976 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_interiorThe detail and custom features in this engine compartment are impressive, to say the least, ranging from the chromed air cleaner to the custom valve covers that state, “Bronco, Powered By Ford.”

Turning to the chassis, the builders added a 4.5-inch lift kit with Bilstein shocks absorbers and Wild Horses Four Wheel Drive springs, making this Bronco suitable to be driven comfortably on- or off-road.

According to the consignor, this Bronco is winch-ready and features fabricated bumpers with integrated lights, wipers relocated to the bottom of the windshield and light bars.

One of the best features of this build is its color combination, dark blue paint in a hue known as Scurro Blue, with an attractive brown custom interior that includes heated front and rear seats, hand controls on the steering wheel, power windows, a state-of-the-art dash and an under-seat lockable gun case.

Add it all up and you have a sophisticated and well-built custom Bronco sure to please its new owner.

1969 Chevy Chevelle SS Spotlight Red -P59

LOT #1311.1 – 1977 Ford Bronco Custom SUV

1969 Chevy Chevelle SS Spotlight Red -P59Imagine designing a custom Ford Bronco from the ground up with no limits on what you can do to create something truly spectacular. Sure, this Bronco has had a meticulous nut-and-bolt, frame-off, rotisserie restoration, but that’s just the start. This one has many one-off modifications, all done to a standard not seen in any Bronco that ever rolled off the Ford factory assembly line.

The incredible bodywork includes a firewall that was raised, welded to windshield frame and smoothed. Fabricated metal fender flares were welded to the laser-straight body, which had its rear quarter ends welded to the quarter-panels, the marker lights removed and a custom pop-out gas cap cover added.

The deep and rich paint is PPG Deltron Harley-Davidson Root Beer Brown over a black base. The body color is complemented with light, tight tan top, and a custom Bronco side stripe decal highlights the smooth bodyline.

SD20 - Lot 1311.1 - 1977 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_engineAll of the glass and rubber seals are brand-new and there are loads of custom features, including windshield wipers with chrome motors, chrome mirrors, Bronco silver front grille, Oracle LED headlights, chrome tow hooks, vintage 1960s Camaro front and rear bumpers, polished aluminum door hinges, electric and illuminated running boards.

A new Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V8 crate engine with painted valve covers, pulleys, polished intake and a custom exhaust system powers this Bronco. The engine connects to a new Ford 4R70W 4-speed with overdrive automatic transmission with a PCS push-button control pad and transmission cooler. The power is transferred to the rebuilt Ford 9-inch posi-traction rear end with 4.56 gears.

The entire suspension system is new with a lift kit, custom trailering arms, Rancho shocks and Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes. For just the right stance, this Bronco rides on new Moto Metal chrome 20-inch wheels with Nitto Trail Grappler M/T 295-55-20 tires.

SD20 - Lot 1311.1 - 1977 Ford Bronco Custom SUV_interiorInside, there’s a custom roll cage painted to match the top, and a fabricated metal dash and center console. The interior was upholstered with two-tone Ultraleather, which is extremely soft to the touch. Details include Marshall white-face gauges with GPS speedometer, billet knobs, tilt steering column, custom steering wheel, billet window cranks, Vintage Air heating and air conditioning, stereo system, PCS push-button transmission control pad, auxiliary outlet, storage unit, and front and rear cup holders.

The interior, engine compartment and undercarriage are all highly detailed to the most exacting show standards.

With only 400 miles since completion, this beautiful Bronco has been recently serviced and detailed, and is now ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.

Whether you’re looking for show or go, these three Broncos are sure to get you there with style.

For up-to-date information about these and other vehicles headed to the 2020 Scottsdale Auction, click HERE.

Heritage Partners