My very first vehicle was a 1972 Ford Bronco! It was a half cab model that my Dad paid $2,000 for in 1987. I have since owed and restored two more Broncos, which I posted about in an earlier blog post that you can review here. I won't rehash all of the details, but at the present time I do not have a Bronco under my garage. They are awfully fun vehicles to work on and play with, but they can also be very expensive. Here are some pictures of the Bronco's that I have owned.
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| 1972 1/2 cab. Total project cost- $4,500 (est) |
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| 1976 Sport- Total project cost- $8,500 (est) |
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| 1976 Ranger- Total project cost- $15,500 |
As you can see, the project cost increased with each Bronco that I restored. The first one was restored in 1987, while the last one was restored in 2002. Today's prices are even higher. Good luck in finding a Bronco that doesn't need a lot of work, and if you do you can expect to pay a pretty penny to bring her home. Being a family man with a wife and two children, does not make it very practical to own such an expensive hobby right now!
I'm writing all of this to tell you that the Ford Bronco has a special place in my heart and will always be my dream vehicle. I have often joked that if I won the lottery or came into a bunch of money by some other means, that I would buy another Bronco and spare no expense making it exactly what I wanted it to be. Well, the other day I stumbled upon exactly what I would consider to be the perfect Bronco and the one Bronco that I would purchase if I had unlimited funds. Let me introduce you to the ICON Bronco!
Icon 4x4 is a company based out of California that specializes in the re-construction of classic 4x4 vehicles. They have made Jeeps, FJ's and are now trying their hand at the "iconic" Ford Bronco. What makes this thing so special? They have taken the body and styling of the classic Ford Bronco and put it on steroids! Everything has been redesigned and built to be way better than the original. It has a whole new suspension package and the hood is stuffed with Ford's 5.0 liter Mustang motor.
Even the interior got a face lift with modern A/C and features!
This is a vehicle that can be driven as a daily driver, but can also perform in any off-road condition. I can see myself in one of these!
So what does one of these little beauties cost? Depends on the color that you want and which features that you choose to include in the base package. They pre-sold the first 10 models in order to have money for research and development, so there is about a two year waiting list before you can actually sign the title. If you can stand the wait, then you can own this Bronco of your dreams for only....
$150,000.
Who says you can't put a price on your dreams!!
7 comments:
Well, that number about does it for me!
Me too Ian! You can actually build a very nice Bronco with a complete frame off restoration and all new parts for about $45-50K. Just depends on how wild you want to go!
Great post about an awesome American workhorse (no pun intended)..a good friend had a '76 and we took that thing everywhere fourwheeling..I can see the attachment..Phil
I think your very first one was the coolest of them all. I remember how proud you were of that first set of wheels...well, the first kind with a steering wheel. I also remember (not fondly) the red one leaving you on the side of the road a few times! If I win the lottery or find a bundle of money I'll buy you a new one...probably not the
$150thou though!
Sweet ride...hey there's always the lotto, I'm gonna hit that baby yet :)
I'm dreaming of building another 5.0 mustang, late 80s vintage...and my kids are getting older...one of these days ;)
Awesome ride, but way out of my league! Your restorations look really nice Trey. I've given up on a full resto of my Scout. I'm content with the mild refurbishing approach. That way when I drag a tree limb down the side of it or bog it down, I won't feel so bad ;)
I think if you say the price fast enough...it doesn't seem too steep ;)
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