There’s an argument to be made that Jeep invented the personal 4x4 but Ford made it fun with the Bronco. Ford got the Bronco exactly right from day one, a functional, fun, attractive off-roader that could go just about anywhere but was equally happy bopping around town. A little bigger, a little more sophisticated (not much!), and a bit more powerful than the venerable Jeep CJ, it did everything better. Today, early Broncos are red-hot collectables as enthusiast realize that the supply of clean body tubs is very finite and the look is unlike anything else on or off the road. Add in a long, long list of aftermarket upgrades, V8 power, and general Blue Oval awesomeness, and you get a 4x4 that is probably long overdue for A-list celebrity status.

And if you’re talking celebrity, nothing attracts more attention than this stunning 1969 Ford Bronco sport roadster. Tall, heavy-duty, and beautifully finished, it embodies the go-anywhere vibe that Broncos have always exemplified but turns it all up to 11. More power, more suspension, more tire, and more eyeball appeal. The truck itself comes from long-term ownership with a comprehensive professional freshening in 2015. Experts will note that the VIN starts with ‘U15’ which means this was originally a wagon, not a sport roadster, but when it was restored the U13 sport roadster door inserts were installed and obviously the roof was ditched in favor of open-air partying. The beautiful dark blue metallic paint really looks right on the squared-off Bronco bodywork and we’re afraid the lights in our studio just don’t do it justice, because it’s spectacular out in the sun. There are a few other fiberglass body parts, including the cowl induction hood and front fenders, all upgraded in the name of durability when things are at their most extreme. It also received a set of industrial-looking fender flares, diamond-plate rocker guards, and that butch front bumper with integral light bar and tow hooks. A light bar bolted to the windshield frame looks right for heading out into the brush, but it is not hooked up for legal and safety reasons. And we have to admit that we love the jerrycan strapped to the back of the truck, rounding out it’s go-anywhere vibe.

The interior is minimalist, as you’d imagine, but if you’re soft enough to need luxury and comfort, you’re not shopping for a Bronco. The good news is that everything is brand new, including the sculpted bucket seats that hold you in place rather well and are weather proof enough to survive in the open-air Bronco. There’s also a matching rear bench and we’ll vouch for the fact that a family of four can have a lot of fun in this truck. The entire tub was covered in spray-on bedliner material that’s color-matched to the bodywork, along with the dash and transmission tunnel. Factory-style gauges have aftermarket silver faces that look updated without losing the Bronco feel and the big three-spoke steering wheel is easy to grab under the worst of conditions. A familiar automatic shifter lever lives on the steering column and is linked to a rebuilt C4 3-speed automatic transmission, while the twin levers on the floor manage the 2-speed transfer case and allow you to switch between 2H, 2L, 4H, and HL, which will surely come in handy off-road. And even though there’s no sound-deadening, the powerful Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo with speakers under the dash sounds great even at speed. And there is a bikini top for the front seat occupants, good enough to keep the sun and most of the rain off you when you’re out having fun, but if you’re doing it right, the weather doesn’t really matter in a Bronco.

Performance is more than entertaining thanks to a built 289 cubic inch V8 living under the hood. Not radical, because what you want is power and reliability, but it’s a lot of fun to crank it up and run down the road—the power-to-weight ratio is impressive. There’s a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor up top and it’s been tuned properly so it starts easily and idles well, and with an HEI-style electronic ignition system, it should stay that way for years to come. A few billet aluminum pieces add a bit of flash, and the block was painted black for easy maintenance. Of course, for a vehicle built to go off-road, you need a lot of cooling system, and this Bronco features a gigantic 4-core radiator up front with an engine-driven fan that’s still the best way to go if you want to move a lot of air. Power steering and power front disc brakes make the big tires very manageable on- or off-road, and those systems are entirely new as well. The entire drivetrain has only a few hundred miles so it’s sorted and ready to party.

The aforementioned C4 3-speed automatic transmission is easy to use and makes a lot of sense bot on and off the pavement because you’re going to want both hands on the wheel. Shifts are snappy and with the tall tires, it cruises easily at modern highway speeds without feeling busy. The front axle has a Dana 44 with 4.11 gears inside while the beefy Ford 9-inch in back is full of 4.10s, which is how you’re supposed to do it. The frame has been fully boxed and reinforced, and there’s a 4-inch lift kit for the suspension, which also includes dual shocks at each corner. Beautiful chrome long-tube headers feed a custom Flowmaster exhaust system, so this Bronco sounds more like a Mustang than a truck, and you can see that the floors, support braces, and other critical parts are in excellent shape. Everything underneath was also coated with spray-on bedliner, so don’t worry about getting dirty in the mud, and there’s a new gas tank hanging out back. Beautiful 17-inch alloy wheels with black centers add a muscular look, especially with those giant 35x12.50R17 off-road radials.

We’ve been involved with high-quality Broncos for a number of years now and this one is perhaps the most entertaining one we’ve ever had. If you like the raw experience, the thrill of horsepower versus the terrain, and a no-frills attitude, this one is a winner. And we’ve rarely driven a vehicle that attracts this much attention, on the street or off. Call today!