It’s no secret that vintage Ford Broncos are some of the hottest rides in the classic truck market today.
As a result, we tend to watch a lot of meticulously restored examples fetch beaucoup bucks at major auction events. That also means we’re seeing less and less Broncos being used as Ford intended—galloping down dirt roads and crawling over rough terrain.
…Which is why we were positively giddy to see all the off-road upgrades on this tough-looking Bronco as it rumbled into the Summit Racing Retail Store parking lot a while back. What’s even better, is that this truck is wearing a set of reproduction “Roadster” doors that were a Ford factory option during the Bronco’s original production run.
Yup, this rig is definitely Lot Shots material.
The truck’s owner is Lynn Mitchell, a certified Bronco nut.
“I bought my first early Bronco 37 years ago and my last one 12 years ago. And have owned the 1979 Bronco my father ordered for 38 years,” he says, saving the best for last. “I also have a 1966 U13 Roadster built in August 1965!”
So before we go much further, let’s explain what that last statement means.
The topless Roadster (often referred to by the internal factory “U13” code) was one of the Bronco’s three factory configurations offered from Ford back in the day, complementing the half-cab pickup truck (U14) and traditional closed cab wagon (U15) options.
The Roadster was a stripped down, doorless and topless version of the trusty Bronco. To complete its sporty vibe, Ford fitted the door frames with a special pair of fiberglass molded openings to give the Roadster a unique profile.
These early-run Roasters are some of the most desirable of all the first-gen. Bronco models.
That’s because the Bronco trilogy didn’t last long very long—Ford stopped producing the Roadster version in 1968. A few years later in 1972, Ford dropped the half-cab option to allow room in the lineup for the Mazda-derived compact Courier pickup truck.
The wagon finished out the first-gen. Bronco production run through 1977.
But enough Bronco history—the one we’re particularly enamored with today is Lynn’s 1975 model. He explains that this Bronco began life as a U15 station wagon and was then modified with a Roadster conversion kit.
Turns out, the Bronco’s previous owner was a serious off-roader who did a lot of the upgrades before Lynn got it.
“He had the frame epoxy painted and installed a Kentrol fiberglass body, with a family roll cage tied to the frame, and a Cleveland engine,” Lynn says. “He ran it at the sand dunes in Michigan. The engine and transmission were removed before I bought it.”
With the drivetrain long gone, Lynn stuffed-in a 351 Windsor plucked from a wrecked 1990 F-250. Atop that original short block, the 351W now wears Trick Flow cylinder heads with an Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4 EFI system.
Behind that combo is an AOD transmission with a police car drum, Alto clutches, and shift kit, all aided by a B&M transmission cooler.
The rear axle is a trusty 9 inch with 4.56 31-spline Detroit locker, and up front is a Powertrax No-Slip diff tucked between F-150 axles.
The roll cage also supports racing-style seats, while a locking Tuffy center console keeps things secured in the open-air off-roader.
The Ford rides on 2-1/2 inch Deaver coils up front and 10-leaf springs out back, with an owner-wristed radius arm and a Hellwig front sway bar. The Bronco’s also got a custom fabricated 2-into-1 exhaust made with Summit Racing mandrel bends and a Borla muffler.
A little over a decade ago, Lynn personally re-sprayed the Bronco in Ford Wimbledon White and Light Jade single stage urethane paint. The bumpers are custom made too.
And we really like—nay, LOVE—the vintage Warn M8274 winch up front. (The skull piston on the fairlead mount is just icing on the cake here.)
Lynn’s owned this 1975 for close to 30 years and it’s been thoroughly enjoyed during that time.
“After many years trail riding with Tiretown 4-Wheelers and many makeovers, it’s mainly an enjoyable driver,” he smiles. With much of its hardcore wheeling behind it, the Bronco is enjoying a semi-retired life just cruising the boulevards and backroads of northern Ohio.
“I like to gather at Cars & Coffee and a few shows to meet people,” Lynn tells us.
And if Lynn’s rolling up in a vintage Bronco, we have a feeling those folks are happy to meet him too.
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