Ford is preparing to launch a new Bronco in the form
of a rough-and-tumble sport-ute. But as any fan of Dearborn’s trucks will tell
you, it’s not the first Bronco that Ford has made. And looking at this restomod
example, we can’t help but wonder which we’d rather have.
Built by RMD Garage out of Long Beach, California,
this classic 1969 Bronco is based on the first of five generations that Ford
has made to date – soon to be six. It’s called “Urban Madness,” but it looks better
suited towards unpaved territory than the city.
The military-style approach sees the old beast
resprayed in a matte olive paintjob. It packs reinforced Rhino bumpers, riveted
wheel-arch extensions, and a 5.0-liter V8. The
open-air cabin features orange leather upholstery with webbed inserts in the
front seats.
It rides on a big knobby set of Toyo all-terrain
tires. And it’s fitted with everything from an ax, spade, and jerry can to a
big winch on the nose. In a decidedly modern twist, it even has LED lighting to
help illuminate the road (or terrain) ahead and all around it.
We’re afraid to ask how much the customization job
cost. But we get the distinct feeling it was more than what the Blue Oval
automaker will charge for its new version once it arrives.
We’ll have to wait until then to see which one we’d
rather have. But from where we’re sitting now, this one looks pretty darn sweet
– and enough to make the likes of Jeep and Land Rover feel at least a little
threatened.
