My Grandfathers 1974 Bronco (FOUND!)

[mbspark]

This is sooo awsome to read! Just remmember the Bronco wont replace your grandpa and if the current owner cant work out a fair deal then mabey at the very least a road trip is in order to see it again after all these years. My wife and i are curious as to why your Grandma couldnt have held on to it for you awhile since you clearly wanted to own it? $3500 not really alot of money. kinda reminds me why my parents have already put some of there stuff in mine and my sisters name or possesion due to other greedy relitives and half sibilings. lol We too have Muscle car family members that we hope dont leave the family accedently.

My dad convinced my Grandma to sell it. I think we were all under the impression the first buyer who bought it and lived near us wouldn't just turn around and sell it right away for a profit. I am very close with my Grandma as well, and last night I called to tell her the good news that I found it. We had a long talk and she shared how she felt sick selling it back then and hasn't been happy about her decision since. Especially since she feels like she got taken advantage of as a little ol' lady. As for why I didn't push harder, I feel the rest of my family was making me feel like I myself was taking advantage of my Grandma when I didn't want her to sell it. They said since I was in college why would I not want my Grandma to have the money. I didn't have any place to store it and who knew how long it would be until I had the funds to keep it garage and running, etc after college. I will admit I didn't realize how low of a price $3,500 was for that bronco. Of course I would do anything to get it for that price now, heck my grandma said if she would have known how things played out she would have kept it. But we don't know how life works out, otherwise we'd all be lotto winners. I just can't believe how expensive these Bronco's are these days.

 

[mbspark]

Just got pictures. I have to say I'm a little heartbroken. :-[ The fenders have been cut. After seeing the current pictures it actually takes away some of the sentimental value, because I realize it isn't the rolling memory that I had. Still exciting to find it. No talk of a price yet.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Don't despair! It looks like it has been well cared for and you can always put uncut quarter panels back on!!

 

[blamejane]

Just got pictures. I have to say I'm a little heartbroken. :-[ The fenders have been cut. After seeing the current pictures it actually takes away some of the sentimental value, because I realize it isn't the rolling memory that I had. Still exciting to find it. No talk of a price yet.

I know exactly what you mean. The front fenders on my bronco were changed to glass. I was really bummed about that. I was lucky on the other hand, most of the quirky things my dad added to the inside was still there 20 years later; whether broken or not the previous owner left them. That was a trip down memory lane for sure.

You'll feel differently once it's sunk in a little.

 

[bad 68]

Awsome you found it! To replace the front fenders and rear quarters is not brain surgery. It's quite do able. The interior looks to be in excellent condition.

Your grandma isn't the first "nice old lady" to be taken advantage of. Getting a good deal is one thing, shame on that guy, bet he still brags about it.

It sounds as if you completed college, got your degree and your making good money now.

If you can buy it I think you should. Some things in life are irreplaceable.
I didn't buy mine new but I did the frame off restoration and have had it for 20 years. I hope one of my sons ends up with it some day for I will never sell it.

 

[mbspark]

Awsome you found it! To replace the front fenders and rear quarters is not brain surgery. It's quite do able. The interior looks to be in excellent condition.

Your grandma isn't the first "nice old lady" to be taken advantage of. Getting a good deal is one thing, shame on that guy, bet he still brags about it.

It sounds as if you completed college, got your degree and your making good money now.

If you can buy it I think you should. Some things in life are irreplaceable.
I didn't buy mine new but I did the frame off restoration and have had it for 20 years. I hope one of my sons ends up with it some day for I will never sell it.

I wish I could afford it these days. I just got married in July and my wife has a bunch of student loans to pay off that we're working on, plus we're trying to live off just my salary to plan for when we want to have kids. I guess it was wishful thinking that I thought I could afford it. I was hoping my story would have been picked up through this new show that was in start-up called "Restoration Reunion" where they pair people up with their old cars. I know my story made the top 20 of submissions, but I guess I didn't make the final cut. After seeing the fenders cut, and then reading that other thread that I see one of the past owners of this same bronco say how much he made off my grandma, I'm feeling a little down. Hopefully one day there will be a redemptive ending to this story other than the huge profits all the secondary owners have made over the years.

 

[casadejohnson]

I wish I could afford it these days. I just got married in July and my wife has a bunch of student loans to pay off that we're working on, plus we're trying to live off just my salary to plan for when we want to have kids. I guess it was wishful thinking that I thought I could afford it. I was hoping my story would have been picked up through this new show that was in start-up called "Restoration Reunion" where they pair people up with their old cars. I know my story made the top 20 of submissions, but I guess I didn't make the final cut. After seeing the fenders cut, and then reading that other thread that I see one of the past owners of this same bronco say how much he made off my grandma, I'm feeling a little down. Hopefully one day there will be a redemptive ending to this story other than the huge profits all the secondary owners have made over the years.

Maybe I missed it but did they put a price on it?

 

[Hank_]

Sorry it does not look how you remember but I love how it looks now. That is one great looking bronco. Best of luck to you.

Henry

 

[americanhorses]

wonderful story and quest. I'm happy for you!!

 

[JGbronc]

On the bright side, you did find it in relatively good shape, and know that the opportunity is there. Funny thing, my Dad's old Bronco was taken back to uncut, and I was disappointed.

Fact is, it's still the same Bronco that you remember, even if it has changed.

 

[Oakland Bronco]

I guess it was wishful thinking that I thought I could afford it.

Wait, you never mentioned a price. What are they asking for it?

...and then reading that other thread that I see one of the past owners of this same bronco say how much he made off my grandma...

Is this thread here on CB or elsewhere? To be clear, I'm more interested in knowing whether the thread is on this forum, rather than asking for a link to the thread.

 

[blamejane]

Yes, I'm confused too. Wha'd I miss?

 

[Unknown]

Fine looking Bronco period! I know my Dads lil'red is likely scrap by now, so you're lucky to have found your Gramps. I think I know where my Moms Ranger is and it's been well cared for but its not for sale. Keep in touch with the owner and maybe one day...

 

[JGbronc]

Fine looking Bronco period! I know my Dads lil'red is likely scrap by now, so you're lucky to have found your Gramps. I think I know where my Moms Ranger is and it's been well cared for but its not for sale. Keep in touch with the owner and maybe one day...

Got the VIN? If so, post a new thread. You never know...

 

[Oakland Bronco]

Is this thread here on CB or elsewhere? To be clear, I'm more interested in knowing whether the thread is on this forum, rather than asking for a link to the thread.

OK, I see you quoted the post in another thread. Keep in touch with the current owner and, when your finances are right, see if you can strike the right deal. Or just buy a different Bronco that speaks to the person you are today. Either way, good luck!

 

[matts460]

Well its good to see the bronco is still in good shape. Damn shame sombody cut the fenders on it, now it looks just like every other bronco! Unfortunatly the genral story is one I've heard to many times! Being from a vintage car family and my Dad owning so many musclecars and other classics over the years and all the family friends in our car club, you tend to hear these storys all the time! My Dad already kidnapped my Grandpas 64 chevy custom pickuptruck that he bought from the local lumber yard in 69. Lumbar yard purchased it new from the local chevy dealer in 65! It was restored once in 1990 in the colors my grandma picked out at the time and then she passed in 93 from breast cancer. That truck is also one of the first interiors my Mom did back then when she was just starting out. Second to the little bench seat in my 1946 chevy shortbed that became my wife and I wedding gift from Dad.

 

[mbspark]

Yes, I'm confused too. Wha'd I miss?

Still no selling price.

I was saying above that member 'bronchitis' in your bronco thread Jane actually told a story about me. I had not read the entire thread through it's entirety today and he told a story about me looking for the same Bronco back in 2008.

 

[mbspark]

FYI...thank you guys for all the comments and support. I should never get frustrated with any of the previous owners for their intentions whether it was to sell it for what they wanted or cut it up and do with it what they want. I believe we all have that right with our own personal property. I will be bummed about how it all went down and the extra 0 tacked on to the price tag from 10 years ago. I will just keep praying for the happy ending to the story, and keep you all posted!

 

[mbspark]

$35,000 is asking price by current owner. He said he is looking to sell it this spring. That is nowhere near what I can afford. So hopefully this go round I will keep better tabs on it and maybe years down the road God will bless me with the funds to buy it back.

The cool thing of all of this is in May I'm heading back to PA from Colorado and I talked to my Grandma, (if the current owner hasn't sold it) she and I are going to road trip together and go see it. Just Grandma and Grandson road-trippin' to Vermont. I know it would mean the world to her in remembrance of the man she would have been married to for 60 years this year, and I know (Bronco or not) that I will cherish the road-trip memories with my Grandma more than the sheet metal ever could.

 

[matts460]

Right on man! Just go have fun!