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Unbelievable Bronco Story + build thread

Cortez

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 29, 2009
Messages
1,193
Edit - turning this into my build thread which starts on page 5, http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3164256#post3164256


targeting SC 2019 for her debut!

Original story is below and pages 1-4.

Weekend before Thanksgiving 2015 - I had to share with my Bronco brothers something that I cannot believe is happening. It's a slow start but the ending is incredible.

Nearly 7 years ago my wife surprised me on my 40th birthday with a project Bronco we named Charlie. Actually she punked me, the original seller and I made a deal for $2k and I was going to pick her up...so excited I didn't sleep all night. She was a solid, mostly rust free '67 and has a rebuilt 351w that was part of my criteria. So my wife has the seller call me and says he is backing out! Of course I'm bummed and on the prowl for another one, then a week later the Bronco key shows up, sticking out of my birthday cake as we celebrate my 40th with friends. What a great wife she is!

So like most of us on this forum I begin the endless hours of research to determine how I will build her. And over two years I build my trail truck...the perfect setup to cruise the highway but crawl the rocks at the same time. Late nights after the family goes to bed, till 1am wrenching on her even on nights I have work the next day...I am bordering on obsession with the project and love nothing better than working on Charlie or going to the pick and pull with my daughter for parts. I put on a 3.5 suspension lift with 1" body lift to fit 35's and an NP435. Added hydro boost from a 1998 mustang, Dana 44 front end, added power steering, a full re wire and all new interior. Long hours and long weekends wrenching with my brother in law on Charlie and lots of good Bronco friends for support and advice. Once she was running right we took her on the trails near our home in the Denver area, going on technical trails with the family, even a child car seat strapped to the back seat for my daughter. The combo of np435 and 3.50 gears got me the climbing power of a billy goat but also cruised at 75 on the interstate. She was really coming together. From this forum, myself and a handful of others (viperwolf, entourage, Airbus, rox and more) organized the Colorado Classic Broncos club and set up tech clinics and monthly breakfasts. The Bronco was a lot of fun for our family, my 3 year old daughter would help Daddy wrench, and she loved to drive on my lap in our neighborhood. And I have to say there is nothing hotter than watching my wife drive her...some kind of voyeuristic ménage et trois...it's like my wife and my girlfriend (Charlie) together. ;D

In 2010 and 2011, life took a twist. I became very sick, and was diagnosed with an incurable form of leukemia. This shock took quite some effort to accept. I was in the hospital for about 10 days, and at one point, my wife who is a nurse worked on me as her patient in the intensive care unit, and I credit her for saving my life after I acquired an infection following a surgery. I started chemotherapy in Denver and loved driving Charlie to my doctor visits, to work, and anywhere I got the chance. I made frequent trips flying to Houston to see a specialist at MD Anderson cancer center. Tons of needles and more bone marrow biopsies than anyone should experience. After my first round of chemo over 3 months I was better and the cancer cells had dropped from 98% to low and unmeasurable levels. This was good right? Then 9 months later they built back up to 45% cancerous cells in my blood and round two of chemo began. At this point I begin to understand what they mean by incurable...but am also learning that it can be manageable and that quality of life can still be good. Some fatigue, and a crappy immune system mean I just have to consider my health more than most guys my age. I'm not complaining, we all have our burdens and this is relatively minor compared to what many others have to face in their lives. I just wanted to share my story.

Obviously at this stage I am gaining a different perspective on life. You never know what can happen from day to day. Having met my wife originally in Florida, at this point in Colorado we both felt that life is too short not to pursue what you want out of life, and for us that is to live again in the land of sunshine salt water, and palm trees. Many people dream about retiring in Florida and living the good life. Well, that logic assumes you are going to live to see retirement, that you will have the means physically and financially to pursue your dream at that distant point in the future....a lot of assumptions!

So here we are, living in Bradenton/Sarasota Florida area, with Gods beauty all around us...the top beaches in the country and no snow/hail/sleet/ice. Life is unbelievably good for our family and we are blessed to have this opportunity. But we didn't get here without making sacrifices, we took a bath on the sale of our home in Colorado, left our friends and family, and liquidated most of our stuff to finance getting here. Even the unthinkable, I sold Charlie in Colorado, putting my family's needs above my own wants. After all stuff is only stuff, and when we are done here on earth the stuff stays behind and becomes meaningless. Now after 4 years without the Bronco my wife still walks by and sees me checking Craigslist or lurking on the classic bronco forums. What can I say, it's in my blood...but I've often wondered if buying another Bronco would have as much meaning as Charlie. Probably not.

So yesterday I am having my morning coffee, checking the news online and drifting around on Craigslist for fishing equipment. Just for fun I type "1967" into the search bar and what do you know...two '67 EBs in Florida pop up. I have to look, just because it's fun. Midway through the second listing I realize that I am looking at my own handiwork and Charlie is in Florida, for sale about 370 miles away in Key West. I reached out to the owners and as fate would have it, she wasn't sold yet. There were minor changes, new paint, but 90% like she was when I sold her. So, yes...my family and I are going for a road trip Monday and Tuesday to bring the old girl home again. This time she won't leave the family ever again... My daughter will get her some day, and until that day we are going to enjoy making memories as often and as long as we are able. Is there any good wheeling in Florida?

Update: THE REUNION
It was 374 miles (over 6 hours) to reach Sugarloaf Key, where we met Frank Abreu and his family who were holding Charlie for me. Frank and his son Kekoa had owned her for about 6 months and had bought the truck in Orlando from the gentleman that purchased it from me in Denver. Frank had a beautiful 68 EB rockin some 39.5 IROKS, but there was no mistake which one was Charlie. After exchanging a few Bronco stories, and a quick test drive...we swapped some cash for keys and loaded her up. The return trip was good, although it took twice as long...we were caught in traffic in Miami, then had to get roadside assistance to replace a Uhaul trailer tire...and finally arrived home about 11pm last night. Feels great to have Charlie back, and I'm already thinking about her next makeover. I'm going restomod, and this time will spring for more new parts instead of all the swap-meet and used parts from the original budget build. I may have to add fuel injection, A/C for this climate, and I love that metallic burnt orange color so maybe "when she's done" there will be a new color. Will post updates to her as I make improvements. My daughter is already making plans for when she gets old enough to drive. For now she's drivable and I'm good with that.

Thanks for all the encouraging responses I've received - this Bronco community is a great bunch of folks!
 

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Last edited:

blamejane

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
1,953
Wow, that almost brings tears to my eyes. Amazing story, can't wait to see Charlie. Congrats on getting your bronco back.
 

okie4570

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
9,229
Loc.
NW OK
If this isn't the winning thread of 2015, I don't know what is! Will be awaiting pics of the reunion :)
 

FRANKO289

Contributor
Bronco enthusiast
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
6,807
congrats !!!
its the CL listing from oct 17th ? :cool:

ps: how many months ago did you sale Charlie ?? and yeah cancer sucks !!
 

JWMcCrary

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 14, 2004
Messages
5,001
Now that's a good story and very inspirational for those going through medical hardship or just bad times. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes making the right decision for family has huge benefits in the end. Congrats to you on your outlook on life and willingness to make those decisions.
 

bronconut73

Bronco Guru
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
9,916
Photos, Photos, Photos,....

Blamejane,

I think I may have teared up a little too......
 

sprdv1

Contributor
REBEL
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
81,734
Great, great great. CONGRATS on getting a family member back.

Safe travels to you and the wife
 
OP
OP
Cortez

Cortez

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 29, 2009
Messages
1,193
Thanks for the great responses. Over 4 years since I sold her...Not sure this will work, but linking to my gallery for Charlie before and after pics.

recent


recent
 

nathan_1970

Sr. Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2010
Messages
405
Way to deal with what life throws at you!

You deserve Charlie back! That is fate if I have ever heard it.
 

okie4570

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
9,229
Loc.
NW OK
It will be interesting to find out where it's been in the last 4 years, or has it been in FL the whole time?
 

Jeff10

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
2,137
Loc.
Indianapolis
Hi Cortez,

Awesome story!

I hope your health is improving... or at least manageable as you say.

Pretty cool story about Charlie.

Think you'll sleep tonight? Enjoy your road trip.

Jeff
 

brianstrange

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
1,626
Thank you for sharing a great story! I hope you enjoy it even more now (I know you will.)

Cheers!
 
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