Another 73 Stroppe

[andyp]

So next I need to find some really good carpet and seat covers. I like the carpet in this Stroppe. I don't think it original but loosely resembles the OE vinyl mat. Anyone know anything about it? Also I'd like to do seat covers that match the OE parchment but with a bit more contour or padding, TMI ?

And.....I need a better steering wheel or reproduction, Andrew ? Mine is rough from its years of sun exposure.

Just caught up on this thread. It was my truck I bought from Andrew. The original mat was completely torn up so we went with carpet that looked like parchment. We had a guy in the Bay Area (Mountain View) install it. I forgot how good that looked

 

[toddz69]

Looks awesome!! I'm continually amazed how this truck looks now compared to how it looked when found.

Todd Z.

 

[sprdv1]

love it.. thanks for sharing

And here it is at its first car show, Ford Product Development employee show last week.

 

[mjschneidy]

Just caught up on this thread. It was my truck I bought from Andrew. The original mat was completely torn up so we went with carpet that looked like parchment. We had a guy in the Bay Area (Mountain View) install it. I forgot how good that looked

Thanks Andy. When the time comes I'll seek out my local upholstery guy and see if I can do something similar. Thats a great alternative to the not available OE mat.

Good looking truck by the way, do you still have it?

 

[mjschneidy]

love it.. thanks for sharing

Thanks Super Dave

 

[andyp]

Thanks Andy. When the time comes I'll seek out my local upholstery guy and see if I can do something similar. Thats a great alternative to the not available OE mat.

Good looking truck by the way, do you still have it?

No, I sold it to a guy in Southern California. He lived pretty close to where the truck was originally sold. I think it's been sold again but not sure about that.
Andrew would have that info.

 

[mjschneidy]

Looks awesome!! I'm continually amazed how this truck looks now compared to how it looked when found.

Todd Z.

Thanks Todd, and thanks to you and Tony for saving it originally so I could have it in my collection. If you ever get tired of that fender hanging in your barn I have a spot for it in my shop. ;D

It is really interesting that this....

...is now this!

 

[mjschneidy]

There is so much untold history with this truck I really need to take the time to do some thorough research. I'm still very curious why the engine compartment was flipped 180 degrees, why I find blue paint in odd places, why the cowl was messaged and the trans tunnel cut.

Andrew....any thoughts ?

 

[Bajabrewer]

. I'm still very curious why the engine compartment was flipped 180 degrees, why I find blue paint in odd places, why the cowl was messaged and the trans tunnel cut.

Andrew....any thoughts ?

Now I'm curious! What was flipped? Converted to right hand drive? Things moved around to accommodate a bigger motor or did someone just have a "better idea".

Mike - Nice Job on bringing that back to life. I'm hoping to see it sometime this summer.

 

[mjschneidy]

Now I'm curious! What was flipped? Converted to right hand drive? Things moved around to accommodate a bigger motor or did someone just have a "better idea".

Mike - Nice Job on bringing that back to life. I'm hoping to see it sometime this summer.

Thanks but a big part of the credit goes to Todd Z for finding it and Tony (KRMAN) for getting it from the sad storage lot photos to the picture attached. Previous owner Ron B, added his touches and kept it well preserved for about 14yrs. Second photo is how I got it from Ron. I just did a lot of the detail work and freshened some previous work to take it a bit further.

In those early photos you can see the power steering pump and alternator are on the wrong side of the engine. Not sure why or how, I don't recall there ever being any SBF brackets that would have allowed that easily. Also the jack bracket was moved to the passenger side. I'm confident its had a handfull of different motors over the years, and I'd wager to guess at least one was a big block.

 

[svastano]

Looks great! Love the stories behind some of these Broncos.

 

[DirtDonk]

Do you think that was someone's early attempt to just move more weight to the passenger side for balance? If it was a racer, maybe they went to extremes to get every pound moved over.
I can see that in some classes, but if there was a passenger involved, I don't think moving weight to the other side has much merit.
But if it was an adventure rig, then maybe at some point it had A/C or an air compressor, or even a big-assed generator on the driver's side of the engine?

Ain't mysteries fun?!

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

Definitely.. Gud Racing did a ton of research and found old photos, etc for his race bronco that I went to help him pick up in Houston , Tx years ago...

Document whatever you can find

There is so much untold history with this truck I really need to take the time to do some thorough research. I'm still very curious why the engine compartment was flipped 180 degrees, why I find blue paint in odd places, why the cowl was messaged and the trans tunnel cut.

Andrew....any thoughts ?

 

[BajaBronco]

Great job with this. I love seeing it loved! I remember driving by it with Todd when we were in our 20s, and I just didn't have room for another Baja or the money for one. Since then yours has gotten steadily improved and finally thoroughly fixed up! Good job.

I'm stumped on the engine swap stuff...haven't heard of anything like that.

 

[mjschneidy]

Time for an update...

Last winter we focused on the interior, new carpet, seat covers and foam, a center console, and shoulder belts.

The tub is surprisingly very clean. Does appear as if a portion of the front foot well was replaced on both side but nicely done.

Since the original vinyl parchment mats are pretty much unobtainable right now I went with an ACC loop carpet in a sand color that looks really good with the parchment interior. Also very pleasantly surprised at how well the mass backed ACC carpet fit, looks factory installed. I did have to cut the rear and re-sew the edge piping due to the stroppe roll bar but can’t fault ACC for that. Tip - RockAuto had by far the best price on ACC carpet shipped to my door.

Seat covers are reproduction original style from Distinctive Industries. Color, sew patterns, and fit were very good. New foam. Restored all the frames front and rear.

I did make two more non production upgrades, a Lock and Load center console from Wild Horses, and shoulder belts. Intent for this truck from day one was to make it a great driver, and we drive it everywhere. Work, errands, out to dinner, my wife even drives it on her errands, we use it.

 

[mjschneidy]

Shoulder belts

For the shoulder belts I wanted belts that looked OE but didn’t want to drill holes in my Stroppe roll bar so I made these. They are tube collars with a block of 1x1 square bar stock drilled, tapped, and welded on to mount the upper anchor . Height adjustable is an added bonus.

 

[toddz69]

Nice work, Michael! I think that carpet looks great in lieu of the unobtanium mats.

Todd Z.

 

[syndicate1]

The carpet looks great! That is the exact carpet type I want, simple. Can you share Rock Auto’s part number for “Loop” carpet? I just checked their website under Ford Bronco Interior and only saw options for “Vinyl”, “Cutpile” and “Essex”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mjschneidy]

The carpet looks great! That is the exact carpet type I want, simple. Can you share Rock Auto’s part number for “Loop” carpet? I just checked their website under Ford Bronco Interior and only saw options for “Vinyl”, “Cutpile” and “Essex”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely... ACC 24771232 color 19 Fawn Sandalwood

 

[okie4570]

Looks great! Liking the carpet.