Introducing – Project Bronco II
One of my favorite films, “Groundhog Day,” came out while I was in college. I have without doubt watched that movie no less than 30 times. One of the signature parts of the movie is when Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, is taking a girl to a movie (Heidi 2, incidentally) where they’ve both dressed up in costumes:
Girl: “I thought we were going to a costume party.”
Phil: “It’s like I said, I love this film. I’ve seen it over 100 times.”
Girl (protesting): “Phil!”
Phil: “I told you, call me Bronco.”
Girl: “Sorry, Bronco.”
And ever since that day my friend Brandon has insisted that we, too, call him Bronco. I think it is because he also has seen Heidi 2 over 100 times.
Anyway, this post is not about my friend Brandon, or about the movie Groundhog Day.
It’s about my new Ford Bronco II. It is one sweet ride.
Project Bronco II
I found this a couple of weeks after the quest began, which was labeled as a Ranger quest, but I did also say I would consider a Bronco II. Bronco IIs are, in some ways, better (more seating, more weight over the rear wheels) and in some ways worse (much harder to haul a load of gravel). But this one met most of my primary criteria:
- It runs, pretty well actually
- Has working four-wheel drive
- Is not completely gutless (just somewhat gutless)
- It needs some work but is not a complete pile
- It has a fuel-injected 2.9L V6
- It cost $1500 exactly, so it met the requirement of being “no more than $1500″ just barely.
Getting it to pass inspection was a bit of a shocker, it cost more than I thought it would. Minor fail. And there’s a lot of work left to be done on this to even get it to looking decent, let alone being awesome. But I can envision this thing, with a 4.0L V6 or 302 swapped in, a bit of a lift, slightly larger wheels and tires, painted bright orange.
We’ll see.
