Anyone who’s anyone in Hollywood drives a classic or restomod Ford Bronco. It’s time well-heeled Aussies did likewise, and this perfect 1972 example shows why
In Queensland, there’s nothing better than having a convertible four-wheel-drive,” says Paul Murray, the brains behind Early Broncos Australia.
SEE MORE: Car news
“The Ford Bronco was the SUV of the 1960s and 70s, so you’ve got retro appeal, they’re a unique cool-looking car, and people just love the jump-in style open roof.”
Paul’s telling me this as we look over his immaculate, nut-and-bolt restored 1972 Boxwood Green Bronco at Coolangatta’s Cooly Rocks On Festival. There’s a constant stream of enthusiasts around his boxy 4×4, peering into the perfect parchment trimmed-cabin, admiring the open-air seating and sparkling chrome switchgear on a colour-coded dash.
It’s a car that perhaps signifies American off-road adventure and freedom better than any other. You want to corral your three best mates, chuck camping and surf gear in the back, and power off along a rocky, dusty desert road. The all-terrain rubber and low-range shifter suggest such a safari would prove no bother for this round-eyed beauty.
Expensive tastes
These iconic first-generation Ford Broncos, built from 1965 to 1977, are worth megabucks today. They were never sold in Australia (although third-gen Bronocs were from 1981-87), and Paul reckons under 100 of the early generations have been privately imported here, making them hugely sought after.
Can you imagine how superb Ford America showrooms looked in the mid-60s? The new-ish and game-changing Mustang was offered in numerous, ever-tougher and sportier styles, and beside were these slab-sided body-on-frame Broncos ready for go-anywhere fun. The 4x4s were available as a two-door removable hard top Wagon (as here); Sports Utility Pickup, or – in rarest form – a doorless, roofless Roadster.
Paul brought in his ’72 Bronco Ranger from the States to serve as a daily driver. It also helped relive his youth.
“When I was 20 I lived in the Northern Territory at the US Air Force base there,” the now 57-year-old says.
“The Americans would bring their own cars over, and I ended up buying one for $900. I had no idea what I was driving; all I knew was it was good on the beach, and I fell in love with it.”
Fast forward almost 40 years and, after selling his childcare company, Paul had the funds to pursue his passion project. This didn’t just mean restoring a Bronco, but forming Early Broncos Australia to actually build right-hand-drive versions in Queensland, individually constructed and fully compliant, with the chassis and drivetrain coming from renowned specialist Kincer Chassis in Tennessee.
Ford’s modern crate engine – a Gen 3 Coyote 5.0-litre V8 – is used, pushing out a chunky 460hp. Back in ’66, a 289 V8 in factory Bronocs managed just 200hp.
These box-fresh Broncos feature a 10-speed auto gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension and roll cage. Then, the party piece. Local specialist South Coast Customs Fabrication build and fit the Bronco’s steel body panels, handle all the engineering and sort the essentials, from brakes to air conditioning. Then it’s off to specialist local trimmer Trim FX to sort the upholstery, using fancy Nappa leather.
Restomod brilliance
The result is off-the-charts restomodding, and there’s a price to match. Much like Singer reimagines Porsche 911s for millionaire clients, this is the Bronco equivalent. Early Bronco Australia asks from $580,000 for a turnkey example, with your choice of body colour and personalisation, of course.
The Aussie company’s first effort was a left-hand-drive version, before arranging with Kincer to re-engineer the chassis and right-hand steering specifically for our market. “Our first one sold for just over $400,000,” Paul says. “It ended up bright pink, and went to a lady on the Sunshine Coast who also has a Ferrari; this is just the other toy.”
There’s apparently capacity to build six of these high-dollar Broncos to order each year; “We have bodies in boxes ready to assemble,” Paul explains. There’s obvious appeal of a 2025-build 1966 Bronco with modern performance, reliability and goodies like electric windows and heated seats, but there’s also nothing quite like an original.
Paul’s 1972 Bronco was partly used as a template to engineer the new vehicles, and given a full nut and bolt resto at the same time. “It was in good condition, but once it was pulled back and sandblasted, there were secret little spots of rust in corners we had to cut out,” says Paul.
“The tailgate and two doors were simply replaced rather than spend the hours fixing the rust. There are several suppliers in the States where you can buy absolutely everything. You can buy that whole vehicle in parts.”
Showroom good
Everything about this ’72 Bronco looks box fresh. The largest motor for the time, a 4.9L 302 small block V8, sits in a glistening engine bay, looking exactly as you’d expect only 50km after a total rebuild. It’s mated to a column shift auto, there’s power steering, four wheel disc brakes and vintage air conditioning.
These Ranger grades, introduced in 1972, were the range-toppers featuring white bumpers and white wheels. The roll cage and Bimini soft canvas top match the light bright interior, while the skinny steering wheel and lashings of chrome and “Bronco” badges are wonderfully of the period. That green body colour is subtle, but oh so perfect for the retro look.
The Ranger grade also scored hubcaps back in ’72, but Paul has only recently sourced some replacements from the US, thanks to our old friend the internet. “I managed to find a set of original hubcaps that have been sitting in a shed in boxes in the US for 25 years. They’re arriving next week.” Not that this Bronco needs them aesthetically – it looks magnificent on its white wheels with nuts and hubs fully on show. The tailgate-mounted one looks especially excellent.
“I’ve only put about 50 miles on it, as we only finished it last week,” Says Paul. “It’s just beautiful to drive. It’ll do 100km/h on the M1, with just a finger on the steering wheel, and it sits really good on the road. That said, these old original Broncos aren’t the most comfortable. You run over a cigarette and you’ll feel it with the short wheelbase and leaf suspension.”
World’s best?
What about off-roading?
It’s what these Broncos were made for, but Paul’s immaculate ’72 is a very different vehicle to the beat-up beach-basher he bought as a young man for $900. “It just had the steel floor and bed liner, and I’d simply hose it out when there was too much sand in there,” he explains.
“This just finished one could be the best restoration or the best Bronco on the planet right now. Everything’s brand new, everything’s nut and bolt, everything’s been rebuilt. You can’t get any better than brand new.”
But how cool would this thing look, tearing up the sand on one of Queensland’s many beaches open to 4×4 driving? “It has the 9-inch limited slip diff, the four-wheel-drive, and in the summer months with roof off and cold air blowing on you, it doesn’t get any better than that,” says Paul.
“I beach drove mine for four years and it went everywhere, so if you don’t mind hosing it off underneath after each drive it’d be great if the next owner beach drove it. Or it’d look equally cool just cruising the Gold Coast.”
If you fancy a bit of inspiration (warning: potential YouTube rabbit hole coming up), search online for Ford Bronco and Baja 1000. You’ll see Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones tearing up the desert race in his modified 1970 “Big Oly” Bronco, with a race engine sound that’s somehow even more soul-shaking than its muscled racing body and sparkling livery.
Evidence, if it were needed, that these early Broncos are up there with the hottest cars on the planet right now. It’s just a shame you can’t still buy one for $900 as the ultimate retro beach toy.
CONTACT: The 1972 Bronco’s up for sale; contact paulmurray50@bigpond.com