The Lost Prototype Ford Boss Bronco of 1969 Found

[@deadeye4543]

I owned 68, 73, and 76 Broncos. Loved em! On the 76 I installed a Hurst 3 speed floor shifter, 500 cfm Holley carb, tube headers, and Armstrong Tru Trac tires. It was a going rig, but rusted out badly from road salt in the North East winters.

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Love it. Original, as built, detailed and unrestored. I worked with a guy in a two man shop where we did 4wd conversions. He had a similar Bronco he modified the same way. Lockers front and back, Toploader, hopped up 351 Windsor, and big tires. He could smoke all four tires at once.

[@jonathanhudson4623]

We've got a 74 Broncos and as a Chevy guy it's the only ford that I have ever cared for. It was originally doodoo brown with a whte top. It's not black with metal flake and sits on 35s with a mildly built 302 and it's a 3 on the tree. The factory Dana front and 9" rear have lived strong through plenty of offroading. The engine, transmission and transfercase have been rebuilt but it still runs and can still take you where you want to go. It looks damn good blacked out with a 3" cowl hood scoop. Maybe seeing this will motivate my brother (who has it now) to clean it up and get it back to a better condition since it's been sitting for awhile.

[@jackstandjeeper]

I saw this at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in chicago last November where this was filmed. It's an amazing machine, it's nice to get the story behind it too.

[@goracks69]

Was not ready for the exhaust on startup! That thing sounds like a fucking BEAST!!

[@deweydodo6691]

Ford missed the boat not building this .

[@fanghicheck]

the G code gives it away

[@chrishouse7467]

Every Bronco with a 302 from 1969 to 1977 has a G code, so what is giving it away?

[@sherlockholmes4769]

Iococa seemed to be anti-performance. The first mustangs were low performance not to mention the pinto. And then he went on to build the "fire breathing" K-car. Mediocrity at it's finest.

[@RJ1999x]

I don't think they missed the boat. If you ever drove one, it was an awful vehicle for high performance. It was very unstable, right from the factory. Compared to an IH scout this bronco was a horrible joke. I owned one for 4 months, first snow of the season with brand new snow tires it went sailing into the ditch at 40 mph. I managed to get it back on the road, slowed down to 30 the truck went into a spin, hit the grass on the side of the road and rolled over. My uncle came 15 minutes later with a Scout flew past the rolled bronco at 55 mph not even realising it was my truck. We rolled it back on the wheels cleaned it up sold it immediately, worse handling vehicle I ever drove. Still own Ford trucks which are great, the original bronco in my opinion was a complete fail

[@Agislife1960]

You could say the same thing about the CJ jeeps, but they were still pretty impressive off road vehicles. Its a compromise between wheel base, off road maneuverability, and on road drivability.

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

I'm not a Ford man but the 351Winsor was a great motor. We had one in a enduro dirt track car. I adapted a quadrajet to it. It won us over $18,000 one season. The races paid $500.00 to $1000.00 for most races and $5000.00 to win at the end of the season. There were sometimes over a hundred cars started the 100 lap races. It had a sound of its own with the Ford exhaust sound and the roar of the quadrajet carburetor. Had a great driver also "Tomcat" Morrison. Those were some damn good times.

[@joannemarc9121]

ps3613t did u buy a chev with ur winnings?

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

Yes I did. Bought a Caprice, an old police cruiser and a book on "how to set up a dirt car". Took 5-6 races to learn how to drive and to get the car setup right. Raced every Friday and Saturday night for 8 years. Had 73 feature wins and several track championships on that old car before it got totaled. Best years of my life.

[@randyhutchinson9910]

when I was a kid, my brother and I, had Aurora AFX slot cars, that Bronco, was one of them, and we loved it!!!!, I still want one in real life

[@fanghicheck]

i always wanted that $12 car , like about 1971

[@randyhutchinson9910]

fanghicheck yep, haha! yep

[@thewriter2549]

Did 'that Bronco" have "Boss Bronco" decals?

[@paulguzman1634]

What a Gem!!! Talk about not knowing what you have! This thing Must be worth a close to a million dollars. I am sure some collectors out there would pay that, and probably more to have it.

[@ROTAXD]

Paul Guzman the sad part is other than the graphic depicting it as a rare prototype...it's nothing but another bronco sitting in some assholes collection that he never drives. Paying a million simply because it's rare is not very bright. I'd much rather buy a basket case bronco so that it looked decent and performed great...so I could drive the damn thing & not have to worry about a scratch or a door ding devaluing it.

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

It's driven quite a bit, actually.

[@zuckyx5x]

And to think Wes Eisenschenk never told the owner what he had. Instead he fabricated a story about how he and his wife had fallen in love with the bronco when it was on ebay, and his wife loved the color. Rumor has it the owner sold it to Wes Eisenschenk for exactly what he had into it. Thinking he was doing the right thing, and trusting a fellow auto enthusiast.

[@justaname1862]

@@zuckyx5x That sounds about right...typical

[@davidw3156]

I'm a Chevy guy all the way, but that is one sweet Bronco...that's the only time I'm saying that lol. Too bad they had the dispute and decided not to build it. Another classic that'll be missed

[@Johnnycdrums]

I love to hear stories about drivable prototypes escaping crusher death, regardless of manufacturer. I'm a Ford guy, but they've had some interesting stories about drivable prototypes meant for the crusher going out the back door.

[@nobodyhere4860]

That's cool as hell that he ended up getting the bronco and for it to be mostly original is about as rare as it gets! I can tell the passion this guy has for this bronco! When your that excited and passionate about something it's hard not to come off a lil goofy😉 Good shit guys! I'm glad you found your dream bronco more less!

[@cobracolin]

Thanks Russell. I will admit I am more than a little goofy. And I do love this old truck! Also enjoy the comments here on KZbin. What a great cross-section of humanity ;) Best- Colin

[@SCDolphin0]

I ordered a 77 Bronco c dual tanks. Best 4x4 I have ever owned!

[@chocodiledundee1]

Very cool Bronco , I’ve got a factory yellow 79 F-1OO Ranger XLT with 351 Cleveland , 750 Holley , C6 , “9 LSD , Sway bar , trailer brakes , cruise control loaded with options , when I bought it from an old dude most people laughed at me , they told me I was insane that I should’ve bought a Nissan or Toyota , now years gone by ....I am so happy I bought it !

[@02autogt]

chocodiledundee1 So the old guy put the Cleveland in it?

[@williamzoom]

If you have a 351 Cleveland in a 79 Ford truck it is because someone other than Ford put it there as it was out of production for over 4 years when your truck was built. Its probably a M series they told you was a Cleveland because they did not know the difference.

[@chocodiledundee1]

William Zoom it’s definitely a Cleveland 351 , motor got changed sometime in the trucks lifetime, it looks exactly like the 351s I see on the mustangs Mach1 , it even have the LSD 9” diff and the sway bar I see on the Mach1 . I bought from this old dude , he had a huge farm and it had heaps of classics fords in the many shads he had , he was selling everything to retire and move to small place , there was a 76 F100 next to mine , he pointed to my yellow one and said “ that’s the best F100 I’ve ever had you can have that one “ I looked to both and I sure liked the 79 better ... he was busy with others buyers , I didn’t had much time to ask about the truck history apart that he had it for over 30 years, and it was loaded with options as the 76 was a plain custom model , I wanted the one with all the plush and shine trim moulding , even though I thought the 76 had better grille back then ... but after learning about the monster truck culture in the 80’s I noticed that all the Fords had 79 front grille on them and I was glad I had a real 79 XLT model . Thank you for your knowledge on M series I agree . I love my Fords , pickup trucks , broncos and Rancheros are my favourite. All the best

[@centraltexasfoxbodies]

chocodiledundee1 79 ford truck would have come factory with a 9 inch in it, but that must really suck that you have 5 lug ford car out back and 5 lug ford truck up front, hard to find same matching wheels.

[@tomlangley8852]

COOL! But now can you find the Lost 'OJ' Prototype Bronco?

[@randyhutchinson9910]

Tom Langley it's not lost anymore, it sold at Jackson Barret auto auction for a fair price

[@joeschlotthauer840]

My dad was the original "BOSS". My mom was the original "JUDGE".

[@nickefgen9219]

Great video thank you, I saw the pictures of it in a magazine finally got hear it run watching this video

[@branon6565]

[@kimosabbe50]

Great video! That's the best sounding Bronco ... evah 😬👍

[@oafyvonskidmark316]

My Grandpa bought a 1969 Bronco 302 Sport model, the 302 in 69 ands 70 had more HP than the later years going down to 145 HP before they quit making the small Broncos. the 351 swap was commonly done in Southern California clubs that went to the Mojave desert, cut out fender wells and double shocked, detroit lockers headers intake, RV cam etc My Grandfather had a C4 automatic put in by Stan Clark he was Gas Rondas mechanic, it is amazing how capable the old Broncos were. It had drum brakes that were terrible with big tires and got about 6 mpg in the city.

[@treverbennett8142]

That "EBay family" is kicking themselves in the ass right now.

[@shanehansen2141]

Trever Bennett It makes me wonder if anybody contacted them to tell them what they had.

[@zuckyx5x]

No, Wes Eisenschenk swindled the owner and never told them what they had.

[@Boss-vd8vt]

@@zuckyx5x You snooze you lose !

[@zuckyx5x]

@@Boss-vd8vt So when people are conned or taken advantage of, they are snoozing?

[@Boss-vd8vt]

@@zuckyx5x EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM !

[@robert5]

Owned a 1976 anniversary edition red white and blue. It was the all time best looking early bronco ford ever made. Wish I never would have sold it.

[@richardstrach6104]

This is so COOL.. amazing... amazing how difficult it really is to make a decent vehicle. Wow

[@Gardar1845]

This is what they need to release next! With an upgraded interior and it will be awesome

[@dannywilsher4165]

Another awesome find and video!!!! Thanks Jerry!!!

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks - I'm working on a few more, which all of them require travel.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I have ridden in hotrodded gen 1 Broncos. I bet that is a squirrely SOB. Glad it still exists.

[@littlefarmer32]

Man, I just want to find a vintage 66-77 BRONCO, so crazy hard. Beautiful machine, stock

[@kerbygator]

I own a Shelby Cobra Boss Fiesta GT 2+2 Fastback It's one Bad Ass Boss. One of a kind.

[@robertbisson9499]

Back in 2006, I was in Port Hadlock, Washington. I had given a friend a ride from Bainbridge Island & I didn't have to return until the next day so I spent some time exploring the neighborhood looking for cars. I found a 1976 Dodge (I think it was a) Diplomat ex-police car with a 360 4bbl. Someone had put exhaust on it like an AAR or T/A Challenger. Cool car. Also was a '55 delivery van (like a bread truck) with a hemi in it. Story was it was built for the phone company for delivering phone books. But the car that really got my attention was the '70 Falcon/Torino 4 door that the gentleman (he was the owner of all these cars on one of his properties) said was custom ordered new with a Boss 302 engine. C4 automatic. Yellow with black vinyl bench seat interior (it looked like a taxicab). Unfortunately it was raining VERY hard at the time so I didn't ask him to open the hood (we didn't even get out of my van it was raining so hard) but I vowed to return to check this thing out more thoroughly. But I didn't, & I regret not doing so, but I never forgot about it. The price was $2500. I didn't think (at that time) that Ford put C4 autos behind Boss 302 engines cuz of the high rpm power they make. Apparently I was wrong. Anyone ever hear of a custom ordered from the factory 1970 Boss 302 Falcon/Torino 4-door in the western Washington area? Coulda been one of those factory freaks we hear about from time to time, like the 2 or 3 1972 Plymouth RRs that came with the 440 6bbl... Or the 1969 Ranchero GT with a factory 428CJ & 4 speed that I found in 1982 when I was 16. To this day I have not seen or even heard of another one like it...

[@thewriter2549]

I hear these stories all the time of factory high performance specialty engines the factory installed in cars where they shouldn't have been. One story is a dual quad 409 in a station wagon, which was possible back in 1963. The Mopars of 1972, to me, are not factory freaks either because their existence can be explained as being available at the start of the '72 production run in August of 1971, and then being canceled, but a 3 got built, so those cars are out there and have the correct factory engine code. That 1970 Ford Falcon/Torino with a Boss 302? All you have is hype on a car for sale and you did not see the engine code, which would have been "G" for a Boss 302, plus even in the 1970 Mustang there was no Boss 302 available with automatic.

[@71vegaman93]

Not a Ford fan, but these early Bronco's we're really stand out.

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

Wow, what a find.

[@SirGregg]

Sounds awesome!

[@marcbee1234]

That thing sounds GREAT!

[@tomp1612]

This is interesting. As a former early Bronco (with a 351W) guy I'm curious about a couple things. Were the power brakes added? Looks like a disc master cylinder too. That air cleaner must be right down on top of the choke, on mine I ran a C9OX aluminum intake (like a GT350 had) and the carb wouldn't clear the hood, that one even still has the hood bracing above the carb. I don't think the aluminum C9OX much more than an inch taller ha the iron 4V... so is there a body lift too?

[@cobracolin]

Hi Tom, yes the former owner added the power brake booster, but it retains the original 4 wheel drums. Someday I'll remove the booster but it's kind of nice to have the extra help slowing it down! The air cleaner is the one installed at Kar Kraft you can see it has some foam tape added to the top since it does just barely touch the hood. But it does clear the choke horn just fine. I think the cast 4V intake and no PCV spacer makes all the difference. There is no body or suspension lift at all. Hope this helps. Best regards, Colin

[@AMCmachine]

Not too late....they should bring it back and offer it now on a new Ford SUV. : ) Maybe a Boss Escape?

[@CarswithNash]

I just stumbled across this, very cool! Too bad they only built one.

[@stupidasso77]

Just look what Jeep has been able to do with the SRT Cherokee. Wow, these guys were way ahead of their time here.

[@stevefowler2112]

When I was in H.S. in the early 70's I had a buddy who had a Bronco that he had a 289 HIPO he got out of a K code mustang at our local junkyard installed...that was a running bronco...he took me on a few rides through the woods that had me white as a ghost.

[@samiam5557]

WHOA, No improvements on brakes though!!!! LOL. It got "lost" and was "missing" yeah sure, someone nabbed it and stashed it away for decades, at least it escaped the crusher so far.

[@Johnnycdrums]

Hidden in the back lot, out of sight out of mind, the engineers could just jockey it from lot to lot come inventory time. It takes a real demon to want to crush good cars.

[@schymark8392]

Boss BRONCO!!! AWESOME

[@redetroitwing]

Awesome, love to have it but could probably build a few for the cost of it, really cool truck tho

[@Specrotors]

Nice start to 2018 :) keep'em coming

[@thewriter2549]

After many years writing thousands of magazine articles, getting feedback is a new and big incentive to do more. Thanks everybody.

[@michaelbell390]

Its beautiful...love it.

[@zuckyx5x]

And to think Wes Eisenschenk never told the owner what he had. Instead he fabricated a story about how he and his wife had fallen in love with the bronco when it was on ebay, and his wife loved the color. Rumor has it the owner sold it to Wes Eisenschenk for exactly what he had into it. Thinking he was doing the right thing, and trusting a fellow auto enthusiast.

[@GETUPANDGO]

Well that is awesome, Broncos are boss, so it totally makes sense, ha

[@teddysgunshop2318]

too good to be true

[@randymorobitto5453]

I read through some of the comments... I'm willing to say "maybe," depending on whatever documentation. If the engine's date code is correct, that helps, certainly. The manufacturers had some interesting things going on back then, and you'll see "One of None" from time-to-time. I'm curious why they didn't use the Boss 302 engine, though.

[@cobracolin]

Hi Randy, One can only assume they didn't use the Boss 302 engine because of its torque characteristics, or lack thereof. The Boss 302 engine was listed at 290 Ft/Lbs @ 4300 RPM while the GT350 351W was listed as having 385 Ft/Lbs 3200 RPM. Listed HP was the same for both at 290. So, safe to guess when trying to make the ultimate Bronco the nearly 100 Ft/Lbs more of torque at a much lower RPM was considered far more "Boss", especially with 4.11 gears. I can attest that it jumps out of the hole pretty darn hard for a Bronco! Best, Colin

[@randymorobitto5453]

cobracolin - Makes sense, though I was thinking the Boss 302 was underrated for insurance purposes, like the Chevy 302, etc., and lighter, for Baja racing. Eh, I generally leave the engineering to the engineers.

[@donalderdbrink647]

Randy Morobitto the Boss 302 engine was for horsepower in the upper RPM because the heads we're huge 4V Cleveland heads on top of a 302 Windsor for trans am racing and I think in 1970 Bud Moore put these same heads on top of a 351 Windsor, I wonder if thats what this engine is?? Because the 351 would definitely have way more low end torque for 4x4

[@chrishouse7467]

The show plaque and Mr. Comer note that it has Stroppe power steering, but from what I have seen it looks like Ford power steering possibly added later with the power brakes?

[@richardstrach6104]

351w. Sounds great

[@stevenbissonnette7893]

It woulda been a "boss" if it had a 302 boss or a 351 Cleveland with a 4 speed.

[@dresdensvo]

ford has used the boss name many times. as a popular sales gimmick . later the ads for the 1982 GT said the Boss is back . then more recently on a five litre mod motor.

[@dennisschell5543]

Pretty much a bolt-in...build it!

[@XA351GT]

The Cleveland wasn't released until the 1970 model year. The BOSS 302 had modified Cleveland heads. There is no reason that a 351W could not have been fitted with BOSS302 heads and been a different BOSS351 from the Cleveland version that lived in the 71 Mustang. In Australia they have 302 Clevelands that never existed here. So it would not be out of question for Ford to do all kinds of experimentation back then.

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

I'll repeat what I stated earlier. When the first 429 was dropped into Mustang R code fastback body it was in essence "Bossing the Mustang". The same bears true for a G code 302 into a Fastback body. At that time, the name "Boss" wasn't even applied to either of those projects.

[@Gcal1956]

he let the cat out the bag on how they found it. Some one RAN THE VIN THRU DMV! So go find a list of these special cars and start running the vins thru a nation wide data base and walla! You just found the last person to register the car/truck. Now all barn finds will be long and go.... I wonder how many people are currently scavenging DMV records.... Super cool find with a cool story!

[@thewriter2549]

He Googled the VIN and found the Boss Bronco had recently been offered on EBay, which was very lucky. Where is a nation wide data base of VINs accessible to the public? Also, where do you find VIN's for most barn finds?

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

I drove one at work (Old Bronco), and it was in my mind the FIRST "SUV".......now the Lincoln at 90K is a SUV? Thats BS!!! SUV, what a joke

[@davedavis9693]

My friend had a Boss powered LTD . Probably one of a few

[@sum12see]

Very cool machine!!

[@blkicemike4857]

I'm guessing the Bronco coming out in 2020 will be some similarities to the 69 prototype 🤪👍. I am stoked to see it..

[@obsidian00]

OG BRONCOS FTW!!!

[@terryburkeschake7550]

Imagine how much more money Wes made buying this and then selling it to this guy. I’m sure he probably forgot to mention to the people just how rare and valuable car they had!

[@zuckyx5x]

That is a fact!

[@joshuahumes5548]

When I get my inheritance I am either buying this one or having one made for me

[@leereader3725]

wow this is rare I would just like to know the ball park on what he paid...... $150000-$200000?

[@poopypantsdiggity7691]

Lee Reader probably less. I rather have a new raptor.

[@UncleSpuddy]

Definitely of the six figures. It's hard to say because there's no precedent for that truck, Broncos are expensive all on their own and a one-of-a-kind boss prototype Bronco I'd say it's probably equal in value to a Boss Mustang it may not be desired by his many people but the rarity is going to drive it up there.

[@benjamins.8362]

Take a shot every time he says Boss Bronco

[@richardmyhan8755]

Benjamin S. That would put you in the hospital.

[@deadfulknight]

Or Car Craft, either way your liver will cease to exist

[@yamahonkawazuki]

or the mortuary

[@stoneblue1795]

Brass Bronco.... Blass Binaco, Dingo Bango...

[@justonemori]

Take a shot whenever you see the Bronco if you want to stay sober.

[@onesecureone]

Im a die hard mopar guy and i like it...

[@robertstewart3086]

I'm Confused, He stated that he rebuilt the Original Boss 351 ,witch is a Cleveland, And Yet the Engine shot they showed us was a Windsor .. ( Notice the Water neck and the Valve covers ) .. What's going on ?

[@cobracolin]

Never was it implied or stated it had a production Boss 351engine- which, yes, is a Cleveland. The video very clearly describes, numerous times, that the Boss Bronco has a 1969 GT350-spec 351 Windsor that was installed at KK. Still has its original "210S" engine code tag attached. This is also all spelled out in Jerry Heasley's article on the truck in Muscle Car Review magazine and the Kar Kraft book. Hope this clears it up.

[@mitchgawlik1175]

Lucky fellow, for sure.

[@nathanhall1963]

my Bronco has a 351...maybe its a lost Boss Bronco too....

[@randyhutchinson9910]

Nathan Hall run the vin numbers, ya never know

[@jacobcamm956]

Nathan Hall a lot of broncos had 351s

[@blkicemike4857]

I had a 302 in mine, 3 on the tree, I think..

[@Manuel3525m]

Only one made

[@hiramabifffromsirius146]

I can spot a bronco from a mile away, under a tarp, deep in the woods.

[@warren3665]

Where? I would like to buy a old broke down Bronco.

[@dougg1075]

Good God that’s awesome!

[@PillCozbee]

How are you able to do a "DMV search" of VINs and track down a vehicle? Isn't that only available to law enforcement? I have a Bronco I'd love to find but it's a violation of privacy.

[@thewriter2549]

Listen to the video again and you will hear how the finder inserted the VIN (which he obtained from old Kar Kraft records) into an Internet search and found the Bronco (with VIN) that had been listed for sale on Ebay. You could try that with your Bronco. However, it's unlikely that particular car has been listed on the Internet with its VIN. This person got very luck. He did not source databases available to law enforcement.

[@dacrd]

Cool video keep em coming

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks, do you mind spreading a link or two on social media, or perhaps a Bronco site or blog?

[@dacrd]

Will Do

[@Retsam03]

I love how he said it had "relativity low millage". But then pulled the engine and transmission and rebuilt them because they were "tired" from being driven all those years. LOL Which was it? Low millage or tired?

[@cobracolin]

Low mileage and tired. No big conspiracy theory in play here, the truck has 4.11 gears in it- lots of RPM, and, after almost 50 years yes seals, gaskets and all that were all a little tired. And I didn't want to risk hurting the original engine by having a timing set or valve spring fail, or have it leak oil all over so I pulled and rebuilt it all to be safe. I like things to be as good as they can be- it's the automotive engineer in me I guess. And remember in the 60s and 70s cars did need more involved servicing at a far fewer miles than cars today and their 100,000 miles before a tune up. Hope this helps explain your "LOL" moment. Best, Colin

[@Retsam03]

cobracolin lol yeah that is a good reason rebuild. Normally when people say an engine or car is 'tired' it means high millage. Rebuilding because you don't know how it was treated and didn't trust it. I completely understand!

[@deme7063]

so if you are freshening up an all original, 1 of a kind, prototype vehicle like this, do you take the old wheel bearings and rings ,etc, and put them in a box to keep, or do you throw them out?

[@cobracolin]

Good question- I saved almost everything except for inconsequential bits like wheel bearings and u-joints as there was nothing special about them. But stuff like the original single-crimp brake hoses that are all dated for the truck I always bag and tag.

[@deme7063]

fair enough

[@davidperry970]

Cool story.

[@lickdacat2]

WOW... I want it!

[@davidmancuso2334]

What ever happened to the GT350 that was pulled out of a back yard in Ohio. It had been sitting for forty years.

[@srry1906]

So this isn't Car Craft the magazine I take it, but Kar Kraft which I guess built some prototypes?

[@maintenanceguy3304]

And it will magically appear at an auction near you!!

[@cobracolin]

It will?

[@scottgolden2766]

So in therory every car coming out of Car Craft is at least got a couple of changes with the possibility that they made some special cars like this every once in a while

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

Purchase the book. Again, it's Kar-Kraft, not Car Craft.

[@scottgolden2766]

Wes Eisenschenk did this guy mention a book ?

[@gilbertnowak5770]

This guy stated that the people that had the bronco did not know what it was, this is a B.S. story. They had shirts made ,kept the mileage low, still has original interior,exhaust, the people knew exactly what they had. They didn't advertise it as special because they knew about the Ford and Car craft dispute..

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

Hello. Car Craft is a magazine. Kar-Kraft was a 3rd party shop with only one client, Ford. Look through the Kar-Kraft book. There's a historic photo of the car with just the stripe package, sans the Boss Bronco lettering. Why would a previous owner know this was the Boss Bronco prototype? They didn't possess the historic Ford documents on the car. There are many stories out there of significant race cars that are restored to their stock configurations, erasing race history, and essentially "hiding" them. A book coming out in a couple months called, "The Corvette Hunter" showcases a few of these examples. Million dollar cars hiding in thousand dollar restorations.

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

Not every special vehicle that is sold outside of the manufacturer is thoroughly vetted to the buyer. We're you at the Ford resale lot in the 60's and 70's? Have you ever talked with anyone who was? I have. From prototypes to company cars to repairables ended up there. There were HUNDREDS of cars there at any given time. The lot manager only cared about what the asking price was from Ford for that vehicle.

[@gilbertnowak5770]

You don't understand what I am trying to tell you. In the case of this Bronco ,it came back to Ford to be reclassified so it could be sold. There were only a limited number of people that knew the bronco came back. If you do a title search on this vehicle you will probably find that it was purchased from some one inside Ford. My brother had a prototype 1969 Cougar which only 6 were ever produced. All had 428 SCJ engines top-loader(wide ratio) and dual gear ratios in the rear-end. You could change the gear ratio with a switch. my brother did not understand what he had, there were no numbers stamped in the block. He had to pull the engine apart and cross check part numbers and measure all internals to identify what engine it was. He knew he had something special because of the split gear ratio rear-end. He did not realize what he had until years later after he had scraped the body because of total rust damage. The six prototype Cougars were given to the top selling dealers in the U.S. to test. After that they were allowed to sell them to whom ever they wished. But the Bronco is a different case. The 6 Cougars are all gone, my brother had the last one known to have been in existence. The Cougars really are LOST.

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

Reclassified as what? The VIN was never altered. Title searches are futile as DMV records don't exist beyond a certain year in Michigan. This truck truly was lost and it's history with it until it was discovered again in 2016. I agree, it likely could have been bought by a Ford employee, who VERY LIKELY knew nothing about the Boss Bronco. Believe me, there were way more than just 6 prototype Cougars in 1969. Have you ever heard of the B9 Cougars? And yeah, there were more than two of them.

[@leilahathaway6596]

Great game on

[@izzynutz2000]

so this is not an actual FoMoCo stamped prototype.. Car craft built this as an "idea" for Ford...?

[@cobracolin]

Kar-Kraft was a division of Ford, and the truck was delivered to Ford Engineering later going to Ford Styling- the big building it is pictured in front of. So yes, it was a real Ford prototype paid for by Ford and owned by them until it was sold off when they liquidated Kar-Kraft a few years later.

[@dewrus2153]

It was an actual FoMoCo vehicle. Kar Kraft also made the GT40, the Boss 429, the Boss 302, etc. If this would have been approved, it would have been built on the same assembly line as the other Boss's. Unfortunately, Iacocca didn't approve it so it went by the way side.

[@RasmithD]

@@cobracolin Very cool story. Amazing the projects Ford had going back in the day. I couldnt help but notice all the 69 vintage cars in the video. Where was this shot at?

[@fanghicheck]

COOL learned something today , did you ?

[@allentomlin9959]

It's funny I have one also in my garage my cousins brother mother dad neighbor had it for 59 years still all original I believe Haha

[@02autogt]

Congrats, bet you won the internet when you posted that!!

[@jvwg95rt98]

Interesting use of the phrase "completely un-restored."

[@cobracolin]

How so? No restoration work was ever done on the truck when I bought it. It was simply maintained and repainted once as mentioned. Which is different than saying "completely original" like most people present vehicles that are anything but- and I'm sure we can agree on that! As it sits now the Boss Bronco is still largely unrestored other than the mechanicals and front seats being re-covered. I was careful to maintain as much of its originality and original finishes as possible. Conversely I am sure we can also agree that a lot of people claiming they have "restored" something have done anything but, at least if one is to apply the textbook definition of what a restoration is.

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Cut wheelwells... so sad, that Pinto shifter would be gone in a flash as well !

[@thewriter2549]

Why? Those wheel wells and shifter are part of the prototype Boss Bronco build.

[@TheCanadianBubba]

You are right. Have had several Bronco's in my life, and have just become very opinionated and jaded as to what makes them great. Did do some searching on the truck and found it is a bit of a controversial story. That truck will need every bit of documentation they have to be considered legitimate. The factory VIN plate and Kar-Kraft build sheet are an essential part, if not the only part, that legitimize this vehichle. All the best to you in this 2018 !

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

Buy the Kar-Kraft book. There is a photo of the truck in front of the Ford design studio. Also, the trucks VIN appears on the Kar-Kraft inventory list for 1969.

[@cobracolin]

Hi CanadianBubba, I think you nailed the problem with the world today- everybody seems to be opinionated and jaded on the internet! Anyway, while I appreciate your opinions and typically would agree about the "cut" Bronco thing, as the owner of this truck I have to disagree. It was "cut" by Ford/ Kar-Kraft and Bill Stroppe. It's like saying you wouldn't want a Boss 429 because somebody changed the shock towers. And remember, the production Baja Broncos that followed from 1971-1975 also had factory cut rear wheel wells. There is a big difference between a factory modification and one done by a guy in his driveway, I think we can agree on that! The "Pinto" shifter is actually a Mustang shifter, this truck was built 2 years prior to the introduction of the Pinto. And as Wes, who found the Boss Bronco, points out there is nothing "controversial" or any "story" about it at all. It is documented with Ford paperwork showing it as an engineering unit delivered to Kar-Kraft and it is on the Kar-Kraft inventory lists as well as the Kar-Kraft list of accomplishments where its build is summarized. The truck is unrestored, the VIN tag never removed, the confidential VINs all in place and clear as day. As you can see there are also photos of this truck at Kar-Kraft and Ford Styling from 1969. I don't know how it could be any more legitimate than it is. I welcome you to come visit the Boss if you'd like to check it out in person, I think you'd appreciate it once you had a better feel for what it is and the cool and unfortunately stillborn Ford project it represents. Also picking up the Kar-Kraft book or the issue of Bronco Driver magazine that both go into great detail on the Boss Bronco would help further explain it as well. Best regards and wishing you the best in 2018! Colin Comer

[@jonathanhudson4623]

To me an uncut bronco is a waste of a great off roader. If you leave the rear fenders alone you cant put any tires on the back that are worthy of the truck. You've got to cut them to unleash their potential. Now when I see an uncut bronco, I understand why they are registered as a station wagon.

[@chefgiovanni]

So sa they made it in yelllow .

[@dragonbrownies517]

Ford seems to build alot of prototypes and they're amazingly good/fast/ahead of their time but Ford doesn't want to keep the bar high.

[@invoxicated]

Doesn't look to be a real Boss 302 engine just a 302 Windsor. Just the tape stripe treatment. But still a cool find.

[@HenryCarmonaTexasSlayer]

So this was a custom truck, not a Ford produced "prototype".

[@cobracolin]

I'd really suggest watching the video and also researching Kar-Kraft. Perhaps in the book referenced all over this page.

[@donaldfuller5041]

Could a Boss 302 block even fit in a Bronco???

[@fatnfurious9171]

Why the windsor? U would think they would of put the 4 valver in there

[@painmonke2940]

Badass

[@waltshields5334]

Come on Jerry, you said you rebuilt the motor and transmission cause of all those years it was driven and because it was tired but you said that after saying you were lucky it had low mileage when you got it. So what was the low mileage on it and was that just and was that just an opinion of low mileage for a car with the reputation of last hundreds of thousands of miles when properly cared for?

[@Wildpony98]

Well maybe they can get it right with the new Bronco but I doubt it. They can't even offer a V6 2019 Ranger. Drop a 475hp Coyote in that new Bronco and they will be forgiven.

[@nielsp914]

Interesting but the timing of this video just so happens to be right before the Detroit Auto show, mmm.

[@MrT5mustang]

If Larry Shinoda did not design it, it is not a true BOSS!

[@zzz7zzz9]

no fun in staring at a bronco sitting in a showroom. if i'm watching a bronco, there better me mud flying.

[@forestlawrencegrading9154]

It was probably too much for the average person to not hurt them self with

[@timrachu8614]

You lost me at automatic. So sad.

[@NashvilleEarlyBronco]

That's awesome! Where is the Bronco now?

[@thewriter2549]

MIlwaukee, Wisconsin

[@chadblackmore5919]

I call B.S. just like the 1967 Gt 500 mustang never was such a thing. people building countrfiets and claiming long lost ''hidden in a barn'' to make money

[@FARMALLL666]

IS IT PRIVATLY OWN?

[@weseisenschenkslostmusclec9123]

This is how I found the truck. I ran the VIN from the Kar-Kraft inventory sheet. How do you presume this was faked? vi.vipr.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=272031305870&t=1446341394000&tid=100387018&ca tegory=6222&seller=houseofhotrod&excSoj=1&excTrk=1&lsite=100&ittenable=false&domain=ebay.com&descgauge=1&cspheader=1&oneClk=1&secureDesc=0

[@jamespalmer5407]

Nashville Early Bronco its a figment of some shitheads imagination, there never was even a prototype, these middle-aged bastards that tried their hand selling shit cars ripping people off have graduated to inventing whole car classes that never existed so they can claim 1 of a kind and make big money off some dumbass with more money they know what to do with, mecum does the same thing, you watch next some asshole will be claiming to have found the "boss maverick" or one of a kind ford f 100 boss

[@tannerolson3518]

Why would you even drive it? Wtf is wrong with you? Park it and leave it be, that's a priceless piece of automotive history, if you get into a wreck with it then there won't be any boss Broncos period

[@Rickman357]

This is how the 2020 bronco should be !!! No eco Bust engine or NoN removable tops. A diesel variant would be nice as well with solid axles,,and if you don't like the ride or fuel mileage ,,get a Cadillac or Prius. Don't ruin the Broncos good name Ford...

[@dewrus2153]

It would be interesting to know how much this is worth...and how much the guy bought it for. I wonder if he told the seller what it was before he offered up the cash? I bet he stole it for a song and dance.

[@cobracolin]

Hi, If you watch the video you'll see "the guy" (me) bought it from somebody that knew very well what it was. But none of this money talk has anything to do with what it is so I hope you can enjoy (like I do) how cool it is that this truck survived at all. Sincerely, Colin

[@dewrus2153]

+Colin-I can definitely appreciate the video for what it is. I was just voicing my curiosity of the value since I've never before seen anything remotely similar to this. I understand if you don't wish to disclose the amount of your transaction with the seller. But could you give us an idea of the value of such a rare item like this might be since you've put it back as close to original as it can be? If not, I respect that. I think it's amazing that it remained intact and in such wonderful shape for so long.

[@cobracolin]

It's a 1 of 1 factory built prototype. I guess it would be worth whatever somebody would pay for it, like any other one-off vehicle. But it isn't for sale so doesn't really matter much what it might sell for. I just feel extremely lucky to be able to own and enjoy it. Sincerely, Colin

[@zuckyx5x]

Your absolutely right. $21,500