“Spartan”1981 Ford Bronco

The story

The Bronco was abandoned at my girlfriend (now wife's) father's ranch since it didn't pass California emissions (and wouldn't start) with the promise of ''I'll pick it up next week.'' Four years later, it hadn't moved.

He gave it to me if I could get it running, so I did some work and drove it 700 miles home to Idaho. My first Ford, my first truck, and my first 4 wheel drive.

Since then, I've put 45,000 miles on it, rebuild the entire suspension, brakes, transmission, drive train, and have turned the slouch old tired 300 into a powerful and fun torque monster.


No idea how many miles are on it. Pulled the original engine and it had been rebuilt once already and had since then worn out past 60 over. 400,000? 600,000?


Edit: Sadly, the '81 has gone to the great car heaven in the sky. It was totaled in 2017 by some driver on their cell phone. Moral of the story, Don't text and drive! — AbandonedBronco