Pavement-scraping fans defend 'slammed-to-the-rails' wagon.
Auction Cart
“The low rider is a little higher (yeah)!” War might have been a tad contradictory in their 1974 hit song Low Rider, but so is this 'slammed-to-the-rails' 1969 Ford Bronco. More shopping cart than off-road machine, enthusiasts lit up its auction listing with a mudslide of unfavorable comments, while pavement-scraping fans defended the 'vertically challenged' wagon as having curb appeal.
Photos courtesy of BaT.
Fine Trips
More show car than daily driver, the diminutive Bronco is in good cosmetic shape, as are the lowrider mechanicals. The seller, 'Scottcautos,' presumably of Scott C's Auto Group, with locations in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, noted “it handles fine for short trips.” The flattened-wagon had previously made the auction rounds, commanding a big sale with Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale in March 2021.
Downward Bid
With bidding fever running high, the pancaked-Bronco sold for $85,000 at the Arizona event. That enthusiasm did not carry forward. Scottcautos, the current owner, claimed the dropped-Bronco for $55,000 at Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas a few months later. The downward trend continued on Bring a Trailer, where the top bid of $37,777, failed to meet reserve in August 2022.
Stock Attention
Scottcautos did stress the modified Bronco's unique appeal with their encouraging statement, “I promise, if you pull into the car show and drop it, it will get more attention than anything there.” Many commentators were of the opinion that the 1969 first-gen should be returned to stock, while others just debated the effectiveness of disparaging comments. The "get more attention" claim proved to be true.
Tubular System
The 1969 wagon rides on a custom-built chassis with 'four-corner' Air Ride suspension, comprised of two airbags in the front and four in the rear. The system is controlled by an AVS Switch Box, along with dash-mounted Easystreet gauges for monitoring purposes. Tubular front control arms and a four-link-styled rear, hooked to a narrowed 8.8-inch Ford rear axle, completes the modified suspension components.
Taller Trim
With the suspension aired up, it appears that the first-gen Bronco could gently tackle a low-speed bump or two. It also provides an opportunity to show off the Billet Specialties Suave wheels, with chrome Ford-branded center caps and trim rings. The bleach-white rims are wrapped in low-profile Sumitomo HTR Z III tires up front and slightly taller Toyo tires out back.
Narrow Space
Many disparaging comments targeted the 2.3L inline-four motor, coupled to a M5OD five-speed manual transmission. Dubbed the 'Lima' engine, the design originated with the Ford Pinto and has since been issued in various incarnations, including the more recent turbocharged EcoBoost version. One of the central reasons for selecting the narrow engine was that it provides space for the custom suspension components.
Appealing Doubt
Satirical comments were plentiful. Some wondered if Shriners were contemplating bidding, while others questioned “how many clowns you could pack into this beauty?” One poster created a sort of accidental Haiku poem with, “Love the paint and the plaid, the rest makes me sad...I think?!” That element of doubt nicely sums up the flattened-Bronco. It certainly is different, but also appealing—maybe.
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