Last time we crossed path with a Ford Bronco, it was the all-electric restomod from Zero Labs that made our interest piqued. This time, though, we're looking at a more old-school approach from Redline Restoration on Ford's iconic first-generation Bronco. Why old-school? Well, one of the reasons has to do with the Ford 302 engine it hides under the hood.

More About the 1971 Ford Bronco By Redline

Ford's small block engine might have been discontinued in new trucks built from 1996 onwards, but it can still be ordered from Ford Racing and Performance Parts as a crate V-8 engine. Enter Redline Restorations' Bronco, a neat example of how a proper Bronco should look like - not that we don't love Zero Labs' electric twist, don't get us wrong here.

Anyway, the original Bronco was available with a straight-six engine at launch, but one year later in 1966, Ford added a 289 cubic inch V-8, which was eventually enlarged to 302 cubic inches for the 1969 model year and it remained available until 1977.

To honor that, Redline Restorations went for a Ford 302 engine for its build, but also kept the Bronco's cost-cutting philosophy alive through a minimal addition of body parts - in fact; this Bronco is one of the cleanest examples we've seen to date. That, however, doesn't mean it is a stranger to modern tech.

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Redline Restorations made sure to fit it with LED taillights, Mickey Thompson wheels, chunky off-road tires, a five-speed manual with selectable drive modes, and a Bilstein suspension setup. Oh, and in case you're thinking: hey, I've seen that body color before, you're right. You did see it. That would be Lamborghini Orange Pearl, made famous by the Lamborghini Aventador.

Besides the aftermarket bucket seats, you'll find a custom center console with various switches and gauges, a six-point roll cage, three-point seatbelts all around, and a detachable hard top for when summer comes knocking and open-air driving becomes the norm.

Now, the only question that rises is: would you take this machine off-road or keep it on paved roads, just for the sake of its classy looks and price tag? I mean, Redline Restoration wants will sell it to you for $80,000, so that's no small investment in a car that's about to be battered off the beaten path. Then again, the original Bronco wasn't destined to develop a love affair with asphalt, which makes the choice even tougher.

On that note, where would you drive this 1971 Bronco? On or off the road? Let us know in the comments section below.

Redline Restoration 1971 Ford Bronco essentials

Redline Restorations 1971 Ford Bronco info

Mileage

26,325

Drivetrain

4WD

Body type

2DR-coupe

Body

steel

Engine

5-liter V-8

Power

undisclosed

Torque

undisclosed

Rear axle

Ford 9 inch

Front axle

Dana 44

Price

$80,000


Further reading

Read our speculative review on the 2020 Ford Bronco.

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Read our speculative review on the 2021 Ford "Baby Bronco."

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Read our full review on the 2005 Ford Bronco Concept.

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Read our full review on the 1996 Ford Icon Bronco.