The OJ Simpson Mobile

This is how my Ford Bronco is known among my friends, as it's the same color as the infamous truck used by OJ Simpson on the famous "Bronco Chase". Only that mine it's a 95 (not a 93) and it looks meaner with its big black bumpers and Ramsey winch. To see a video of the chase, check this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcyyCi2b2AY

I bought mine almost 2 years ago, I saw it parked on the side of the road, and couldn't help it. I took this picture on my first excursion with it. I always wanted to have a 4x4 and this one was perfect for me. Big, ageing, thirsty and brutal. What else can you ask from your truck?

It has the "small" (by US standards) block 302 EFI V8 engine (virtually indestructible), manual transfer case (so much more reliable than the 2 buttons) and some 122,000 miles on it.

And since I bought it I've changed all its 4 tires, the computer (or engine management system), the 8 (internal and external) ball joints (I've done it twice already, supposedly), the tailgate window motor, brake pads (3 times, or at least that's what I want to believe), I've fixed the AC... and a few other things that I can't remember right now.

Even today, as I write these words, Bronco is resting at the workshop waiting to have its engine mountings replaced (lately I've been hearing a loud knock while puling from stop). No idea of when I'll have it back, or what the cost will be...

I'm also waiting for a replacement door vent window to finally have a quiet and dry Bronco (they tried to steal the truck once while in El Cuyo in Northern Quintana Roo a year ago and they destroyed the window seals, glass and frame in the process). And I almost forgot! I also have the new tail lights and headlamps that I bought last week waiting to be installed...

It's more a rolling restoration project than a running truck really. But there are some positive news: the engine it's in beautiful condition and pulls very strongly and faultless, it's also fully original with no other mod than a front end mounted winch, and if all goes according to plan... I'll have it all done within 2, or maximum 3, weeks.

Is it worth it? If you consider that I could have bought an almost new (2 years old) Ford F150 4x4 (a Ford Lobo FX4 in Mexico) for the same money I ended up spending on the Bronco... the answer it's a clear no. But there are other ways of seeing it. The Bronco was the last of a kind, and when it runs well it's a beautiful thing to drive. It's harsh as hell but it has loads of character too. Its body lines are pure and nothing short of impressive (it's a huge square thing). Plus the engine sounds great.

There's definitely something very cool about this old truck, something that makes you feel like if you were about to live an adventure every time you hit the road with it...

Just a side note. After writing this, I did a Google search for "Bronco Days" (the title of this blog) and an interesting post came by. It's from Chris Baron, at the writersmonthly.com site, and it's titled "Letters to my 8th Grade Teacher / Bronco Days" If you're a Bronco fan, you have to read it. It's under: http://www.writersmonthly.com/pages/wm_library/chris_baron/bronco_days_suvs_morality.html