Autoblog

Classic SUVs next big thing for car collectors

Zach Bowman — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Auctions

Hagerty Insurance seems to think vintage SUVs are going to be the next big trend in car collecting. The agency has already seen prices begin to tick upward at auction, with the number of classic SUVs insured by the company growing some 65 percent since 2008. That's about twice the pace of the overall market. All told, Toyota Land Cruisers have seen the largest jump with a swell of 202 percent, though 1970s and 1980s Jeep models are up by a more than respectable 93 percent as well. Likewise, Ford Bronco and International Scout SUVs are up by 86 and 85 percent, respectively.

Hagerty attributes the increase with the overall rise in the popularity of the SUV in general. As modern machines become more in vogue, so do their predecessors by extension. While these old bruisers haven't spent much time in the lime light at classic car auctions, Hagerty says recent events in Scottsdale featured 11 vintage Toyota Land Cruiser models, one of which sold for $88,000. That's quite a price for a 1981 FJ-40. You can read the full press release below.

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Classic SUVs next big thing for car collectors originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a mini-doc on the amazing Icon Bronco

Drew Phillips — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, SUV, Ford, Specialty

We've had the good fortune of getting up close and personal with quite a few of Icon 4x4's creations, from their off-road wares like the CJ3B and FJ line to one-off restomod hot rods like their Derelict '52 Chevy. While few people may be able to afford the company's offerings, the creativity and thought that goes into each of their vehicles is something everyone can appreciate.

We have a particular affection for Icon and its latest project, the Ford Bronco. We went for a brief drive in the very first example just before it made its debut at SEMA last year and fell in love with every detail of the modernized off-roader. Every trim piece on the car has been laser cut or machined from stainless steel. The unique gauge cluster is inspired by Bell & Ross watches. The interior aluminum is the same found on the inside of luxury skyscraper elevator doors. The Icon Bronco is capable of proving its worth both on and off-road too, thanks to an Art Morrison chassis, custom-built Dana 60 and 44 solid axle assemblies, and a Ford Mustang 5.0-liter V8 under the hood.

Jonathan Ward, creator of Icon, recently invited a documentary filmmaker inside his facility to take a closer look at the Bronco. The resulting film will give you a better idea of what went into developing the Bronco as well what makes Ward tick as both a designer and a builder. If you've like any of Icon's creations, it's definitely worth a watch. Just scroll down and hit play.

Continue reading Watch a mini-doc on the amazing Icon Bronco

Watch a mini-doc on the amazing Icon Bronco originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Parnelli Jones 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco tribute [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Truck, Etc., Ford, Celebrities, Specialty, Racing

We see tribute vehicles come and go. Most of the lot are slaves to every last detail of the original, offering little more than a few engine upgrades to the mix. Then there are beasts like the one above. Built as an homage to Parnelli Jones' 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco Baja 1,000 bruiser, this machine uses a modern trophy truck chassis wrapped in larger-than life fiberglass first-generation Bronco body. With 723 horsepower on tap, the truck is fully capable of bashing the desert into submission. Owner Marshall Mardruga originally built the machine to tackle the Baja 1,000, but decided to turn it into a show truck instead.

Every visible component was then plated in brass or nickel and protected with a clear powder coat in preparation for SEMA 2011. If you like what you see, this machine can be yours for a heady sum. Available in San Diego, California via eBay Motors, the street-legal tribute commands a $535,000 Buy It Now price. You can see the auction here or scroll below to check out a few videos.

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Parnelli Jones 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco tribute [w/video]

eBay Find of the Day: Parnelli Jones 1971 "Big Oly" Ford Bronco tribute [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford wins new trial in $31M Bronco II rollover case

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

In 2001, Jesse Branhalm III was a 12-year-old in the back seat of a 1987 Ford Bronco II. When the Bronco's driver turned around to either look at or argue with the kids in the back seat, she nearly ran off the road. After making a quick steering correction, the Ford flipped, leaving the unbuckled Branhalm with severe brain injuries. Branhalm's parents sued Ford, saying that the way the Bronco was engineered increased its propensity to roll over. In the first trial back in 2006, a South Carolina jury agreed with the family and awarded $16 million in damages and another $15 million in punitive damages.

According to a new article in BusinessWeek, the South Carolina Supreme Court, citing inadmissible and highly prejudicial evidence that the trial judge should have barred, has just reversed the decision. Ford gets the victory for now, but it's not over: family attorney Ronnie Crosby said, "We believe there is ample evidence to demonstrate the Bronco II is defective and unreasonably dangerous and we're eager to present that evidence to another jury."

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Report: Ford wins new trial in $31M Bronco II rollover case originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers

Zach Bowman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Humor

Click above to peek inside the suggestion box

Ford has officially stirred up a mess of snakes by inviting consumers to submit their ideas on how to improve the company's vehicles to its website at TheFordStory.com. We've spent the better part of a day sifting through what the world has to say to Ford, and though we expected bucket loads of the web's own brand of vitriol, so far the comments were largely constructive.

We say "largely" because, as you know, the internet is still the home of LOL Cats and Chocolate Rain, and for every common sense suggestion on the site, there's one telling the company to offer an automatic pet feeder as an option. We wish we were kidding.

Ford has split its internet suggestion box into six categories ranging from performance and driving dynamics to safety, and while we dig ideas like trimming weight through the use of structural adhesives and the implementation of rear fog lights, a few themes rose above the rest to grab our attention. We've cataloged five we think Ford could do well to listen to, along with another five the company could skip all together.

Follow the jump to peek inside the suggestion box.

Continue reading Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers

Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Bronco celebrates 40th anniversary

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 05 May 2006 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, SUV, Etc., Ford

Ford Motor hasn't made a Bronco for ten years, but the ground-breaking (sorry, couldn't resist) SUV still has a loyal following, with a nationwide network of Bronco owners' clubs ramping up birthday celebrations for Ford's sport-ute.

One of the Bronco's high-profile fans is none other than legendary ~~NFL star OJ Simpson~~ rocker Ted Nugent (above). The Nuge has been a Bronco owner since 1971, and one of his vintage examples will be on display at several 40th anniversary celebrations.

Some owners of early Broncos take their off-roading pretty seriously, as you'll see from the pictures after the jump!

[Source: Ford]

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Ford Bronco celebrates 40th anniversary originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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