Pick of the Day: 1970 Ford Mustang

this Daily Picks It’s a 1970 Ford Mustang listed on ClassicCars.com by a California dealer.

Classic SUVs have become increasingly popular over the past few years. On the one hand, this means that many of them have been rescued from the barn and restored to (sometimes more than) their former glory. On the other hand, a lot of them come with lifts and aftermarket wheels and tires, so it’s hard to see an original Bronco among all the modifications. As our Pick of the Day, this 1970 Ford Mustang seems to fall somewhere in between those two extremes.

As part of a detailed restoration, the first-generation Bronco’s frame was powder-coated. The bodywork was media blasted and then covered in new Wimbledon White and Vesta Orange paint, followed by a five-year ceramic protective coating about a year ago. This high-contrast combination makes it instantly recognizable as a classic Mustang.

Apparently, this 1970s model has also been modified. However, these upgrades work well together, giving the rig more presence without making it overly distracting. Underneath the new look is a Dana 44 front axle and locking rear Auburn gearing. A 2.5-inch lift was installed to facilitate installation of the oversized white wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.

The cabin also benefits from modern equipment. The front bucket seats and rear bench seat are covered in tan leather with red plaid inserts. Whether the removable hardtop is open or closed, the Vintage Air climate control system makes it easier to stay cool. If the wind noise is too much for open-air driving, there’s a retro Bluetooth stereo connected to four speakers and a Bazooka bass tube.

The guys who built this Bronco installed a BluePrint Engines 302 V8 that matched the displacement and cylinder count of the 1970 Bronco’s optional engine. Of course, they added first-of-the-century equipment including throttle body fuel injection, a Holley ECU, and ceramic-coated headers. Additionally, they upgraded the transmission to an AOD four-speed automatic and installed power Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes to ensure this Bronco can be strangled. If you want to make sure it doesn’t crash into someone else’s stable, get ready to pay $145,000.

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