Filling up the Bucket List with a Resto-Mod 1969 Bronco from Vini’s Hot Rods
Congratulations to Steven Bailey with his 1969 Bronco, built by Vini’s Hot Rods, for being named a Finalist for the Dakota Digital Truck of the Year (Late)!
Steven Bailey is a self-described Ford Fan, from Mustangs to trucks. Beyond that broad range of Blue Oval love, though, he says he’s always been infatuated by first-generation Broncos – and finally has a 1969 Bronco. An amazing 1969 Bronco that is!
“A bucket-list achievement for me was to build the most awesome early model Bronco and have it make the show at SEMA,” he says. Four years after buying a barely running, mostly rusty 1969 Bronco he reached his goal when the completed build was on display at last year’s event – and picked up a Goodguys Gold Award during the show.
Getting from start to finish required plenty of time, money, and effort. With the crusty original body, a newly purchased rolling chassis from Kincer Chassis, and a fresh powertrain in hand, Steven left the project with the crew at Vini’s Hot Rods in Alabaster, Alabama. The new chassis features a sturdy frame, long-travel shocks Wilwood disc brakes, 4.11 gears in the four-link rear axle package, and 18-inch Fuel Off-Road wheels wrapped in Toyo rubber. The custom center caps were 3D printed.
Power comes from a modern 5.0-liter Ford Coyote Gen III V8 that produces 460 horsepower. Custom 3D-printed fuel rail covers and a center engine cover give the powerplant a distinctive modern OEM look. A custom exhaust system with Borla mufflers handles fumes, while an 8L90 automatic transmission directs power to the wheels. Hand-formed metal panels complete the detailed engine bay.
The well worn 1969 Bronco body was worked over by the team at Vini’s and includes an array of CNC-machined pieces from the custom grille to the one-off taillights. Custom front and rear bumpers received one-off machined inserts, including LED back-up lights and turn signals molded into the rear bumper. A new under hood skin features custom rubber inserts. All badging was CNC machined. The massaged sheet metal was treated to a fresh BASF Titan White finish at J. Miller Restorations before all the pieces were re-assembled.
The tricked-out interior is the handiwork of the crew at Built by Ricky upholstery in Kellyton, Alabama, including custom seats from Customs by Vos. The hand-formed dash houses Dakota Digital gauges and a custom-machined gauge bezel and A/C outlets. Leather from Moore & Giles was applied throughout, including on hand-formed panels, with inserts that feature contemporary topographical design patterns. A custom console contains the two-to-four-wheel-drive shifter, cupholders, a storage compartment, and other controls. An American Autowire harness keeps things connected, while a Sparc Industries steering wheel tops the Ididit column.
Is Steven happy with the results? “Not only did we get the invite to SEMA, we were one of the Hot Rod Industry Alliance featured vehicles,” he says. That’s one big checkmark off his bucket list.
Photos: John Jackson
