Baby Palomino | 1969 Ford Bronco

The Story

Why Baby Palomino?

Some restorations begin with a vehicle.

This one began with a memory.

When I was growing up, my dad had a yellow 1972 Ford Bronco. It was the Bronco I learned to drive in and a vehicle tied to some of my favorite childhood memories.

We also had a CB radio. My dad’s CB handle was “Papa Palomino.”

Mine was “Baby Palomino.”

Years later, when I had the opportunity to build an early Bronco of my own, I wanted to recreate the feeling of that Bronco — not as an exact replica, but as my own interpretation of something I remembered and loved.

I chose a period-correct 1969 Ford yellow from another Ford model because I preferred its softer shade to the original Bronco yellow.

And Baby Palomino was born.

This Bronco has been part restoration, part passion project and part tribute to a wonderful piece of my childhood.

I am planning to move out of the country next year, and Baby Palomino deserves to be driven, enjoyed and taken on new adventures rather than spending most of her time in my garage.

It is time for her next chapter.

The Bronco as found before restoration, wearing its original faded yellow paint — As found, before the restoration began.

Specifications

At a Glance

Year: 1969
Make: Ford
Model: Bronco
VIN: U15GLE34567
Restoration: Frame-off restoration, documented in 60+ photographs
Engine: Rebuilt Ford 302 V8 — replacement engine, not the original
Carburetor: Edelbrock
Transmission: Automatic (exact model available upon request)
Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive (transfer case details available upon request)
Suspension: Lifted approximately 3–4 inches
Shocks: Bilstein
Brakes: Front disc brakes
Wheels & Tires: Black aftermarket wheels, all-terrain tires (sizes available upon request)
Exterior: Period-correct 1969 Ford yellow
Interior: Black custom seating — front buckets and rear bench — black carpeting, wood-rim steering wheel
Roll Cage: Black roll cage
Hard Top: Removable white hard top included (currently removed and stored)
Mileage: Approximately 2,000 miles since restoration (odometer reset during restoration; not original vehicle mileage)

Gear ratio, exact lift height and remaining drivetrain details are available upon request. Baby Palomino is presented honestly: the engine is a rebuilt 302 V8 replacement — not numbers-matching — and the stated mileage reflects distance since the restoration was completed.

The Restoration

Built from the Frame Up

This was a complete frame-off restoration, documented through 60+ photographs from the early stages through final assembly.

The Bronco as found, front three-quarter view with faded original paint — As found

Close view of the original weathered hood and grille before restoration — Five decades of original paint

Engine bay before teardown — Engine bay, before

Interior and dashboard stripped during teardown — Interior teardown

Body shell stripped with engine bay empty during disassembly — Teardown complete

Bare body shell during bodywork and surface preparation — Bodywork under way

Body masked and being prepared for paint — Prepped for paint

Body tub coated in gray primer — Tub in primer

Hard top section on a stand during refinishing — Hard top refinishing

Freshly painted body panel in 1969 Ford yellow — First coats of 1969 Ford yellow

Door in fresh yellow paint with restored trim panel — Fresh paint, door detail

New coil spring suspension with Bilstein shock and front disc brake — Suspension, Bilstein shocks & front discs

Automatic transmission and transfer case prepared for installation — Drivetrain ready for installation

Rebuilt Ford 302 V8 installed in the freshly painted engine bay — The rebuilt 302 V8 goes in

Restored dashboard with wood-rim steering wheel during wiring — Dashboard & wiring

Interior during carpet and trim installation — Interior fit-out

Upholstered black rear bench seat over new black carpeting — Rear bench upholstered

Black front bucket seats installed in the finished interior — Front buckets installed

Fender flare, black wheel and all-terrain tire fitted to fresh paint — Wheels, tires & trim

Baby Palomino nearly complete during final assembly — Final assembly

Engine & Mechanical

Rebuilt for the Road

Under the hood is a rebuilt Ford 302 V8 — a replacement engine, not the Bronco’s original — paired with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

The engine breathes through an Edelbrock carburetor, and the chassis rides on a suspension lifted approximately 3–4 inches with Bilstein shocks and front disc brakes.

Detailed mechanical specifications are available upon request.

Rebuilt Ford 302 V8 with chrome air cleaner and headers, viewed from above

Engine bay of the restored Bronco showing the rebuilt 302 V8

Front view of the engine bay with restored grille and chrome bumper

Interior

Classic Character. Thoughtfully Updated.

The restoration retains the simplicity and character of an early Bronco while incorporating comfortable upgraded seating and a clean, restored interior.

Black custom front bucket seats with the wood-rim steering wheel beyond — Front buckets

Restored dashboard and wood-rim steering wheel — Dashboard & wood-rim wheel

Black rear bench seat with roll cage and black carpeting — Rear bench & roll cage

Rear cargo area with tailgate open showing new black carpeting — Rear cargo area

Hard Top

White Hard Top Included

A removable white hard top is included with the sale.

The top is currently removed and stored, which is why most photographs show Baby Palomino in open-top configuration.

The Bronco before restoration with the white hard top fitted — Shown before restoration with the hard top fitted. The refinished top is currently stored; photographs available upon request.

Documented Restoration

The Build, Documented.

More than 60 photographs document Baby Palomino’s restoration from the early stages of the build through mechanical installation, interior work and final assembly.

For a serious collector or buyer, the restoration archive provides a much more complete picture of how this Bronco came together than finished photographs alone ever could.

Why She’s Available

Ready for Her Next Chapter

Baby Palomino was built to honor a wonderful memory — and she has done exactly that.

With plans to move out of the country next year, I know she will spend far more time sitting than being enjoyed.

I’d rather see her go to someone who appreciates early Broncos, understands the work that went into the restoration, and will actually drive her.

Baby Palomino complete, front three-quarter view in butter yellow with black wheels

Inquiries

Interested in Baby Palomino?

Serious inquiries are welcome.

Additional photographs, restoration documentation and information are available upon request.

Text to Inquire