The streets of Aspen were littered with awesome old trucks — Wagoneers, Range Rovers, Broncos, Suburbans and this really great looking Toyota Land Cruiser. As you may remember, I really like the old school smaller SUVs and I’m going to need to add this to my wish list of classic rides. I have to think one of these Land Cruisers would be a cinch to park in Manhattan — and that winch might even come in handy. The only question is, where to start? Defender? Bronco II? Scout? Willys? More photos after the jump. Ride Colorado, ride.

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That is a fine looking piece of machinery, a 1976 two-tone Ford Bronco Ranger in very nice condition. The best part is this slice of pure American pride is for sale. I spotted her over the weekend and it was love at first sight — I mean look at those wipers! From the looks of it this model seems to be the precursor to another favorite of mine, the Ford Bronco II. If I remember correctly this is pretty much the same car that the football coach drives in Dazed and Confused. So if you want to be like a 1970′s Texas football coach then scoop this baby up. If an ACL reader does buy it, I’ll take you out for a steak dinner and give you some Lone Star beers from my private reserve, because you are one bad ass individual and you deserve a pat on the back.

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First the Bronco II, then the IH Scout and now…the Dodge A100 van-truck! I’m getting more obscure by the minute, but check out the flat face on this Mopar mother. How could you not love a machine that looks like that, big-old spit screen windshield and everything. Its a van with 30% of its sheet metal whittled off — like someone just took a sawzall and chopped it up into a truck. American engineering at its finest. I suppose it does makes sense when you consider the fact that the A-100 was offered as a straight-up van as well. I much prefer the truck version though — especially in that robin’s egg two-tone.

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My obsession with boxy SUVs first touched on the Bronco II and now shifts to International Harvester’s Scout. Often considered one of the first sport utility vehicles, the Scout is an American classic with a cult following. A few months back there was an excellent article in the Oregonian about 90 year-old Scout dealer Ernie Bisio. Take a few minutes and read the article on Ernie and watch the video below. They don’t make ‘em like the Scout anymore, but they really don’t make ‘em like Ernie.

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Seeing how The Big Three have been in Washington — hat in hand begging for a bailout — what could be a better time to highlight the golden era of American automobile manufacturing, the 1980s. I imagine my affection for the Ford Bronco II is not something I share with many of you readers. I see the truck as a quintessential piece of my Midwestern upbringing, a purely nostalgic exercise. A fetish of sorts. Eventually when I have a massive garage and a collection of cars, the Bronco II will be right there next to my Land Rover Defender, BMW 2002, a 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and my 1995 Chevrolet Impala. Its an odd bunch that is for sure.

The Bronco II was a smaller version of the Bronco based on the Ranger truck line. The small SUVs were produced from 1984 to 1990. More photos after the jump.

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