The Allure of the 1969 Bronco: A Nantucket Love Story
In the quaint surroundings of Nantucket, a 1969 Ford Bronco, resplendent in its signature Brittany Blue, takes center stage, now owned by Lee Milazzo. As the proud proprietor of the Samuel Owen galleries in both Nantucket and Greenwich, Conn., Milazzo embodies the dual life of a social critic and a vibrant participant within the very community he observes. This duality is particularly evident when he jovially admits, “I don’t want to be that jerky Nantucket guy who says his wife bought him one for his 50th birthday, but my wife bought one for my 50th birthday.”
A Daily Driver of Dreams
Milazzo’s Bronco, while undoubtedly a vintage vehicle with all the associated maintenance challenges, serves as his daily driver. It’s a machine built for both style and practicality, capable of navigating the sandy stretches of Cisco Beach. Unlike many contemporary car owners who might shy away from taking their prized possessions off paved roads, Milazzo isn’t afraid to let his dream car embrace the island’s rugged beauty.
The Changing Face of Nantucket’s Car Culture
Once upon a time, a rugged four-wheel-drive “beater” was the go-to vehicle to cruise on the island, with sandy kids in the back and tires lowered for beach travel. The current trend, however, leans towards meticulously restored versions of the same vintage models. Today’s ideal driveway adornments are polished classics like the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, and the luxurious Mercedes G-Wagon, with price tags starting around $100,000. Such vehicles, it seems, are meant for showroom glamour rather than sandy excursions.
Milazzo recalls hosting a vintage Broncos Day, where half of the attendees proudly proclaimed their investments—sometimes as high as $300,000—left them unwilling to risk a grain of sand in their immaculate machines.
The Status Symbol Paradox
As Milazzo parades through the bustling streets of Nantucket, he keeps an eye out for fellow admirers of automotive beauty. One such admirer calls out from a bench, expressing his admiration for the Bronco, “It’s my dream car.” This exchange highlights a curious phenomenon: vintage vehicles, especially beautifully restored ones, have transformed into status symbols. Interestingly, this shift has driven many high-end owners to keep their classic rides off the coastline altogether.
In a world where understated generational wealth has given way to glitz and glamour, longtime residents remark that Nantucket has grown flashier. Terms like “Hamptons” are casually dropped, indicating the rising tide of luxury real estate, which has necessitated new classifications like “ultra luxury” and “mega luxury” to describe homes priced over $10 million.
Trends in Restoration and Customization
The burgeoning demand for high-end vintage restorations has not gone unnoticed by experts like Craig Carreau, founder of Caruzn Customs. As he shows off his impressive 12-acre property in Plymouth, Carreau cites this movement as the rise of “big boy toys.” With a skilled crew working daily to refurbish classic 4x4s, he shares the exorbitant range of customizations available—from calfskin leather upholstery to the unique feature of an exhaust system that can sound like a Lamborghini or a Rolls-Royce at the touch of a button.
Among the elite clientele is one billionaire who opted for an automated humidor in the center console of his customized 1972 Bronco, a testament to how deeply personal and extravagant these vehicles have become.
The Waitlist and the Competition
For those interested in commissioning Carreau’s services, the waitlist can stretch 18 months or longer. This timing can be attributed to the challenge of sourcing parts globally, the demands of labor, and the fierce competition from other wealthy enthusiasts who often attempt to circumvent the wait by trying to entice Carreau with extravagant offers.
Cars as Seasonal Companions
As summer approaches, many of these vintage beauties make their seasonal appearance on Nantucket, while others enjoy a winter retreat in Florida handled with care via flatbed transportation. For those that remain on the island, climate-controlled storage is available for a fee, ensuring these vehicles stay in pristine condition.
The dramatic increase in interest in restored vintage cars surged during the COVID era. As the island saw an influx of these vehicles, amusing scenarios arose, such as two Mercedes G-Wagons being mistakenly swapped in a parking lot due to their striking likeness.
Performance in the Eye of the Beholder
While vintage 4x4s may lack modern performance features—acceleration, handling, advanced suspension—their cultural status has created a new form of performance altogether. The ultimate status is no longer just about speed; rather, it’s about the carefully curated image these cars project, especially on social media platforms like Instagram. Hashtags like #nantucket, #classiccar, and #beachlife encapsulate the lifestyle these vehicles represent.
The Ripple Effect of Status Symbols
This burgeoning trend has inspired many to engage in vintage car rentals for photoshoots, creating a feedback loop where the desire for Nantucket glamour fuels an entire industry. Nick Johnson, who began a rental service called ACK Classics, noted that what initially stemmed from his personal passion has transformed into a thriving business.
Although the appeal of vintage vehicles drew him in, the growing value and status of these cars weigh on him. He often finds himself second-guessing whether or not to take his prized 1970 Land Rover Defender to the beach for fear of spoiling its pristine condition.
An Evolving Narrative
As Nantucket’s roads become dotted with vintage vehicles glistening in the sun, a new narrative unfolds, one that blends aesthetics with social commentary, all revolving around the increasingly intertwined lives of its residents and their vehicles. The classic Ford Bronco driven by Milazzo is not merely an automobile; it symbolizes the essence of a changing culture on this storied island, where the storied past meets a glamorous present.