I picked up this 1996 Eddie Bauer at a dealership in ‘97 and have driven it 198,000 miles since. I am a retired U.S. Army Reserve officer and was mobilized in 2001, three days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Part of those miles included carrying me cross-country 1,900 miles to my mobilization site in Virginia in time to report for duty in Washington, DC. From there, I was deployed to the Middle East and on to combat in Afghanistan. I returned safely to the U.S. and one of the most welcome sights was my trusty steed where I had left it, waiting to take me home.

This Eddie Bauer Bronco is a true survivor and is as original as it can be, except for OEM paint and American-made Cooper Discoverer AT3’s, and is powered by a stock 351 Windsor. An Army Oil Analysis Program engineer suggested that I treat the engine with slick 50 upon ownership and follow up with full synthetic oil changes. The result is that after nearly 200,000 miles, it runs smooth, quiet, and doesn’t burn a drop of oil. The interior has held up superbly and has required only minor attention, and LMC is always my go-to for replacement parts. I keep this pony in a covered stall and can’t imagine ever parting with my battle buddy.

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald P. Lopez, U.S. Army Reserve, Retired