Classic Broncos: 2023

The end of the year is the time of countdown lists, this year we have the top 13 rarest classic Broncos ever built. These are Broncos that were built by the factory or sponsored in some way by Ford.

#13: The first Bronco model on our countdown is the 1967 U-13 Roadster, of which only 698 were built

#12: The Stroppe Baja Bronco, while not super rare, there were somewhere between 390-650 (most people say 450) of the Stroppe prepped Broncos built between 1970 (71 model year) and the Nov of 1974 (75 model year).

#11: While the exact number of Colombian export Broncos is not known, we have an indication by a Colombian Bronco restoration shop, who has restored many Broncos and has information on more than 80. We estimate 200 or more went to Colombia. Many of them received custom "barn door" modification.

#10: 1968 U-13 Roadster, only 212 rolled off the line for 1968 which makes them one of the rarest factory-built Bronco models.

#9: The 1966 Budd built Broncos come in next on the countdown, the first 200 Bronco body tubs were built by Budd Company, a Detroit area builder of rail cars and custom automobiles.

#8: The Rocky Mountain Sportsman Special comes in next on the list, exact numbers are not easy to find, I estimate there were between 100 and 200 built in the three years they were available.

#7: The 1967 Military Contract Bronco comes in at #7 on the countdown. Only 120 Broncos were built to fulfill that contract, making them quite rare (although there were a limited number of others sold to the DOD throughout the production of the classic Bronco)

#6: Bronco Macho makes it to number 6, there were 110 of the special Broncos built for the Nebraska market, very few exist today.

#5: Another one for a local market was the Gold Rush 1976 Broncos, built for the Colorado Centennial we estimate that less than a hundred of these Broncos were sold.

#4: Yet another Colorado special model was the Denver Bronco, these were meant to become Baja Broncos, but when Stroppe closed his shop, some 50-75 of these specially painted Broncos were sent to Colorado to be reimagined as Denver Bronco - Broncos.....the Denver Bronco NFL team just happened to share the same colors as the Baja Bronco making it an easy marketing job.

#3: Next up is another special Bronco built by Waldoch Crafts in Minnesota, called the Northlander Savage, only 55 of these were built. Not many exist today, due to the salted roads in Minnesota.

At #2 we have another custom built (but factory authorized) Bronco known as the Balloon Chaser Broncos. The Broncos were assembled by the Recreational Vans Inc out of California.

While only two 1977 Broncos actually participated in the Balloon Chase (one is the Stroppe Ambulance), there were many (40-50?) that were given similar mods and paint jobs.

At first place we have a six-way tie, below are six Broncos built by shops authorized by or encouraged by Ford to build them. As far as we know these are all one-off vehicles. Being one-off vehicles there cannot be anything rarer.

The Dune Buster/Duster/Wild Flower

The first one was the Dune Duster built by the Barris Brothers in Hollywood, CA. Even if it had not been modified, this Bronco would qualify as rare as it was one of the first 200 Broncos built (with a Budd Company body tub). The current whereabouts of this Bronco are sadly unknown.

Boss Bronco

The second is the Kar Kraft built 1968 Boss Bronco, this was a feasibility project on behalf of Bunkie Knudsen, his idea was shot down. Powered by a Shelby Mustang 351W engine, it got special treatment with the help of Bill Stroppe.

The Bronco was luckily saved from the crusher by an employee who recognized the significance of this rig.

Parnelli Jones Special #1

The 1968 wagon was built by Parnelli Jones and Bill Stroppe, this was the predecessor to the Baja Bronco, called the Parnelli Jones Special, we don't know if Ford was involved or not, nor do we know if more than one were built as this is the only specimen we have seen.

Parnelli Jones Special #2

After the Baja Bronco program ended, Parnelli got into Indy racing, and he owned a Ford dealership which supported his efforts. They built at least one of these special 1977 Broncos

The Bronco Hunter:

This Bronco leaves more questions than answers. Here is what we do know: The Bronco left the factory in 1969 as an all-Wimbledon White wagon with no special options. It was shipped to Holman-Moody in California to be given a special motor, roll cage, lift kit, bigger tires and fender flares. It was painted orange (Poppy Red) and given the name "Bronco Hunter". No one knows why it was built, why it was given that name nor if any others like it exist. We believe it may have been another feasibility project to test the possibility of a Baja Bronco. This Bronco was built after Holman-Moody and Stropper parted ways yet features Stroppe parts and a H-M badge.

The Shelby Bronco:

Called the Shelby Bronco, not because Carroll Shelby built it or modified it, but because he owned it. It was the very first Bronco to be built and also the 1st Bronco to get a V-8. It has some unique features that no other Bronco received.

Honorable Mention

Pony:

The Bronco Buggy, while not really a Bronco, it started life as a Bronco frame. Modified by Kar Karft into the basis of what would eventually become a desert racer known as "Pony"