Bronco of the Day: 1976 3-model

 I spotted this Bronco online a while back and decided to nickname it the "3-model". It is a 1976 Bronco, which started life as a Wagon. Both the Roadster and the 1/2 Cab Pick-up were dropped as options well before this Bronco left Detroit. They were added by the owner.

At any rate I will let the pictures do the talking.

Bronco Babes #42

 

Bronco Cryptozoology #42: The Galpinized Bronco

Cryptozoology is the study of mythical creatures that may or may not exist.

This applies to Broncos how? Well, there is a lot of mystery and myths surrounding certain Bronco models and specialty-built Broncos.

So, this new segment at the blog will focus on these prototypes, one of a kind, special editions and the most historical Broncos ever built.

To keep the posts short, we will include only a brief story of each

We will try to separate fact from fiction and possibly come up with more questions than answers.

At first, I was going to compile this into one post, but it got waaay too long.

Galpin Ford is the largest Ford Dealer in the World. They started customizing Fords in 1952 when the owner had his team customize his new 1952 Ford Convertible. That started the division known as G.A.S., which stands for Galpin Auto Sports.

Since that time thousands of custom Fords have been built and sold by the San Fernando Valley dealer.

When the Ford Bronco was introduced in 1965, Galpin was already planning for some custom mods. The question is how and what.

The Sport Broncos received wider steel wheels (in white), larger off-road tires, rear fender flares, trimmed front fender and dual shocks front and rear. Inside Smittybilt roll bars were added for safety.

Some of the Broncos received custom paint jobs as well

There is no data on what years and how many Broncos were "Galpinized", but this is a true story. If you own one or have any info on these Broncos feel free to leave a comment.

Bronco Barn Find 1967 Wagon snow-plow

 This 1967 Frost Turquoise Wagon was used as a snow-plow before being retired and sold off to new owners (who will hopefully save this beauty).

The Wagon still has its original 170ci six cylinder engine, inside the stock bench seat is intact.

Although rusty and beat up she is a prime candidate for a restoration.

Broncos around the World

The Ford Bronco has been around the world. Hard to believe with less than 250,000 classic Broncos built that they would have reached the four corners of the globe. 

Let us not forget that while the classic Bronco was being built a huge amount of the World was not accessible for the Bronco to be exported to. Between China and the Soviet Union 27% of the World was closed off to trade.

Also keep in mind the Bronco was left hand drive, while not illegal in right hand drive countries, it did not help with their popularity in those places that do things backwards....

First we have Canada, not a big surprise, while some American cars are made in Canada, the vast majority are made in the US and shipped north, just as the Bronco was. This one served with the Ontario Provincial Police

Our next stop is South America, specifically Colombia. In 1967 333 U-13 Roadster Broncos were exported to Colombia. Of those an unknown number were modified with these barn door style tail/lift gates.

Here are some Colombian Police officers overlooking Bogata, this Bronco was not a part of the '67 export, this Bronco is later as it has the US DOT mandated side marker lights, which didn't appear until the 1969 model year.

 This 1967 U-13 was restored in Colombia and used some newer Bronco parts, take note of the front blinkers and Ranger stripe kit

Sticking with Latin America, here is an early Bronco in Panama being used to start the radial engine on a RAPSA plane (Rutas Aereas Panamenas SA). 

Here is one from Ecuador

another one from South America

In Iceland the Bronco has been popular since they first started selling them there, below is a picture of a Ford dealer in Iceland sometime in the early 70's

I wonder if the bronco below is in the dealership picture above??

Some Icelandic Broncos modified for the ice/snow fields.

Another Icelandic Bronco, check out the aftermarket hard top, or maybe it is a modified factory top?

This one was shipped to Vietnam during the war, as a Navy admin vehicle. There are reports that several Broncos served there during the war

Another Bronco, picture taken in south Vietnam

Military Broncos were also sent to Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba as well as Rainbow City Army Base in Panama.

Here are a couple from Thailand, note they are right hand drive.

This Bronco was found for sale in Indonesia, it is also right-hand drive

Here is a picture of a Bronco towing one of the GT40s that raced at LeMans, this picture was supposedly taken in France in 1966

This one is in France as well

Another Frenchie Bronco

This one is in the Netherlands

Here are some Broncos that served the United States Military Liason Mission in Germany during the Cold War

This one was used by an Italian movie company in the filming of a movie in North Africa.

Here are a couple of Broncos on Safari in Africa

The Bronco below was built by Bill Stroppe for a rich Texan, who had it shipped to South Africa for a safari.

This Bronco was supposedly converted to right-hand drive for export to South Africa

This one was recently for sale in Johannesburg, South Africa

This one was used in Africa for the filming of a French movie, it might be one the ones above?

Another one, the terrain looks like Scotland maybe?

This one is in Iran