Bronco Cryptozoology #35: The Postal Delivery 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.

When Ford introduced the Bronco in 1966 the marketing team was already courting fleet accounts, and few were bigger than the United States Postal Service.

Ford figured the Bronco would be a perfect mail delivery vehicle, after all it was a 4-wheel drive, and the post office did have a motto about weather not preventing them from making their rounds. In addition, the Bronco had a tight turning radius and plenty of cargo room. 

The Postal Service agreed to buy 3000 Wimbledon White 1966 Broncos for the service.

A shop in Pontiac Michigan converted the Broncos to right hand drive and installed automatic transmissions & shifters from the mustang.

No pictures of the USPS Broncos exist, because they never existed, but there is a connection between the classic Bronco and the USPS.

In the mid-sixties Ford filled a contract for a delivery wagon for the USPS. The Wagon was called the G100 and was built on a Bronco chassis and used many other parts from the Bronco.

The wagons were 2-wheel drive and operated from the right-hand side. 

The motors were 250 ci six cylinders with C-4 transmissions, right out of the mustang. 

The Bronco parts included the rear axle, springs, frame, steering column, gauge cluster, front bumper & headlight bezels. 

The front axle was replaced with a hollow tube that had C bushing mounts welded to them.

The contract lasted through the early 70's, many of them (like most old postal vehicles) were converted to ice cream trucks.

Bronco Barn Find: Blue '71 Wagon

 This Swiss Aqua Blue 1971 Bronco Wagon was for sale, the seller put some new treads on it to make it mobile.

Other than the cut fenders, custom pipe bumper and a floor shifter the rig is mostly stock and a great opportunity for a rebuild.

The few parts that are missing would be replaced in a restoration anyway.

Looks like someone stole the door hardware, thus the strap to keep the passenger door shut.

Random Bronco Pics #34 Merry Xmas

 

Bronco 2WD Low-Riders

 There are a surprising number of 2wd Low-Rider Broncos built. I suppose once new body tubs became available, that a 2wd Low-Rider was inevitable. Like 'em or not, here they are.....

Bronco of the Day: Pearl White Wagon

 The Bronco du Juor is a custom Bronco Wagon painted in pearl white with sliver & black accents.

They listed this as a 1968, but the marker lights and front blinkers say it is a later model.

The motor is a supercharged 5 liter Coyote V-8. Tires are 35" Nitto Trail Grappler M/Ts on ADV6 18x10 wheels.