Bronco Cryptozoology #4: The Ugandan 4-door 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.

In 1960 the African Continent was changed forever, that year 17 African Nations got their independence. Two years later Uganda followed suit.

In 1971 A military officer by the name of Idi Amin rose to power in Uganda. Upon taking the reins of the country he ordered contracts to be placed for new vehicles for his Presidential motorcade.

In late 1971 the Ugandan Government put out a specification for three 4-door four-wheel drive utility wagons. 

The specification was written around the new Land Rover Series III four-door 109" wheelbase wagon and included the light green paint (called "pastel green" by Land Rover) with white roofs. They also requested a roof rack and a recovery winch. There was a problem, however, with how the specification was written.

The 1971 Land Rover Series III

Ford responded to the quote request with a price much lower than that of the Brits, who thought they would win solely on their name and the fact that few vehicles existed that could compete.

Ford believed the 4-doors and 109" wheelbase was not a requirement, it was simply mentioned in the spec.

Upon being awarded the contract Ford submitted information, only to have their proposal rejected. Rather than give up the order they contracted with a limousine maker, Moloney Coachbuilders out of Chicago, to stretch the Bronco install another set of door pillars and the rear doors. 

Bill Stroppe was called in to supply the off-road equipment, similar to what he put on the Baja Broncos including fender flares, dual shocks, power steering and larger tires.

Ford delivered the three 4-door Broncos equipped with roof racks, warn winches and light green paint. 

Very few pictures of these Broncos exist

Ford shipped the vehicles on time, as requested, but the Ugandan dictator decided he wanted one more option, and that was the no payment option. Ford never got paid for the three special built Broncos.

Today the whereabouts of these Broncos is unknown, the reason is simple, they never existed.

I made up this story...hope you enjoyed it.