Bronco Cryptozoology #22: Panelli Jones Special 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. 

The first official Baja Bronco was built in 1970 (1971 model year), but before that there were some prototypes built.

Back in 1968 racer Parnelli Jones was part owner of a Southern California Ford dealer (Vel's-Parnelli Jones Ford). That year they produced what I believe to be the prototype of the Baja Bronco.

The Bronco had the Baja Bronco colors (different shade of red/orange, but close enough). Stroppe roll bar, bumper braces, fenders cut, rear fender flares, wide wheels and big tires.

Take note of the fender badge above the Bronco script, it reads "Parnelli Jones".

The roof has a removed section, I presume for watching races or dangerous animals (like on an African Safari)?

So did this Bronco actually exist? Were their more than one built? Was this the 1st prototype for the Baja Bronco?

I don't know the answers to all of those questions, but this Bronco does exist and was built by Vel's-Parnelli Jones Ford, they also built other special Ford cars, see the article below.