Bronco Cryptozoology #39: The Winchester 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.

In 1967 the Ford district manager for the Rocky Mountain region was planning a special Bronco for his market, similar to the High Country Mustangs. The Bronco would come to be called "The Rocky Mountain Sportsman Special".

Word about the planned special edition Bronco got out and the district manager for the New England region wanted one for his customers, but this manager took it a step further. He partnered with Winchester, who was about to celebrate their 200th anniversary.

The partnership included a new Winchester model 94 rifle with the purchase of the Winchester Special Bronco.

The two packages were similar, outdoor colors, gun racks, roof racks, special floor mats and badges. 

The Broncos were Sport models with 302 V-8 engines, dual tanks, swing away spare tire carrier and larger L78 snow/mud tires.

The Broncos were shipped to Hoffman Ford in Hartford Connecticut who installed the hitch, roof rack, gun racks and installed the larger tires. 

When the customer took delivery of the Bronco a new Winchester rifle would be waiting for them.

This was before the 1968 Gun Control Act went into effect and buying a gun from a dealer was not required by law.

Some of you may have figured this out as pure fiction, but is it?

A member of a Bronco forum stumbled across this reference to a Winchester Special with the Pony Express Bay Brown paint....no other evidence could be found.

If you know anything about this, please comment below.