Of the nearly 250,000 early Broncos produced from 1966-1977 a few special models, and special one of one examples, stand out. And while we love any Ford Bronco, when “curating” our collection my focus has been on finding the best original examples of these special Bronco variants to span the 1966-1977 production run and just how unique Broncos can be.
Which is why I was thrilled to find this very early production 1966 U13-Code Bronco Sports Roadster. The Sports. Roadster was only available for three years, 1966-1968, and roughly 5,000 total were built in this time. However it is the 1966 models that are the most unique, largely due to their being a first-year model when production and other details were still being figured out by Ford leading to a lot of running changes along the way. So the earlier the truck the more of these rare “early” features it will have. The problem is over the years most early trucks have shed these unique parts as stuff broke, wore out, or was simply just removed by owners trying to personalize or improve their Broncos.
But this isn’t the case with this 33,000 mile unrestored Sports Roadster. Amazingly original throughout it has clearly been used but not abused. Its original Arcadian Blue paint still shines, its original silver upholstery is still supple, and its original soft top and doors still protects its occupants from the elements when needed. Well, mostly. Even the chassis retains its original finishes and factory markings- pretty cool stuff for a 51-year old off road vehicle! It is estimated by the U13 experts that only a few hundred Sports Roadsters still exist and of those very few are truly correct, let alone original and unrestored.
And lest you think all Sports Roadsters are equal when it comes to equipment that isn’t the case. These were bare- bones sporty trucks that had an options list many times longer that their standard equipment list. After all, Ford had learned with the Mustang a low base price sells cars and options make the money! Our Roadster has the following factory options: Chrome horn ring, Cigar-cigarette lighter, Heater & Defroster ~ Fresh Air, Manual AM radio & antenna, Protective dash speaker grille cover, LH & RH bucket seats, Bench type rear seat, IGG lamp flashers, Padded black dash pad, Padded LH & RH sun visors, Front & rear chrome channel bumpers, Bright-metal taillight bezels, Inside tailgate spare tire carrier, Body side accent paint stripes, Rocker panel racing stripes, Bright-metal 15” only wheel covers (with 15” wheels only), and High flotation tires (9.5 X 15 4 ply).
While the 170 GID straight 6 and 3 speed manual transmission, the only available powertrain in early 1966, pales in comparison to the hot rod Boss Bronco in the stable it is smooth and moves this old girl along as fast as anybody needs to go. Especially without any doors.
Please enjoy the photos of this great old Roadster, when Ford put the “sport” into utility vehicles long before anybody else.
