1968 HalfCab Fire Truck

[Broncoblood]

doing some research on a 1968 Half Cab fleet vehicle that was used on Edwards Air Force Base as a fire truck in the emergency unit.

was hoping to find anybody out there that either was in the military stationed at Edwards Air Force Base?
knew of anyone that might of been there in the late 60's through the 90's?
possibly knows anything about the outfitted fire trucks they used on military bases?
or even best knew of this truck?

the half cab was purchased from a military auction in1982.

any help out there would be greatly appreciated.

 

[okie4570]

Gov DSO and special order color and all that or civilian contract bronco?

 

[Broncoblood]

plain 71 DSO

bought from Santa Monica Ford

color code J - Rangoon Red

it was a 'retail' purchase truck though

you can see the pattern on the half cab roof where a flasher / siren was mounted, the outside / inside of the top was painted red along with the bumpers.

special plate bumper on front.

we have one hopeful source that we waiting for from the EAFB alumni.

 

[scoutingranch]

Keep in mind that early Broncos were used in the utility companies for patroling gas and electirc primary and secondary on right-a-ways as well here in SoCal as well on Militray Bases. My point being there may be no evidence it was military. But, I will be watching to see if you find out anything. This also includes Fire Departments in the public sector.

 

[Broncoblood]

true that and appreciate the info and stats.

the seller lived in Tehachipi
the seller (older gentlemen) told us it was a fire rig out on the base, said he used to have a framed picture of it in action somewhere in his house back in the day but cannot find it?
the red leads us to fire rig?
the bumper plate leads us to winch or some type of pump possibly?
then the 1982 sale of the rig from a 'military auction' helps us stabilize those thoughts above?
will keep you posted

 

[Broncobowsher]

There is also the chance it was bought off a dealer lot and not special ordered.
Or the 3rd party upfitter that made it into the fire truck just found it at a dealer, or ordered it as a regular customer from a dealer.
Marti report will tell if it was stock, or customer ordered.

The DSO71 pretty much states this is not the typical military Bronco. But does not rule out that it was owned by the military.

 

[Broncoblood]

so it was purchased at Santa Monica Ford as 'retail' which i believe meant ordered vs 'fleet' which would of been inventory available?
the DSO item # was 058V
it was ordered with nothing extra except 'Black Sidewall Tires' in May of 1968, picked up 2 months later on July 29th
i believe it was a 3rd party outfitter or in house on base?
was hoping for a former Tehachipi area resident / Air Force / Military personnel would come across this thread and shed some light.
thank you for the info

 

[DirtDonk]

The only thing I can add is that the license plate indicates it was registered originally as a “commercial vehicle“ which was common.
But rather than indicating something special for the military base, or fire duties, it was probably a requirement because it was a U14 pickup?

Have we ever talked about that? Anybody know whether all U14 rigs were always, or sometimes registered as commercial vehicles in different states?

 

[Broncoblood]

yes that original California plate being commercial i believe was a common registration for these.
being purchased 'retail' means it was ordered, correct versus just buying a Bronco off the lot?
the Rangoon red follows suit ordered from dealership then the special holes for roof siren, plate bumper, bed interior and quarter panel wear and both interior red paint and bumpers all have us leaning towards the assumed fire cab history.

still waiting on a few sources for a possible photo to surface???

 

[Oldtimer]

I6 or V8?
How about some more photos of bed, and engine compartment.

 

[Broncoblood]

Oldtimer from Sunnyvale, hopefully you can shed some light?

 

[Oldtimer]

No light, just curious about 68 survivors.