1972-73 owners-mind your P's and Q's

[LUBr LuvR]

A new article in Hemmings on a "P and Q" truck:

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/unrestored-1972-ford-bronco-ranger/

I'm surmising it is anyway, based on the production date, etc.

Todd Z.

Todd,

Very interesting read, thanks for posting up the link. Do you know if the article is in the print version? Would love to know the breakdowns of the numbers on the other ‘72 Ranger colors if that info is available. My ‘72 is Limestone Green, like Brandy’s.

 

[toddz69]

Todd,

Very interesting read, thanks for posting up the link. Do you know if the article is in the print version? Would love to know the breakdowns of the numbers on the other ‘72 Ranger colors if that info is available. My ‘72 is Limestone Green, like Brandy’s.

I don't know if it is, or if it will be. They usually post articles like that after they've appeared in print, in hopes that subscribers who pay for print mags don't feel like they're getting the shaft. It's not as extensive, or in the style of article, that appears in Collectible Car or Muscle Machines. If it's anywhere in print, it would probably be in the regular Hemmings Motor News magazine.

As an aside, Jeff Koch is an Arizona-based writer, who has literally written thousands of articles for Hemmings and other publications over the years. I've read his stuff for years and have had friends who had features on their cars penned by him, but I've not yet met him.

I'm guessing the color #'s came from a Marti Report the owner has - maybe our extensive Marti thread here might have similar data in a report posted there?

Todd Z.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

I don't know if it is, or if it will be. They usually post articles like that after they've appeared in print, in hopes that subscribers who pay for print mags don't feel like they're getting the shaft. It's not as extensive, or in the style of article, that appears in Collectible Car or Muscle Machines. If it's anywhere in print, it would probably be in the regular Hemmings Motor News magazine.

As an aside, Jeff Koch is an Arizona-based writer, who has literally written thousands of articles for Hemmings and other publications over the years. I've read his stuff for years and have had friends who had features on their cars penned by him, but I've not yet met him.

I'm guessing the color #'s came from a Marti Report the owner has - maybe our extensive Marti thread here might have similar data in a report posted there?

Todd Z.

I can only plead insanity or blame that question on a “Monday after a holiday” fog, lol. That number would be 135. . Looks like back issues are available, just have to figure which one it’s in. Would love to have a print copy for the next time I’m told it absolutely can’t be a ‘72.

 

[okie4570]

Todd,

Very interesting read, thanks for posting up the link. Do you know if the article is in the print version? Would love to know the breakdowns of the numbers on the other ‘72 Ranger colors if that info is available. My ‘72 is Limestone Green, like Brandy’s.

I have dozens and dozens of Martis saved, lots of 72' Explorers, and Explorer Sports, Sports, base models, a couple Stroppes, but not one 72' Ranger Marti. Yours is the first I've seen.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

I have dozens and dozens of Martis saved, lots of 72' Explorers, and Explorer Sports, Sports, base models, a couple Stroppes, but not one 72' Ranger Marti. Yours is the first I've seen.

Trust me it was not a good feeling at first, when looking up the VIN and it didn’t exist in the listed ranges of either a 1972 or 1973! Finding this thread filled in a lot of the blanks and turned the puzzle into, well heck - that’s actually pretty cool. Sure wish someone who worked for Ford back in the day could provide the answer as to why they were held back - but sold and titled as ‘72s.

Usually when hearing “yours is the first” it doesn’t turn out to be unique or unusual in a good way, lol.

 

[okie4570]

Trust me it was not a good feeling at first, when looking up the VIN and it didn’t exist in the listed ranges of either a 1972 or 1973! Finding this thread filled in a lot of the blanks and turned the puzzle into, well heck - that’s actually pretty cool. Sure wish someone who worked for Ford back in the day could provide the answer as to why they were held back - but sold and titled as ‘72s.

Usually when hearing “yours is the first” it doesn’t turn out to be unique or unusual in a good way, lol.

That's the only I4 body code I've seen too, I've never seen it on any other year Ranger Marti, and every other Ranger Marti I've seen says Ranger somewhere in the info. @toddz69 is this going to be the only way to ID a 72' Ranger you think? By the body code only?

 

[LUBr LuvR]

That's the only I4 body code I've seen too, I've never seen it on any other year Ranger Marti, and every other Ranger Marti I've seen says Ranger somewhere in the info. @toddz69 is this going to be the only way to ID a 72' Ranger you think? By the body code only?

Possibly because Rangers were “new” for 1973, the name could not be used prior to that model year? The seats are listed as Avocado “Sport”, which is also an oddity, as all Sport seats were parchment.

Hope another ‘72 Ranger owner chimes in with their interior code to compare how the different colors were listed.

 

[okie4570]

Possibly because Rangers were “new” for 1973, the name not be used prior to that model year? The seats are listed as Avocado “Sport”, which is also an oddity, as all Sport seats were parchment.

Hope another ‘72 Ranger owner chimes in with their interior code to compare how the different colors were listed.

I've been looking for another one the last couple of days since you posted yours, and went back and looked at all my 72' Martis and their body codes just in case I missed one because I was just looking at the year and for the Ranger data.

 

[toddz69]

That's the only I4 body code I've seen too, I've never seen it on any other year Ranger Marti, and every other Ranger Marti I've seen says Ranger somewhere in the info. @toddz69 is this going to be the only way to ID a 72' Ranger you think? By the body code only?

Interesting catch - that might be the new clue we have to identify such things......

Todd Z.

 

[okie4570]

Interesting catch - that might be the new clue we have to identify such things......

Todd Z.

Jimmy has a H4 Ginger Sport buckets and G4 Blue Sport buckets for 72' Rangers. No Ranger info listed but has "tape delete" listed on one. Only 61 of the Bahama Blue's built.

 

[toddz69]

So I guess calling the pre-72 Ranger seats as 'Insert Color' Sport seats is how they did it and one way to tell.

Todd Z.

 

[RJA102]

Just picked up this Bronco on ebay. Looks to be another 72/73 Ranger anomaly. Original title and owners manual are from 1972, and no Ranger package listed on the Marti Report. It also has the I4 interior code.

Ryan

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Just picked up this Bronco on ebay. Looks to be another 72/73 Ranger anomaly. Original title and owners manual are from 1972, and no Ranger package listed on the Marti Report. It also has the I4 interior code.

Ryan

Wow, that’s a really late production date for a ‘72! It was ordered the day after mine was built. Looks like life in MN took a toll on the body. In the pic of the owner card, the carpet doesn’t look faded. How awesome that you have all the documentation clearly showing it being registered and titled as a ‘72. Were you able to talk with the original owner?

 

[toddz69]

Very interesting find!

Todd Z.

 

[RJA102]

Wow, that’s a really late production date for a ‘72! It was ordered the day after mine was built. Looks like life in MN took a toll on the body. In the pic of the owner card, the carpet doesn’t look faded. How awesome that you have all the documentation clearly showing it being registered and titled as a ‘72. Were you able to talk with the original owner?

Unfortunately not. I bought it from a broker in MN that sells old rusted out Bronco's. It sounds like it sat for quite a while though, but it had enough MN winters to rust out the body pretty good. Thankfully the frame and running gear is still in good condition. I am a little torn on what to do with it now knowing the history. I was going to part it out, but may have to keep it all together and pass it along to someone that wants to do a full stock build.

 

[toddz69]

Unfortunately not. I bought it from a broker in MN that sells old rusted out Bronco's. It sounds like it sat for quite a while though, but it had enough MN winters to rust out the body pretty good. Thankfully the frame and running gear is still in good condition. I am a little torn on what to do with it now knowing the history. I was going to part it out, but may have to keep it all together and pass it along to someone that wants to do a full stock build.

Monos Broncos here on classic?

He sells a lot of rusty ones.

Todd Z.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Truly hope you’ll find someone who would find it worth restoring. If you do end up parting it out, please let me know if any of the avocado door panels or interior pieces survived?

 

[RJA102]

Monos Broncos here on classic?

He sells a lot of rusty ones.

Todd Z.

Not sure if he is on here. But it was a guy named Chad outside of Duluth, MN. He's had 4 or 5 Broncos on ebay the last few months.

 

[RJA102]

Truly hope you’ll find someone who would find it worth restoring. If you do end up parting it out, please let me know if any of the avocado door panels or interior pieces survived?

I will let you know if anything is worth saving. I am going to keep the rotten door panels and hopefully make some templates to make some new ones. Do you know if anyone is re making the Ranger interiors? I think Broncohut stopped producing them

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Last I heard SMS Auto Fabrics was still making them, but the lead times were very long. You can get the vinyl and houndstooth for the seats from them as well. Would suggest calling them. Tested adding the door panels to cart and no price displayed.

ACC makes the carpet, in the correct color (Moss) and loop texture for the ‘72s and ‘73s.

Side note: For those that have a ‘74 with the avocado interior the pile carpet is NOT available in the correct Moss color. Either have to go loop carpet or alternate Willow green in pile, which does not match as well).

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Suppliers of quality classic auto interiors since 1977. The largest inventory of Auto Upholstery Cloth, Vinyl, Headliners, Carpets, Vinyl Tops, & Door Panels.

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