Decoding my 71 Bronco Vin

[Dogman71]

Thought I would try decoding the VIN for my 71. Really trying to determine the stock paint color, it's a metallic blue but the vin plate indicates the letter B for color. I can't find a color code B as a paint option for a 71 Bronco. Any help would be appreciated in decoding my vin plate.Thanks!
U15GLL42490 WB 092 COLOR B MODEL U150 BODY 9U TRANS C AXLE B8L DSO 73

 

[okie4570]

Vin = 302 engine and April 71' build date
B= can't find a B on any color code chart for Ford 71' sure it's not a 6? Bahama Blue
in 72' and 73' B is Wind Blue, but that looks lighter blue than in your pics.
9U=Parchment vinyl buckets and rear seat
B8L=2900lb rear with 3.50 gears and limited slip
DSO= Salt Lake City area

 

[Dogman71]

Thanks for the info, I found something mentioned a letter B refers to a custom color, not sure but I've seen this blue around. Based on the 71 color chart it could be Bahama Blue or maybe Winter Blue Poly. I will try to attach a pic of the vin plate so you can see as well showing the stamped B for the color. Thanks again!

 

[Dogman71]

Here's the pic of the Vin Plate.

 

[okie4570]

Yeah sure enough a B. Time to order a Marti Report for some info on your bronco

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Yeah sure enough a B. Time to order a Marti Report for some info on your bronco

"B" is Wind Blue paint according to my Marti report.

 

[Dogman71]

Just googled Marti Report, had never heard of it. It would be cool to have one. Thanks for the help!

 

[okie4570]

"B" is Wind Blue paint according to my Marti report.

Looking in your "garage" yours is a 72' correct? I'm not seeing Wind Blue as a color offered for 71' in any of the literature or color code threads, interesting puzzle to solve

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Yes, mine is a '72. And it has a build date of November '71.

 

[Dogman71]

Well, received my Marti report today found the B represented "Medium Blue Metallic Paint", based on the statistics there were 29 mfd with this paint Code and 26 with the Paint/Trim Codes. Very cool report with great information. Thanks okie4570 for the Marti Report suggestion.

 

[DirtDonk]

That's great news. Love the Marti Reports.
If that color and code don't show up on any '71 charts (or even the other years by color name?) it would be good to post it up in the master color picture thread.

Is "medium blue metallic" a color name in other years by any chance? Ford had a very nasty habit of changing color codes year by year, and changing the names that went a long with them from year to year, and even changing the names on the same colors year to year! It sucks for consistency!
If I remember from what Andrew and ToddZ have said, even though the Stroppe Baja Broncos were all the same color, the "orange/red" color they sported went by three different names during the production ('71 to '75 I think?) even though it was the same color!

I still have not heard of any explanation for why they did that, but it sure comes back to haunt us here now and then.

Paul

 

[Dogman71]

Hey Paul,
Couldn't find "Medium Blue Metallic" as a paint color in a ruff search yesterday and I have a ways to go before I will be ready for painting my rig but I hope to pin down the correct paint color when I'm ready. The good thing is although the exterior is faded/patina, the interior paint is in good shape to color match. I'm certain I have seen this color on one or two faded Bronco's at the Fabulous Fords Show in Buena Park, hopefully they will be there again this year and I can ask if they could check their vin color code for more info. Just looked at the Master Color Picture thread, that is an amazing thread!
Steve