Explain the color of my 1969 Bronco

[thegreatjustino]

This is the first EB I ever owned. Purchased in the Fall of 1999. Despite never seeing another Bronco this color, I've always believed it was the factory color.

Today I finally did some research and am now even more confused.

Color P on the data tag which correlates to Medium Ivy Green Metallic - which is a perfect description of the color.

However, on the paint samples below, P is more generally referred to Boxwood Green. I would never in a million years call this light green metallic color Boxwood Green. Why would Medium Ivy Green Metallic also be referred to as Boxwood Green when they look nothing alike?

 

[Soylent]

Doesn’t it depend on the year? My 1969 has code P and it is boxwood. What year is yours?

 

[stout22]

That's definitely not boxwood green. You might want to check the previous and the following year paint codes. The color could be a result of how early or late yours was built in the year. That's totally a guess.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Doesn’t it depend on the year? My 1969 has code P and it is boxwood. What year is yours?

Literally a key part of the title of the thread...

 

[thegreatjustino]

That's definitely not boxwood green. You might want to check the previous and the following year paint codes. The color could be a result of how early or late yours was built in the year. That's totally a guess.

Again, look at the paint photos I posted. Color P in 1969 & 1970 + K in 1971 is referred to as both Boxwood Green and Medium Ivy Green

 

[thegreatjustino]

Drew's comprehensive list here calls out both colors as well.

Revised Paint Code resource List

I have created this new thread since one of the other paint color related threads seems to be just replies with people just telling what color their Bronco is (factory color or otherwise) and another has photos of Bronco of various colors, but I know at least a couple of those are not correct...

classicbroncos.com

 

[Ether]

Clearly a painted top and fiberglass front grill or front clip...it looks to have been painted.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Clearly a painted top and fiberglass front grill or front clip...it looks to have been painted.

The interior is all the same color. As is the cowl, core support, kick panels, and fender aprons. While it's possible that someone stripped the whole thing down and painted the complete tub inside and out sometime in the 30 years before I bought it, I'm going to say that's pretty doubtful. The color it was painted matches the "Medium Ivy Green Metallic" description perfectly.

 

[1969]

Did your bronco get a tub swap at some time? My frame is a ‘69 and the color is listed as candy apple red, but the tub is I think a ‘72 hot ginger color.

 

[Soylent]

Literally a key part of the title of the thread...

Missed that. Something is wrong as P is boxwood for 69. I’m sure you checked, does glovebox vin match frame?

 

[jamesroney]

For my June built 1969, Color P is Ford #3150, or PPG 43716

I also had the same concern when I bought my 69 Bronco. I had limited cell signal, and the roll cage blocked the glovebox door. My first hit on the internet for paint code "P" came back as "medium Ivy metallic." Previous owner thought it was a 1970, but no body side marker lights. The reflector screw holes were filled, and it was blue over yellow over green, and the doors, tailgate, hood and fenders were multi colored. But when took it apart, under the cowl was Boxwood.

And the Marti report came back as Boxwood. Posted here.

So now I question why the internet thinks 1969 "P" is medium Ivy?

 

[LHardin]

If it's the color you actually want, take to an auto paint supply (like PPG, KMG, House of Color, ETC.) and they can match it.

 

[thegreatjustino]

If it's the color you actually want, take to an auto paint supply (like PPG, KMG, House of Color, ETC.) and they can match it.

That has nothing to do with it. Half of the body panels have been replaced over the years so it's no longer all the same color. The green metallic that it's painted is ugly as sin.

 

[toddz69]

One is the "Bronco Promotional Name" per Drew's chart and one is the "Standard Color Name". I'm not sure where Drew got the Standard Color name but I'll ask him - knowing him it's something he researched pretty thoroughly. Sometimes the Bronco Promotional Names changed from year to year with the color never changing. @Broncitis.

Todd Z.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Here are the wheel tubs and fender aprons that have been removed and sitting in my backyard for the past 15 years. With the engine sticker still on the one, I'm going to say these have never been repainted since they left the factory.

Would you guys call this Boxwood Green?

 

[toddz69]

Here are the wheel tubs and fender aprons that have been removed and sitting in my backyard for the past 15 years. With the engine sticker still on the one, I'm going to say these have never been repainted since they left the factory.

Would you guys call this Boxwood Green?

That looks too light for Boxwood to me.

Todd Z.

 

[toddz69]

Drew is traveling to Super Cel right now but I got this note back from him after he read the thread.

"Standard color names come off Ford Dealership/paint shop books that I have. Promotional names sometimes changed year to year and from one model for car and truck line to another. We'll have to look at the dealership binder with all the paint codes and samples when I get back to see if I mixed one of them up or not".

Todd Z.

 

[thegreatjustino]

That looks too light for Boxwood to me.

Todd Z.

These match the overall color of the Bronco. As I've said, the name "Medium Ivy Green Metallic" describes this paint perfectly. The only other Bronco I've ever seen that might have possibly been this color was at one of the WH shows, a Bronco that had had a color change had the doors off and the area under the hinges was this color. I didn't ask the owner about it, but that's the only time I've seen this color on another Bronco.

 

[okie4570]

Drew is traveling to Super Cel right now but I got this note back from him after he read the thread.

"Standard color names come off Ford Dealership/paint shop books that I have. Promotional names sometimes changed year to year and from one model for car and truck line to another. We'll have to look at the dealership binder with all the paint codes and samples when I get back to see if I mixed one of them up or not".

Todd Z.

@thegreatjustino was it very late 69' vin or other? All the other greens that look similar to your pics came a couple model years later from what I can see on the color charts. Only other thing I can guess would be a repaint, which you've ruled out, or some body, frame, warranty plate shenanigans at some point. But, P was only used for Boxwood in 69' and 70' then went to K.
It looks like Scandia Green Poly or Diamond Green from 73', but the codes and vin don't match that. Interesting puzzle for sure.

There were no greens even similar to those pics for 68'.

 

[thegreatjustino]

was it very late 69' vin or other?

I'd need to look at the BroncOhio VIN chart to see what month it was built, but it is a later in the year '69 with electric wipers. Also, there had to have been some paint work done at some point - the top for one and the fiberglass front clip. Both of those were painted the same color as the body at some point before I bought it. Considering the half ass work done all over the Bronco when I bought it, no previous owner put anything expensive into this, so a full repaint inside and out is highly unlikely. But that's pure speculation on my part based on all the cheap fixes I had to repair once I bought it.