Philco - FORD Aeronutronic Bronco Roadster

[Broncoblood]

Has anybody ever physically seen, known about or know of anybody who worked at or seen any pics of a Springtime Yellow 1967 Roadster working as a company lease vehicle at the Philco-Ford Aeronutronic division in Newport Beach, California?
I am trying to find any pics and or any information on this bronco if anybody has seen or heard of it?

ORDER TYPE: COMPANY LEASE PLAN
DSO ITEM #: 6004
DEALER #: 71257J
PHILCO-FORD AERONUTRONIC DIV
FORD RD
NEWPORT BEACH CA 92663

 

[BajaBronco]

Sounds rad!

 

[toddz69]

Let's see pics, Broncoblood!

Todd Z.

 

[Broncoblood]

pics / 1967 Philco FORD U13N Roadster

hey Todd, here you go.
lightly coated in brown & yellow like a mad honeybee chasing a wasp.

she needs some work but bones are solid
doors were added at a later date
floors in good condition
engine bay all in order
just needs some love

I'm looking for any photos and a history lesson if anybody has any info on the Ford Philco campus back in the day?
I have my feelers out, my dad knew some crew that worked there back in the day but have since passed away ; (

any feedback would be appreciated.

- Preserving Fossils : ]

 

[toddz69]

Interesting truck! That rollbar/fender treatment looks familiar - was that a Con-Ferr piece? Love that it's a V8 and a U132.

Todd Z.

 

[chuckyb]

very cool. Looks like its got springtime yellow valve covers. Good luck with chasing down the history.

 

[ared77]

I appreciate you doing the detective work to preserve some cool Ford history!

 

[Rustytruck]

Interesting truck! That rollbar/fender treatment looks familiar - was that a Con-Ferr piece? Love that it's a V8 and a U132.

Todd Z.

Yep looks like a con-ferr roll bar. Ford engineers cant even put the front bumper right side up. the front fender cutouts look like the stuff you got from JC Whitney.

 

[okie4570]

This the u13 that was in Great Bend, KS?

 

[fordfan]

This the u13 that was in Great Bend, KS?

Yes. It was the one that just sold. Congrats Broncoblood!

 

[grant_71]

Wasn't this the one that just sold on ebay that was linked here in the forum a few days ago?

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308642

Edit...I type too slow

 

[okie4570]

So this info was in the truck or how did you discover the Philco connection?

 

[DirtDonk]

Only been to the plant here in Palo Alto back in the day. Even know someone that worked there that bought a '77 Ranger from Ford at the time too. Never thought to look at their DSO or any other info. I'll see if they've gotten a Marti Report for it.

But because it was not a company vehicle per sé, but instead was an employee purchase (that was maybe a lease prior to that?) it would not likely have any bearing on yours that was perhaps used and driven around the company grounds.
Don't think Palo Alto was big enough to need vehicles! Everybody walked.

Then again, a "company lease" could have been for personal use too I would think. Just by an employee of some rank.

Paul

 

[toddz69]

So this info was in the truck or how did you discover the Philco connection?

Looks like the type of info that is probably on a Marti report.

Todd Z.

 

[okie4570]

Looks like the type of info that is probably on a Marti report.

Todd Z.

Yeah didn't know if enough time had passed to get a Marti yet or not.

 

[Broncoblood]

Marti

yes, it is info from the Marti, it arrived yesterday via email.

PHILCO-FORD AERONUTRONIC DIV
FORD RD
NEWPORT BEACH CA

ordered equipped with a cigar lighter, radio, courtesy light, right hand mirror, reflectors,
rear seat etc...seems a little odd for a Roadster unless it was used for some sort of personal interaction?

I appreciate the info DirtDonk

you think that Con-Ferr was installed by them back then for safety maybe?
still looking for more info and would love to dig up some pics of it back in the day.

 

[DirtDonk]

That's very cool. Was not aware that Marti could do a '67. Or at least I'd forgotten. Thought they had info only for the '68 and later vehicles.
Good to know they go that far back.

If it was kept at the facility, you can bet they'd be hauling people around in it. The roll-bar would certainly have been on their minds even back then because of the back seat especially. If not just for protection, but for something to hold on to!

Could have been added much later of course, but I bet that particular bar had not been available after about the mid-'80's even if that late. They dropped a lot of Bronco accessories from their lineup and only had Jeep and Toyota stuff towards the end.
The company itself has been gone now for almost 25 years I think.

I'd be interested to find out just how long it stayed the property of the company.

Paul

 

[okie4570]

yes, it is info from the Marti, it arrived yesterday via email.

PHILCO-FORD AERONUTRONIC DIV
FORD RD
NEWPORT BEACH CA

ordered equipped with a cigar lighter, radio, courtesy light, right hand mirror, reflectors,
rear seat etc...seems a little odd for a Roadster unless it was used for some sort of personal interaction?

I appreciate the info DirtDonk

you think that Con-Ferr was installed by them back then for safety maybe?
still looking for more info and would love to dig up some pics of it back in the day.

That's good stuff thanks for sharing! That's the only "Company Lease" order type I've ever seen, and only the second U132 I've ran across.

 

[Broncoblood]

yea, I was pretty amazed to see that order as well.
let me know if you or anybody runs across any vintage photos somehow, somewhere of this roadster on campus? curious what they used it for and if it had any signage on it?
my plans for it are still blurry, I'm glad I rescued it and I definitely plan to preserve it.
yes Paul, I hope to hear from you soon with those details : )
I guess it resided in Colorado for a little bit and in a collection in Kansas then the estate was sold off, I am trying to get a list of previous owner/owners to track down history.

 

[Broncoblood]

just heard from the seller of the estate and they are getting me in touch with the one of the family members. They did just tell me it was the great grandpas who passed away of the grandsons estate and that he did work at Ford as an engineer, we'll see what surfaces?