Question for the Ranger experts

[thegreatjustino]

I've got a '73 Ranger that I bought from the second owner who had owned it since 1975.

The seats, dash pad, door panels, and interior quarter panel covers are all tan or spice I think it might be called.

The Bronco is red and the carpeting is red to match the exterior paint instead of tan/spice to match the seats and other pieces.

A couple of people who have seen this Bronco have commented that the carpet should be the same color as the rest of the Ranger interior.

I can tell that the carpeting is incredibly old, and I know the second owner didn't make any changes to the Bronco. So, the only explanation would be that it was special ordered with the red carpeting or the original owner changed it in the short two year span that he owned it.

Any of the Ranger experts on here know if you could customize the carpeting on a Ranger to match the body instead of the seats when custom ordering a Bronco? I wonder if a Marti report would go into that much detail.

Couple of photos:

 

[broncnaz]

To my knowledge red interior wasnt offered as a option in 73. Ginger, blue and avacado were supposed to be all that was offered at the time. Of course that means little as things could be ordered. But Id say someone has changed things in that bronco. The rear seat is complete vinyl which is not how Ranger seats came.(maybe a explorer seat) it would be like the fronts.
I kinda doubt the marti report will show much about the interior but I do notice the lack of belt line trim and no Ranger stripes That would should be shown as deleted on a marti report. Armrests have been changed as well. Id try a marti report it may provide a little info. Of course who knows I have a feeling something has been swapped around at some point on it.

 

[DirtDonk]

Not sure about in '73 'az, but both of my buddies' '72 Explorers had rear seats made of the same cloth material as the fronts too.

And I would have said that the Red was an available carpet color at some point, because I've seen several. But whether they were '73's or not I never checked. Nor could I guarantee them to be original carpets since they weren't mine. But I've seen quite a few old red carpets.

However, I trust broncnaz's Ranger expertise way above mine Justin. I'm just throwing a couple of thoughts out there for consideration.

Paul

 

[thesnake]

Justin, I had a red 73 sport that had the same carpet in it. I don't think it was factory because it was over the parchment floor mat. Could have been a dealer thing, but who knows? At least it's not the green grass kinda shag carpet. I have a 73 ranger and I think the green grass carpet was the only thing holding the body and interior together lol Nice Ranger you've got there anyhow!!!


John

 

[Ohio Bronco 21]

Nice truck anyhow. Are you planning anything on it? Any changes, or keep it stock.

 

[broncnaz]

Not sure about in '73 'az, but both of my buddies' '72 Explorers had rear seats made of the same cloth material as the fronts too.
Paul

Yeah But I f I remember the explorers tended to have totally vinyl seats like his rear seat. Rangers should have always had cloth inserts.

Heck Im no expert just a few things I look for but it doesnt mean it wasnt ordered like that or came like that we all know ford had some oddball things. A marti report may shed some light on it tho. Over the course of time a PO may have forgotten what he changed out on a vehicle. So Its not always a given that nothing was changed as they may have just forgotten over the last 30 years.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Nice truck anyhow. Are you planning anything on it? Any changes, or keep it stock.

I'm still struggling with that decision. When I originally bought it, it was my intention to turn it into a LUBR with a NV3550 conversion (and a few other upgrades). However, it's so incredibly stock, I'm having difficulty doing much of anything to it.

I posted a thread on this dilemma a while back and got a few interesting opinions (picture links no longer work):

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163648

 

[CopperRanger]

Check out BlueBastard's gallery, I think his original has the same interior.

 

[Ohio Bronco 21]

Since you have a modified one and a stock one, I say go with stock spring lift with the WH 1 inch body lift, 30 inch BFG Tires on period mags (ansen etc). With the Nv3550 Trans. I bet you wind up driving it the most, Oh and good brakes and pwr steering. Other than that leave it mostly alone IMO.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Since you have a modified one and a stock one,

LOL, currently have three stockers and two modified.

 

[broncnaz]

Check out BlueBastard's gallery, I think his original has the same interior.

Bluebastards is what would be expected carpet is color keyed to the seats. Justinos is not.
But it does show that some red broncos got the ginger interior. I know later on red was availible.

 

[Blue Bastard]

My guess is the red is not original....but who knows. Im suprised we dont have a salesman or dealer from back in the day that cant shed some light on this stuff. He/She would be in there 70's though...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/coconv/12126946635/

 

[DirtDonk]

I've been hoping for first-hand accounts for years. Dealers, factory assembly, or even an independent supplier would be cool.
I think we have one or two members that did have something to do with Ford, but not sure they were on the Bronco line or not.

Hope someone chimes in.

Paul

 

[half cab]

Could be like the dealers did cars in the '70's where they sent them out to get them gosh awful half vinyl tops put on.

 

[half cab]

My guess is the red is not original....but who knows. Im suprised we dont have a salesman or dealer from back in the day that cant shed some light on this stuff. He/She would be in there 70's though...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/coconv/12126946635/

N747JB Has a dealership that been in the family for a long time maybe he can chime in.