Thanks for all the pics! What's the story on Tim's search and rescue rig? I don't think I've heard about that one.....
Todd Z.
Hey Todd, purchased the S&R rig back on 2008 and never had it on the road till this spring. You could say I put her away in the "barn" all this time till I decided this was the year to show her off!! It is my early '67 government issued army bronco that once done with the army, purchased by the sheriff's department in Washington state and duties as a "Search and Rescue" rig. You could tell it was well used at +87k miles. Not crusty except for little seam rot (minimum) on the driver's side floor pan. Some bondo in the rockers (high centered rocks) and a lower front fender corner (bumper tag). Probably filled the dents before her second coat of paint! I had full intentions of taking her back to army green until I realized she is a gem as is!! The emergency lights on the cab work as well as the windshield spot light. Need to locate a siren as the wiring and switch are there. And of course a CB radio along with the matching whips that bolt to the sides of the cab right behind the doors. Otherwise she will stay as is.
I have contacted the sheriffs department and so far, both the sheriff and deputy have responded and are putting me in touch with original team members to dig up memories, history and pictures. Both think they will mostly likely call as they are of the non-computer age, no doubt! I did hear that once the bronco went up for sale, the original S&R members were somewhat teary eyed! I believe the bronco was in military service for a short time and maybe by 1968/69, went to work for the county.
I did reproduce the installed headlight guards. The holes in the grill were there. The rear bumper is military issue, the front probably made by the department. There is evidence of a front mounted electric winch. The factory installed tow hooks directly below the front frame horns are present. Most likely standard option on all government issued rigs back then. The seats have since been recovered from being the original parchment ones. The tailgate is a '66 one. All the dash knobs are '67 with the exception of the fan control - a '66 knob. I have seen this a few times over the years on other '67s. A lot of times, the choke knob was the '66 style, the rest '67. Weird!
tim