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A Study of Original Grille Colors with a concentration on '76 -'77.

fordfan

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With the '66 Bronco, Ford painted all the grilles Wimbleton White and body color with the "FORD" letters painted black. With the introduction of the 'Sport' in '67, Ford painted the grille "Argent" (a silver color) and applied chrome letters "FORD" on the grille with a bright accent moulding between the "Argent" and the body color and chrome headlight rings.

With the introduction of the "Ranger" in 73, the grilles were a direct carry-over from the "Sport" package with the Argent and chrome accents. Also introduced in '73 was the "Explorer" package. The "Explorers" had a basic Wimbleton White grille and headlight doors and painted letters.

Advance to '76 and things get a little confusing. Of course, basic Broncos had a white grille, a "Sport" had a silver grille.....but what if it was painted color code V which is Medium Silver Poly? The "Argent" is a little different from the silver body color. Ford added at least one, possibly two colors in the last years of production. For a fact, Ford added black grilles to the line-up, and possibly even a dark charcoal metallic grey. It seems like most of the "Special Decor" package Bronco got black grilles; even if they were a "Sport". (With the chrome letters, headlight rings, and some with trim and some without the accent molding.)

So, in the light of this study, post your knowledge and pictures of 'Original' Grilles, better yet, 'Original Paint' Grilles!;D;D;D
 

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fordfan

fordfan

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A few pics to get started....
 

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BDAZSVT

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i wish mine was original paint when I got it. Mine is a 76 silver sport but I have no way of knowing ...
 
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fordfan

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A few more:
 

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ford man

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Hey where did that 1st pic come from? My 77 special decor with black grill ford letters no outline chrome.It is original paint whats left any way.I think I have seen a brocure of a 72 with top and grill painted body color.I bet back then you could special order what ever.
 

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fordfan

fordfan

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i wish mine was original paint when I got it. Mine is a 76 silver sport but I have no way of knowing ...

Yes, yours is one that I would like to see it as it was in '76. It possibly had a black or dark metallic grey grill......
 

gnsteam

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My 76 Special Decor was black and without the the chrome trim. At some point a P. O. painted over the black with the body color%). I can see the black thru chips in the paint. Pic's in my garage.
 

CLK Foxhall

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Good info - I like these types of threads!

'73 Explorer; Original grille. As noted by fordfan - Wimbleton White grille & headlight doors,... painted letters.

20121171644270-1.jpg



Cheers!
~CLK
 

stout22

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76 Bronco

Here's my "plain jane" original paint 76.
 

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fordfan

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Fordfan... You need to sell me that old blue 66 halfcab!!! Love it

BigPit... If I sold you "Skeeter", I couldn't maintain my fence. Skeeter has a little rust, but it's all '66....just like it came new, just with 46 years of PATINA!!;);)
 
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fordfan

fordfan

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Good info - I like these types of threads!

'73 Explorer; Original grille. As noted by fordfan - Wimbleton White grille & headlight doors,... painted letters.

20121171644270-1.jpg



Cheers!
~CLK

Hey CLK, that is one beautiful Bronco! It is a benchmark for doing 'correct' restorations! Thanks for the grille picture. You don't by chance have a silver '76 or '77 in the same condition....Do you? HAHA...:D:D
 

CLK Foxhall

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You don't by chance have a silver '76 or '77 in the same condition....Do you? HAHA...:D:D

Thanks fordfan!

Unfortunately,... I don't - Wish I had both, though.

Wasn't until after I posted my grille,.... That I noticed the, "concentration on '76-'77" models.


Cheers!
~CLK
Ps - Love all your Broncos,... Punkin' is one of my favorites
 
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fordfan

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We want to see all years......not just '76-'77....If you know of some original grills... post them. Thanks
 

Crush

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I have a 76 and a 77. Both special Decore group. Both have black grills with chrome headlight rings. No grill surround trim though. Neither are sports. The 77 has a body color top and the 76 is white. 76 has black stripe. 77 has a white stripe. Both have full widow chrome. Both have chrome grille letters
 
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fordfan

fordfan

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I have a 76 and a 77. Both special Decore group. Both have black grills with chrome headlight rings. No grill surround trim though. Neither are sports. The 77 has a body color top and the 76 is white. 76 has black stripe. 77 has a white stripe. Both have full widow chrome. Both have chrome grille letters

We would love to see pictures of the grilles!
 

BorderBronco

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Definitely not original but I thought I would throw this out to add some "color" to the offerings.. ;)

1974. This is how it came to us when we bought it. Light brown grill and dark brown body.

I will try to find pics of the grilles of the 1970 and the 73 Ranger to post up.
 

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