1974 Bronco Explorer package

Cstrom72 · Oct 5, 2016

Hey guys, its been a while but I'm about to get back into a Bronco! I have had quite a few over the years and have always kept an eye out for another one and I came across an guy who has a 1974 Bronco Explorer for sale. Its a sweet ride being an uncut original paint, 302, PS, automatic trans. One mild dent in the driver side front fender. the rockers are a little rough but the rest is in great shape! I have read quite a bit about the different packages they came in, and was wondering if there is any real "rarity" to the explorer package? He bought it from the original owners in 1995. The paint is faded and looks orange-ish to me but according to what I have read, the explorer package was only offered in blue and copper...

Anyway he claims its the original paint but there are no stripes that the explorer package says it came with either. Were the stripes optional?

5001craig · Oct 5, 2016

Not sure how rare they are but here's my Marti Report for my '74 Explorer. 3,163 built in '74.

buLXPKBcNcpEboF16YuzfKhv2q7KlJpt0P3jU49cmdTprtfIFHTGzAF5fv6EZwxXiaEMRHrZMWBl6UrJMjXDMeyk6SN9KJxQD8zIz4aacKZk7X4HkADjjCuPfAuGcAsUMd5Y-0yrEdg73h4ECQjcpwJbF3TINx67CaTx_vCtYp7q44zTm0k49CXf3dxbKN45Zifecedv2jZHuECpSqKWmZJSNA2q9J5qjFw8TAAVEw227MxLHRlEM0lNGgF3hf-8qTKrsy3BwT-1RhFNVYJp3h1S1f6G11U9WUydpPqtkldoygJ1MsD9QOWysjbIFayYnBE8XLAU5OVbBDZP3n93CBclZU7_3lV-UGv78Z489pPadKAH8A14PmpMrgIkVtqwS5_XetyYf90heNxKbfH8lTfxH36Y6fQs_4r1ea4kmbsSszek4YhGXmzKo8h2wFLQ1LexQrErWLjqtjJns2s-Nz9hRof8ak9ozNGTNPYprhH9nISdKOj2Wkv-F98laP_pVauyB1c691PZ-0mgrPHj7MtCEyosj0GxGOGD5mTF1viO7kmfpDGnVQfLdtY3b-Z6D6k030POu5ngqcdm02QuIKsI79G1ej2ivuTT8FyzxNuRjF7HyA=w755-h976-no

slim811 · Oct 5, 2016

Welcome back.

Cstrom72 said:
Anyway he claims its the original paint but there are no stripes that the explorer package says it came with either. Were the stripes optional?

Obviously Explorers did come in red, I think this was discussed in a recent thread that 74 red ones came without the stripe.

Mac2Night · Oct 5, 2016

Hi Cody, welcome to CB.com!

So from what you describe regarding the color, it sounds like you have a Viking Red '74. I've had (3) Explorer packages (2) '73s (Grabber Blue and Burnt Orange) and a Copper '76. I still have my Burnt Orange '73.

I love the Explorer packages and have compiled some info you might find interesting in your investigation:

1972 Durango Tan with ginger random strip interior(seats) and parchment door panels
* '72 seems to be the only year you could have a Sport Explorer

1973 Burnt Orange or Grabber Blue with blue or orange Random Stripe interior

1974 Brook Blue Metallic/Poly or Viking Red with red or blue Stirling interior
*I have a '74 Explorer with code "S" which is Midnight Blue Poly that must have been special order although I have seen on or two '74s that were also Midnight Blue

1976 Copper or Brook Blue Metallic/Poly with blue or tan interior and a white or tan exterior stripes

BajaFresh75 · Oct 6, 2016

Sport Explorer

Good post Mac!! That first pic is the '72 Sport Explorer. It was a one year only trim package option. Basically the predecessor to the Explorer only. The Sport trim package was offered '67-'77. And like Mac said the Explorer was only available '73-'73 and '76 only.
I just sold a '72 Sport Explorer. Cool truck, cool to me to see how Ford was trying to upgrade the comfort level of the Bronco in the early 70's.

Rustytruck · Oct 6, 2016

my 1974 medium blue metallic explorer did not come with the stripe either. The explorer package isn't as nearly as standard a package as a Sport was.
the parchment seats, the floor mat and some special colors (I.E metallic paint options) deluxe door panels, rim blow horn and the emblem on the dash were about it. My Explorer also had the inside tire carrier.

TTTGOWYO · Oct 7, 2016

Mine is a 72 Explorer Sport. It was Hot Ginger

k13evin · Oct 7, 2016

Got a 76 explorer blue with pinstripes

Cstrom72 · Oct 11, 2016

phred · Oct 12, 2016

My 74 explorer was Viking red, had parchment seats and door panels, body side molding, rubber mat tire carrier and the glove box emblem.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BamaBlue'67 · Oct 12, 2016

Mac2Night said:
Hi Cody, welcome to CB.com!

So from what you describe regarding the color, it sounds like you have a Viking Red '74. I've had (3) Explorer packages (2) '73s (Grabber Blue and Burnt Orange) and a Copper '76. I still have my Burnt Orange '73.

I love the Explorer packages and have compiled some info you might find interesting in your investigation:

1972 Durango Tan with ginger random strip interior(seats) and parchment door panels
* '72 seems to be the only year you could have a Sport Explorer

1973 Burnt Orange or Grabber Blue with blue or orange Random Stripe interior

1974 Brook Blue Metallic/Poly or Viking Red with red or blue Stirling interior
*I have a '74 Explorer with code "S" which is Midnight Blue Poly that must have been special order although I have seen on or two '74s that were also Midnight Blue

1976 Copper or Brook Blue Metallic/Poly with blue or tan interior and a white or tan exterior stripes

I loved that '76 you had a while back. I have my eye on another '76 Exp right now. We'll see if it pans out...

JGbronc · Oct 14, 2016

I'm an Explorer junkie too. I have a '76, me and my Dad are restoring a '73, and he has a '74 also.

Funny that 5001craig's was purchased in Mayfield,Ky. I recently bought a Mustang from the same town.

roostracing · Jul 20, 2018

I just got my marti report...1974 Viking red explorer package too.

So did or did it not have striping?

1 of 1274 in Viking red

1 of 3163 with Explorer package

Question is...how many were viking red with explorer package? Is this a different number?

My bronco isn't red and far from looking the way it should have from the factory but id like to know more about it...very interesting!

hyghlndr · Jul 20, 2018

"My 74 explorer was Viking red, had parchment seats and door panels, body side molding, rubber mat tire carrier and the glove box emblem."

The 1974 red explorer is basically a one year only color. They came with factory plaid style red seats, red tinted rubber mat and red door panels. (parchment is not correct) The 1974 red normally did not have big exterior stripes. While not rare, they are not common. I have owned 4.

For what ever reason, I have seen several that have aged over time to have an orange/red look.

roostracing · Jul 20, 2018

thank you for the feedback!

Sunnyboy · Jul 20, 2018

I bought a brand new 1974 Viking Red Explorer and was equipped exactly as on your Marti report except it had dual tanks and also the Red and Yellow plade seats and red door panels, no white stripes. I still have the original wheel covers after all this years, wish I would have kept the Bronco and not the wheel covers.

BamaBlue'67 · Jul 20, 2018

Here is the Marti Report on my '73

I love the history of them almost as much as the drive.

aaronnandi · Apr 6, 2020

Interesting. I think I need to get a Marti report. I have a 74 that has the Sport emblem on the side plus the red FORD lettering on the grill, AND it has Explorer on the glove box, the wood grain/vinyl door panels and the white tire cover that says Bronco Explorer, and it's Blue metallic with a white pin stripe. I read that this Explorer/Sport option wasn't offered in 74 so maybe I have a frankenstein Bronco. It also has a 351 from a mustang and a half cab from some prior year because they didn't make half cabs in 74. Wonder if someone just stuck a Sport emblem on the side cuz it looked cool. It does look cool though, so I don't care. Time to pony up for a Marti report I think.

1974 Bronco Explorer package

Cstrom72

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5001craig

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slim811

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Mac2Night

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BajaFresh75

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Rustytruck

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TTTGOWYO

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k13evin

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Cstrom72

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phred

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BamaBlue'67

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JGbronc

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roostracing

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hyghlndr

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roostracing

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Sunnyboy

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BamaBlue'67

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aaronnandi

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