I can’t recall the last time I saw a Bronco wearing Light Jade Poly paint, but there’s a good reason for that: this is a former U.S. Forest Service vehicle, delivered new to the agency with a novel combination of options. The Bronco today retains its original paint and remnants of a headlight flasher, siren and CB antenna mount from its days as a government-owned vehicle. The 351 V8 runs well and the truck retains its stock equipment, consisting of a C6 automatic transmission, factory 3.50 gear ratio and limited slip rear end. Find it here on eBay with bids to over $10K and the reserve unmet.
The body looks super sound, with no obvious signs of rot. This is because the Bronco has lived in Northern California and Nevada all its life, which is pretty much the ultimate combination for living a rust-free existence. The seller notes the wheel wells, cab mounts, floors and all other common Ford truck rust spots are in impeccable condition, and that the underside follows a similar pattern. The hardtop was professional reconditioned by a shop specializing fiberglass restorations.
The interior is a distinct departure from the black or red-carpeted Broncos we’re accustomed to seeing, and I have to wonder if the Forest Service specifically requested this shade for – ah, personal reasons. You know, greenery, plant life, conifers, and all that. Between the green upholstery and fake wood trim, this interior is like a rural log cabin on wheels. I can’t tell what’s going on with the steering wheel, but it looks like a tan vinyl wrap of some kind. Though the Bronco’s back seat was deleted when ordered, a later owner sourced an OEM replacement. The A/C remains hooked up, but needs a belt and a re-charge.
Mileage is listed as being a tick over 67,000. The seller notes several big-ticket recent maintenance items were addressed by the previous owner, including a new radiator, water pump, distributor, carb, ignition module, and general tune-up. It’s said to run well at the moment, with no major issues disclosed. Given how many government or locally-owned municipal vehicles see limited use, I’m sure the mileage indicated here is genuine. My first order of business? Re-install all the period communications equipment, from the sirens to the flashers to the CB radio, with a huge whip antenna on the rear bumper.
I suppose if you don’t live anywhere near a National Forest, you probably won’t see many green vehicles like this. I’ve been around forests a lot, and many of these green vehicles get sold to the public, nothing special. I can say, for the most part, these live a rough life. It may show 67K, but could easily be several hundred thousand, especially in a western setting. If this is the cleanest Bronco this person has seen, they haven’t been around much, but it is a good find. Again, have that Autoplace rewards card ready,,,
Bottom of drivers door and in front of the rear wheel well looks like bondo city. So I would second guess that no rust claim. Frame might be in worse shape than a year old Toyota undercarriage. I’d check it out thoroughly.
Thank goodness for crate powertrains these days, you could pop a new engine and transmission in this and have a lot of fun for a long long time to come
eBay is a minefield for buyers. Mileage is suspect. Seats have been recovered and the lower body is wavy. Marti report doesn’t reflect a US Government fleet order, more likely a local VFD had the rig after private ownership. Better rigs out there if you look.
I agree with @petemcgee – this was a stock vehicle on the dealership lot in Fallon, NV. If it was a government rig, it would have different info on the Marti. I recall only the 5th generation Broncos being used by the USFS here in AZ.
After looking at the Marti report (nice to see it), a few questions for you Bronco gurus:
— Wasn’t the base trim level called Custom? So what is “Custom Package?” Is that why I see the fake wood trim inside, I would have expected it on only the upper trim levels?
— I think I see cruise control, but don’t see it on the Marti report.
— Order type is Stock. I agree, bought from dealer inventory.
— Only 916 1978 Broncos in this color.
For me, little things matter…. I think I would have sprung five bucks for a new brake pedal cover. But I suppose if I did that, then everyone would just say “wonder what he is hiding with that new brake pedal cover.”
Overall not a bad Bronco, I’ve seen much worse.
All government buys I have ever seen have base engines. Unless this was special ordered for some management big shot, I think we have a lie here on the sellers part.
Yes, the base level was Custom. I think it’s safe to infer the ‘Custom Package’ is the same thing. It is interesting to see the fake wood trim and cruise control on a Custom. Looks like maybe a few things were added/customized over the years.
Pretty nice trim for a Custom trim level. Higher trim levels came with square headlights. Even so, it doesn’t look to be a rotbox that’s going to have a raft of issues that need fixing. A good deal if bought for less than 15k, imho.
Actually, for 1978, any trim level other than Custom came with rectangular headlights.
Interesting how the government manages to pick the worst colors for its vehicles. Years ago the Border Patrol vehicles were a similar shade of Seasick Green. Of course, you can always change it. This vehicle looks pretty good. I’ll have to say that the body, for the most part, looks better than a lot of this style but I can’t claim that someone’s used Bondo or it’s just had a lot of rough treatment in the past. The belt is off the A-C compressor so there’s no telling what kind of condition the system is in. A person might be looking at a major overhaul there. Overall, I like the truck. If I needed something like this I might be tempted to take it home…
Of course they pick the worst colors! Its done so that everone will know who’s coming your way from a distance, plus to make sure it’s a color that’s very unlikely any civilians will choose!
Well, if life has taught me anything, certain authorities stick with certain colors. Pale green would match a forest setting, black and white cop cars, Ohio PUCO brown, blue for Navy and so on. I don’t think they give a thought to resale, just all uniform in color. I’ve actually begun to see some color come back in cars, and plain colors like this are being seen again. Beats silver, black and white.
Idk but 10k is the new 3500
Howard A I’m with you !
If this is the cleanest Bronco they have ever seen they have never left their basement. I live IN the National Forest, our property is bordered by it on 3 sides. If this Bronco’s life is anything like the FS vehicles here this would be among the very last vehicles I would look to own. Forest Service vehicles are a dime a dozen here in Washington State. In our little town of 900 there are 3. Yes the normal maintenance is performed and as things break they are repaired but life Off Road takes a serious toll. Around here everyone knows that and they prefer to purchase the 2 Wheel drive vehicles used for light duty maintenance rather than front line patrol vehicles that are out in the Forest on some of the worst goat trails imaginable, bending and cranking 8 hours a day for its entire life. I cannot conceive of the price being so high for the truck either. I guess some people really have a thing for green !!! I do wish the new owner the very best, I will make them a good rig.
buy low sell hi, able to do so cuz’a da net (hi visibility).
One step beyond a flipper so OK w/me but 10K?
That’s a 3 out of 4 and I’m not sure this 1 is there…
(my fav gen too, p/u or bronk)
As has been mentioned, this is a dealer stock vehicle, not Government ordered. Was built without cruise control, and still doesn’t have it. Steering wheel pad is from a 1980s high trim level truck or van. Door panels are Ranger XLT trim, not Custom. Outside tire carrier was of course added later, and is not even a factory Ford setup but aftermarket. Dept. of Forestry is all a made up selling ploy. Wheels are even the 1980s style Ford wagon wheels. The correct wheels from the late ’70s look different than these.
In places like the southern mountains, you DO NOT want to drive a truck of this color! They tend to attract bullet holes. Folks doing some “local distilling” don’t much care for the folks driving them federal vehicles in this here forest..
Just sayin…
Great truck! For those who looking for 1978 bronco shop manual https://fordmanualblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/1978-ford-truck-shop-manual-pdf-download/
2 years past, and the link I changed. Here is a new one https://www.fordshopmanual.com/ford-truck-shop-manuals/1978-ford-truck-shop-manual-pdf-download/