You are looking at an ultra-rare, unrestored “BUDD” Bronco U13 Roadster. It can be found here on eBay with an asking price of $58,000 and according to the seller, it is something really special. The body was supposedly built by BUDD, who manufactured parts for Ford to assemble before Ford was actually up and running with their own tooling. The ad states that BUDD built the original Bronco prototype and these roadsters were only assembled in August, September, and October of 1965. The seller says the BUDD body makes it one of the first 200 Broncos off the assembly line and “highly collectible.” Check out more of this unique Bronco below and thanks to Ikey H. for the tip on this rare, retro, roadster!
The engine is a 170 cubic inch straight six with a 3-on-the-tree transmission. It was rebuilt about twenty years ago and only has 1,000 miles on it since then. The braking system was rebuilt about ten years ago. You can see the windshield wiper bag in the upper right corner of the photo. I always found wiper bags as an interesting design…Plastic containers would follow just a couple of years after this Bronco was made.
The interior looks decent. The seller says everything works except for the fuel gauge. The upholstery looks decent and the roadster also features a small rear bench seat. The door inserts, windshield frame and hood “have all had paint work” but the other panels “appear original.” I’m not sure exactly what that means, but if you are planning on dropping mid-five figures on a classic vehicle, a thorough inspection is advised.
You can get aftermarket door inserts similar to this fairly easily. Most “roadster” Broncos you see have been converted from standard Broncos using these inserts. It’s really neat to see factory ones that carry exact matching paint and patina as the other body panels. The seller says there are blemishes in the paint and a few minor paint issues. There are also a few rust issues, mainly in the rocker panels. Hopefully, the rot isn’t too bad and the original paint and sheet metal can be saved. What do you think?
A neat truck! Unfortunately we don’t know when the Budd bodies ended – October is a possibility but they might have gone longer. I think the claim that this was one of the first 200 trucks off the line for ‘66 is probably a stretch.
We just bought a 66 U13 September 65 build. Quite a bit lower vin 75959 and was 8129 units before this 66. Interested in learning more about BUDD builds and wonder if the one we have is a BUDD build?
I have been a big fan and loved the early Scout copy Broncos. This looks and sounds Primo, special rare exotic, $50k+? Hell yes! Going VW window bus!$100k+ in 5 years. 1st, I need more garage before another toy. Bet it sells
This would be an interesting truck to have although I’d want one that was more weathertight. I can appreciate the Original claim but with rust to fix and a whole lot of tiny details to look after, if this is worth the asking price then it’s way out of my budget. I’ve kind of liked these things but not what it would take to get this one on the road.
There was a rancher not too far from us who had a (’67) pickup version of this. He drove the wheels off it. The guy has long since passed on but I think the boy still has it…
If that had a 289 and no rot, then 58k? Hell yeah!
For all you youngsters out there, That is an OIL BATH air cleaner, which had to be washed out with solvent every now & then. Much better than the paper throw away element. I know that Ford offered them as an option until at least 1975, because I ordered one on my F-250 that year. It was an $8.00 option! I freaked the instant oil change place out when I asked them to check the oil in my air cleaner! They had never seen one.
I love these and have two myself so I’m always interested when one comes up for sale!! I hate the door inserts!! I’d rather have actual doors that open and close!! In my opinion $58,000 is a stretch!! Especially with no doors or top!! The six cylinder is bulletproof and will run for years with proper maintenance!!! Really hard to verify the “BUDD” claim too!!!
Three on the Tree? Um, No,… kids now a days are clueless.
There is a beautiful survivor U13 in my small western town that I see from time to time – a real museum piece. Spoke to the owner at the ice cream shop last summer – his wife’s Dad bought it new. Yes, the guy knows what he has!
The guy may know what he has , budd the rest of us do not.
Would a museum pay this much or would more verification be required.
I know these are practically cult vehicles but even so I doubt he will get that price
Nice, but a little pricy. Unless it is going into a museum.
don’t bet on it Del.
The bronk peeked this summer or fall on $ but wuz top $ getter for close to 6 mo. Now dwn to 27th or sompin…
Lotta mitigating factors on final price, kinda esoteric art to peg it (not of my interest). I’d rather drive/restore/learn history/mod’n maintain…
Right now tryin ta get the PTO to run an auger (200 blue berry plants to get inda ground)…
You don’t need doors because the transmission guarantees you cannot be carjacked.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223850556610
Now listed @ $45k including enclosed shipping
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