Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

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Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
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Truck was on Facebook marketplace and sold for 800 bucks. It’s rough, but so rare I thought I would share the pics here for others to muse at. It is a ~white freewheel-package / chromatic-stripe 1981 Bronco with 351M and a C6.



SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Gary Lewis
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That's cool!  And my favorite year.  For just $800?  Wow.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
Administrator
It is very rusty... Christopher Lott would have bought it since it is such a “white rhino” but said it was just a bit too far gone.



SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Rembrant
That thing looks like it's well used up, but for $800 bucks there'd be a lot of good stuff there in drivetrain parts (if you needed them). It's even rarer in the fact that it's still got stock suspension and tire/wheel sizes. Most of the Bullnose Broncos I come across are lifted.

I'm not aware of all the paint and stripe packages, so I barely would have given the thing a second glance without you pointing it out.

I stopped to look at an '87 Bricknose Bronco for sale last week, but it was far too rusty for me.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
In reply to this post by Ford F834
Ok, forget what I said.  No way, Jose!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
Administrator
In reply to this post by Rembrant
If you look in the 80/81 brochures, you will see the Freewheeling package A and Freewheeling package B sport packages. Of these, only a tiny percent of the Broncos came with the chromatic, reflective vinyl graphics. Almost all of them were black. The vinyl on this white one is faded almost beyond recognition, but if you know what you are looking at you know it is one of only a handful ever made...

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Here's the same page a bit easier to read from Literature/1981 Bronco Brochure.

Anyway, yes it was one of only a handful made.  But since you are going to have to completely redo it anyway, why not start with a better one?  I know it wouldn't be "original", but will an original completely redone be better or worth more than a better one made into a Freewheeling/Chromatic?

If we were talking about a Mopar or a GM with numbers that match, it would be one thing.  But I don't think you can even prove from a build sheet that it was a Freewheeling package on a Ford, although maybe you can from a Marti report.

I'm not talking about deception.  I'm just wondering what the difference in value would be as there will be a huge difference in cost creating or re-creating it.


Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
Administrator
Gary, the Freewheeling packages were definitely recorded on the build sheets, and detailed in the Marti reports. So yes, one can tell the difference between an original and a clone. However, even Christopher Lott’s beautifully restored trucks do not fetch prices that reflect the rarity. So unless it means a lot to you as an owner to have an “original” one, you are absolutely correct about cloning one that is better to start with.




SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, the Marti report does show it.  And I'm sure that if you know what to look for you can tell from the build sheet - assuming you have it.  But in my work on the build sheet (Specifications/Build Sheet Interpretation) I can't tell.  Perhaps there's a code in Body, or Accent, or TuTone, or Scheme that tells.  But since I've never seen a build sheet for a Freewheeling package I don't know what that would be.

So, if you know of people with build sheets then I'd be happy to try to decode them and see if I can figure out what it is telling us.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Rembrant
Since you guys were discussing the Freewheeling Bronco's here I thought I'd post this one up...

Now, it is not a Bullnose, I know...but this is the 3rd or more 78-79 Bronco I've come across with this paint scheme in Canada, and every time, they're rusted into oblivion. This one just posted yesterday. What a sin that it died a harsh death as a plow truck...lol.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/ottawa/1979-ford-bronco/1391355857?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
Administrator
It’s odd how many of the chromatic stripe Fords show up in Canada and the north east rust belt of the US. In contrast I have not seen a single one out here in the west. Regional buyer taste? Different promotion/distribution to dealerships? Something else???
SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Rembrant
Ford F834 wrote
Regional buyer taste? Different promotion/distribution to dealerships? Something else???
Could it just be coincidental with what I'm assuming were higher sales of 4x4 vehicles in the regions that get winter?

I've come across at least 3 of these dentside Bronco's (with this same color scheme) in the past 6-12 months. Every time, they're for parts...and barely even good for that.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
Administrator
Rembrant wrote
Ford F834 wrote
Regional buyer taste? Different promotion/distribution to dealerships? Something else???
Could it just be coincidental with what I'm assuming were higher sales of 4x4 vehicles in the regions that get winter?

I've come across at least 3 of these dentside Bronco's (with this same color scheme) in the past 6-12 months. Every time, they're for parts...and barely even good for that.
True, but all Bronco are 4x4 and there are a good number of them around. Pickup 4x4 are common enough... you would think I would run into them at least once in a while...

Conversely I see a lot of tan/brown color scheme trucks and I’ve heard easterners say they almost never see them in their area. I really think there is market/sales data to this.
SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Rembrant
Ford F834 wrote
Conversely I see a lot of tan/brown color scheme trucks and I’ve heard easterners say they almost never see them in their area. I really think there is market/sales data to this.
I think there is a lot of regional market/sales direction behind vehicle distribution. Whatever it is, it is not even across the board for all regions, that's for sure.
On the colors. Although not as common these days, I remember being surprised when I first started traveling down south (or to the southwest) and seeing all of these white vehicles everywhere. I know for many years, seeing a white vehicle where I live would be a rare sight. (They're fairly common now however). Years ago, most people here wouldn't even buy a white vehicle....they'd show rust too quickly...lol. I think with the advancements in factory paint/body, it's probably not as big an issue as it once was.

My first trip to Florida, I was like huh? Why is everybody driving white cars with black windows?...lol.

Was discussing it with a Canadian guy on FTE a while back. Out west in Alberta the trucks were far more common to be Lariats and XLT's, while out here on the poverty stricken east coast, everything was bare bones single color with no options...lol.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Ford F834
Administrator
Ha ha, yeah... my Jetta TDI is all black, and in the Arizona summer it about cooks your flesh off your bones when you first get in. It really does make a huge difference to have a white or light colored car.

And speaking of marketing Freewheel Fords... here is a vintage Canadian Freewheel commercial. Not Bullnose era, unfortunately, but we’re a tolerant bunch 😉

https://www.facebook.com/groups/443736922474997/permalink/1042711455910871/
SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
That footage takes me way back.  Cool!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

1986F150Six
Administrator
Gary Lewis wrote
That footage takes me way back.  Cool!
 Just don't stay too long!
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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Rembrant
In reply to this post by Ford F834
Ford F834 wrote
It’s odd how many of the chromatic stripe Fords show up in Canada and the north east rust belt of the US.
Hey Jon,

I came across this '81 Bronco for sale in western Canada while surfing the net for other junk. It's a rust bucket, but the stripe package caught my eye as a Freewheelin' style package. I looked at the '81 Bronco brochure, and it said the Freewheelin stripe package was available in Tri-Color or Chromatic? Would this be the Chromatic version? You can tell I know nothing about these things...lol. Too bad the thing is in such poor condition.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1459043826&siteLocale=en_CA&requestSource=b



I see it had some kind of a padded steering wheel at some point and time...


1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

LARIAT 85
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
Why is 1981 your favorite year, Gary?
Lucille:  1985 Ford F150 XLT Lariat

*Colors:  Dark Canyon Red exterior, Canyon Red interior
*Engine: 5.0, CompCams 31-230-3, "Thumper" E7 heads, Edelbrock Performer intake, Autolite 4100 carburetor, DuraSpark II ignition, Thorley Tri-Y headers, Flowmaster dual exhaust, H-pipe.
*Drivetrain:  AOD transmission, 3.55 gears, 2wd.



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Re: Extremely rare white chromatic stripe ‘81 Bronco

Rembrant
LARIAT 85 wrote
Why is 1981 your favorite year, Gary?
Something to do with it being the last year old the 351M / 400 and the old style grill perhaps? Specific one-year only color options?
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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