Bronco body styles
Ford Bronco Roadster (U13), 1966–1968
The Ford Bronco roadster was the doorless, topless early Bronco, sold only from 1966 to 1968. Ford coded it U13. Here's how many were built, how to identify a real U13 Bronco roadster, what drives value, and how to spot a converted wagon or half-cab.
Bronco roadster production, 1966–68
| Model year | Roadsters built | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 4,090 | RP |
| 1967 | 698 | RP |
| 1968 | 212 | RP |
| Total | 5,000 (sum of the three years) | P |
- The Roadster Registry gives the 1966 figure as 4,090, citing the Ford Industrial Archives. R
- 1968 was the last year for the roadster. ER The 1969 lineup had no roadster body. H
- Total early Bronco production figures differ between sources, so check the year pages before quoting a share. HEP
- One ClassicBroncos forum member who tracks 1966 roadsters said in December 2020 that he had documented 429 surviving '66 U13s. That's one enthusiast's count, not an official survival figure. CBU13
How to identify a U13 Bronco roadster
- The VIN starts with the series code: U13 roadster, U14 pickup (half-cab), U15 wagon. The engine letter, plant letter and serial number follow. L
- On a 1966–77 Bronco, the serial is stamped on the frame rail. A warranty plate on the glove-box door carries the build codes. OL
- Standard roadsters had no top or doors. Fiberglass door inserts filled the openings, and dealer vinyl doors and a top were sold separately. R
- Original roadsters should have a louvered dash speaker cover plate. The original insert backing plates are stamped steel and not completely flat, unlike today's aftermarket plates. WHU13
- Doors don't rule a roadster out. Doors were an optional extra, and owners on the forum report roadsters that came with steel doors. CBHCCBU13
- Roadsters were available with a bench seat. A forum member says the warranty-plate trim code should be 196 for a bench-seat U13. CBU13
Bronco roadster values
- U13 roadsters are Hagerty's market analyst's top pick, and roadster values doubled from 2016 to 2019. KH
- Originality, documentation and a matching frame VIN matter more than looks. See the buyer's guide and early Broncos for sale for current asking prices by year.
Fakes and conversions: roadster or rebodied wagon?
- Owners point out that it's easy to turn a U13, U14 or U15 into either of the others, and that the VIN is the only sure test. CBHC
- A forum regular's advice: look for U13 in the VIN and, possibly, original inserts and backing plates. Everything else could have been added or removed at any time since the truck was built. CBU13
- Check the door posts. On a converted roadster, rivets can sit where the insert screw holes used to be. CBU13
- Door tags can be faked, and reproduction tags have been sold for years. M Match the title VIN to the frame stamp, not just the plate.
- Marti records start in 1967, so a 1966 roadster is proven by its frame stamp, warranty plate and physical details. For a 1967–68 roadster, a Marti Report lists the factory options, paint, axle and build dates. MO
- Aftermarket backing plates are flat, while originals are stamped. WHU13
Manuals for a 1966–68 Bronco roadster
A parts vendor calls a factory shop manual "an essential reference for any serious early Bronco restoration or mechanical repair." TOM
- Complete, Illustrated 1966 Ford Bronco Factory Repair Shop and Service Manual (reprint) The listing notes a 1966 Bronco also needs the 1967 manual. Amazon
- 1967 Ford Bronco & Econoline Repair Shop Manual (reprint) Pairs with the 1966 supplement. Amazon
- 1968 Bronco 1969 Econoline and Club Wagon Shop Manual (USB) Lists 1968–69 Bronco models; PDF on a USB drive. Amazon
- Chilton's Repair and Tune-Up Guide: Bronco 1966–1977 Covers every early Bronco year. Amazon
- Ford Bronco: A History of Ford's Legendary 4x4 By Todd Zuercher, author of the Early Bronco Registry history cited on this site. Amazon
Product pages checked October 18, 2026. Prices change, so check the listing.
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FAQ
How many Bronco roadsters were made?
The Roadster Registry and EarlyBroncoAds both give 4,090 for 1966, 698 for 1967 and 212 for 1968, about 5,000 in total. RP
Did Bronco roadsters have doors?
Not as standard. Fiberglass inserts filled the door openings, and doors were an option. Some roadsters left the factory or dealer with doors. RCBHCCBU13
How do I know if a Bronco roadster is real?
Check for U13 at the start of the VIN stamped on the frame. Bodies are easy to swap, so the VIN is the only sure test. CBHCWHU13L
Is a U13 roadster worth more than a wagon?
Hagerty's market analyst named the U13 roadster his top pick, and roadster values doubled from 2016 to 2019. KH
Keep exploring
1966 BroncoFirst year, 4,090 roadsters1967 Bronco698 roadsters1968 BroncoLast roadster yearVIN decoderWhere the VIN stamps areFirst-gen hubAll 1966–77 yearsTrims & packagesSport, Ranger, Baja, XLT
Sources
- CBHC: ClassicBroncos.com forum, '1966 halfcab question'
- CBU13: ClassicBroncos.com forum, 'What are some of the unique features that only apply to U13 roadsters?' (Dec 2020)
- E: Early Bronco Registry, T. J. Zuercher, 'The History of the Early Ford Bronco (1966-1977)' (archived copy)
- H: Hagerty, 'Your handy 1966–77 Ford Bronco buyer's guide' (2021)
- K: Hagerty, 'Booming Broncos'
- L: LMC Truck, '1966-77 Bronco Vehicle Identification' (PDF)
- M: Marti Auto Works, 'Marti Reports'
- O: EarlyBronco.org, VIN Decoder
- P: EarlyBroncoAds.com, Early Bronco Production
- R: Ford Bronco Roadster Registry, 'History of the 1966-1968 Ford Bronco'
- TOM: Tom's Offroad, '66-77 Ford Bronco Manuals & Books' (vendor page, FAQ)
- WHU13: Wild Horses 4x4, 'Early Bronco U13 Roadster Style' (vendor page)