Came across a 57 and the current owner says it came with some exclusive options. He says there are sand dispensers in front of each of the rear wheels. They don't work but supposedly there is a mechanism that you can activate that will drop sand and give it better traction in the snow/ice. He also says there is a radiator curtain that you can raise and lower to limit the amount of air flow through the radiator.

Has anybody ever heard of such "Exclusive Options?

 

Don't know but I'm in to find out.

Hell I just found out that they made a 4x4 1960 short bus.

 

Not exactly options, more like aftermarket equipment. Ford approved many aftermarket suppliers who published their advertisements each year in the Hildy's Blue Book of Specialized Equipment for Ford Trucks. It appears Napco offered a variety of winter service equipment, like the aftermarket 4wd conversion on the school bus. The below ad is from the 1963 Hildy's. Stu

 

Thank you Stu. Veryinteresting

 

I remember that short bus. I just can't find my helmet.