Ford celebrated the 60th anniversary of the legendary Bronco. When the American manufacturer first unveiled it on August 11, 1965, it was advertised as “the world’s first four-wheel-drive sports car.” This was not just advertising hyperbole. The team’s goal was to create a Mustang for off-roading, and the result captured the same element—fun comes from simplicity—that made the pony car such an overwhelming success. “During the development of the Bronco and Bronco Sport 2021, we collaborated with a group of experts and enthusiasts who helped guide our vision. One of them, who has since become a dear friend, owns a beautiful 1966 Wimbledon White roadster. We have admired that vehicle for a long time, and it was an inspiration to the design team, as well as a tangible link to the original Bronco’s stylistic DNA for this Concept Roadster,” explained Robert Gelardi, Bronco project leader.
The team wanted to transform the “6G into an OG,” taking the current generation Bronco and stripping it down to its essentials to capture the same essence as the original roadster. Both design chief Todd Willing and director Paul Wraith challenged the entire team by reminding them of a key aspect of the original Bronco: its simplicity. So the designers simplified the seats, reduced the floor space, and created a functional rear compartment reminiscent of the original. On the outside, they installed Fifteen52 Analog machined wheels, updated the tailgate with a folding design featuring the word “Ford” stamped on the metal, and modified the front and rear bumpers to make them more similar to the original Bronco.
“This exercise reinforced a concept that we always keep in mind: design doesn’t stop when we’re done, it’s just the beginning. We want to imagine how our customers will make their Broncos unique, because that’s fundamental to the Bronco story. With the Roadster Concept, we want Bronco enthusiasts to know that as we move toward the future, we never forget our past. This concept reminds us that we continue to keep Bronco’s original off-road mission among our goals. Because sometimes, the most profound statement you can make is knowing exactly what to leave out,” concluded Robert Gelardi, Bronco project leader.
