Earlier this month, as we gathered at Silver Lake to celebrate Bronco’s 60th birthday, I found myself asking a simple but powerful question: what made the original Bronco so compelling?
That reflection led us all the way back to the beginning—the 1966 U13 Roadster, what we affectionately call the OG.
The First “Four-Wheel Drive Sports Car”
When Ford unveiled the Bronco on August 11, 1965, it wasn’t just launching another utility vehicle. It was billed as “the world’s first four-wheel drive sports car.” And for once, the marketing wasn’t exaggerating.
The Bronco team had a clear mission: build a Mustang for off-road. The result was a vehicle that captured the same spirit that made the pony car an instant success—fun through simplicity.
That philosophy carried across all three of the original Bronco body styles:
- U14 Half-Cab Pickup – rugged and versatile.
- U15 Wagon – closest to the Bronco SUV we know today.
- U13 Roadster – the purest execution of an off-road Mustang.
The Roadster in particular embodied the essence of “Go Anywhere, Open Air.” It didn’t need oversized tires, a lift kit, or extra lights. Its appeal was in its bare-bones, adventure-ready simplicity.
Inspiration From the Past
During the development of the 2021 Bronco and Bronco Sport, we collaborated with a group of experts and enthusiasts. One of them, now a close friend, owns a pristine 1966 Wimbledon White Roadster.
That spartan machine became more than just a reference point—it was a living piece of design DNA that inspired the creation of our new Bronco Roadster Concept.
This concept was never intended for production. Instead, it serves as a tribute to the Bronco’s roots and a reminder of what makes the nameplate special.
A Concept That Immerses You in the Landscape
When you’re behind the wheel of the Bronco Roadster, you’re not just driving through nature—you’re immersed in it. It’s a sensation similar to riding a horse, navigating whitewater in a kayak, or mountain biking over rocky trails.
The open-air experience isn’t just a nice feature. It’s fundamental to the Bronco identity and ties directly into our “Built Wild” philosophy.
Addition by Subtraction
We approached this project with a simple mantra: “turn the 6G into an OG.”
That meant taking the sixth-generation Bronco and stripping it down to the essentials, recapturing the essence of the original Roadster.
Both Head of Design Todd Willing and Director Paul Wraith challenged us with a guiding question: how do we make something compelling by taking things away, not adding them in?
The result:
- Simplified interior – pared-back seating, minimal floor treatment, and a utilitarian rear compartment.
- Classic exterior details – machined Fifteen52 Analog wheels, a fold-down tailgate with “FORD” stamped into the metal, and modified bumpers to echo the OG Bronco’s design.
The philosophy was one of intentional reduction, using the sixth-generation Bronco as a strong foundation and pushing it even further toward pure simplicity with a completely open design.
More Than a Concept
This project reinforced a belief we hold close: design isn’t finished when the vehicle leaves our hands—it begins when owners make it their own.
The Bronco Roadster Concept is a reminder that as we push forward, we’ll always carry the Bronco’s original mission with us: building vehicles that celebrate freedom, adventure, and open-air exploration.
Sometimes, the most powerful design choice isn’t what you add—it’s what you leave out.
Robert Gelardi, Bronco Chief Designer
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Welcome to the Bronco Corral. As a long time Ford Truck enthusiast, I've been a fan of the Ford Bronco and Bronco II. In fact, I've completely rebuilt a Bronco II of my own. The Bronco Corral originally started as the Bronco II Corral, but in 2020 I decided to expand it to include all Ford Bronco's, and welcome the upcoming 2021 Ford Bronco. Thanks for stopping.
