Where rust usually means neglect, this 1966 Ford Bronco Roadster wears it as a badge of honor
Beyond Skin Deep
Famed automotive restoration artist Jonathan Ward continues to impress with his line of remade vehicles known as “Derelict.” The goal of the project is to preserve the time-and-road-hardened exteriors of classic off-road models —here the 1966 Ford Bronco Roadster—while transforming and modernizing their powertrains and interiors. The result? An awe-inspiring marriage of past and present.
Images Courtesy of Automobile Magazine
Real-Time Rust
According to Ward himself, conventional restoration often means parting ways with what describes as the romantic part of old vehicles, notably the patina of dents and dings. But unlike pre-worn jeans and artificially aged wood beams, this 1966 Ford Bronco has earned it’s rusted look, which makes the vehicle all that more interesting.
>>Join the conversation about Ward's Bronco project right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.
Lucky Number 13
This incredible 1966 Ford Bronco Roadster is the 13th restoration that’s been undertaken under Ward’s Derelict moniker. Only 5,000-odd vehicles were originally manufactured, meaning that these Broncos were essentially born rare. Tucked into the engine bay is a classic mainstay American automotive muscle: a 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V-8, tuned to exact specifications that produce 412-horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque.
>>Join the conversation about Ward's Bronco project right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.
Time Gone By
Ward’s Derelict Bronco might be completely modern under the hood, but the truck’s dulled paint and hazy smattering of surface rust are all thanks to over fifty years under the harsh central Texas sun. And while no one’s quite sure how the dented right front fender came to be, it certainly betrays a life of hard work during a time gone by.
>>Join the conversation about Ward's Bronco project right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.
Aged with Grace
While the rusted surface alludes to a completely untouched exterior, that, of course, isn’t the case. Surface treatments and additive materials were utilized throughout the restoration for sound deadening and heat insulation purposes. In addition, the truck’s wheels, steering column, and inner fender all needed to be “manually worn” in order to match the rest of the vehicle.
>>Join the conversation about Ward's Bronco project right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.
Off-Road Ready
The restored ’66 Ford Bronco’s frame is mandrel-bent, boxed, and powder-coated by Art Morrison, while the stainless steel, ceramic-coated Borla exhaust system adds a bit of throaty musicality, and power is routed through an AX15 five-speed manual transmission. The driveline is more-than-ready for off-road adventure, thanks to the implementation of the shortest shocks manufactured by Fox Racing, installed both for their durability and to preserve the Bronco’s stock proportions.
>>Join the conversation about Ward's Bronco project right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.
Restoration Automotive's Biggest Star
Thanks to their mix of unrestored body panels with the very latest in automotive technology, Jonathan Ward's Derelict cars have become their own nuclear-hot trend in the pesto-mod world, bubbling with interest from Wall Street, Silicon Valley and even influential minds in fashion. This 1966 Ford Bronco is no exception, a startling, stunning combination of automotive heritage, off-road prowess, and the very latest in performance tech. Fans of Jonathan Ward's Derelict series are doubtlessly dying to see what a 14th installment to the series might look like.
>>Join the conversation about Ward's Bronco project right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.
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