Debuted during Monterey Car Week, the one-off Bronco Roadster Concept pays tribute to the original 1966 U13 model while reimagining it through the lens of today’s sixth-generation Bronco.
A Return to Bronco’s Origins
When Ford first launched the Bronco in 1966, buyers could choose between three distinct body styles: the U14 half-cab pickup, the U15 wagon, and the U13 roadster. Of those, the roadster became the most evocative of the group, often described by Ford as “the closest execution to an off-road Mustang.”
Modern Reinterpretation
With no roof, no doors, and a straightforward design, it captured the raw, open-air experience that helped define the Bronco’s character. Nearly six decades later, Ford has revisited that formula with a modern reinterpretation, the Bronco Roadster Concept.
A Monterey Car Week Surprise
The concept was unveiled at the 2024 Monterey Car Week, an event where automakers bring their most exotic, experimental, and heritage-inspired creations. Ford had an active presence, showing off everything from the Mustang GTD Liquid Carbon edition to the final wave of the 820-horsepower GT Mk IV track car. But tucked alongside these performance showcases was something entirely different: a stripped-back Bronco prototype meant to celebrate the nameplate’s 60th anniversary.
Design Cues from 1966
Painted in Wimbledon White, the Bronco Roadster Concept draws directly from a preserved 1966 roadster owned by a member of Ford’s development team. The design rejects contemporary SUV trends in favor of minimalism: no roof, no B-pillars, and no rear seating. The interior is pared down to two silver leather jump seats with lap belts, a manual shifter, and just two cupholders. The rear cargo area is intentionally utilitarian, echoing the original U13’s layout.
Heritage in the Details
The exterior incorporates a number of retro-inspired touches. Both the front and rear bumpers were reworked to resemble mid-20th-century Bronco hardware, including a crash-bar style front end and a stamped vintage Ford logo on the tail. The wheel setup completes the look, machined Fifteen52 Analog wheels with an offset stance and a full-size spare mounted at the rear. Even the tailgate was modified to fold down, just like its 1966 counterpart.
A Philosophy of Reduction
The Bronco Roadster’s guiding principle was simplicity. Chief designer Robert Gelardi explained that his approach was about “intentional reduction,” removing modern conveniences in order to let the open-air experience define the vehicle. “When you’re in a vehicle like the Bronco Roadster, you’re not just passing through nature—you’re immersed in it,” Gelardi wrote. “Open air isn’t just a feature—it’s fundamental to what Bronco means.” This philosophy shaped both the look and feel of the concept, aligning it closely with the ethos of the original model.
Not Headed for Production
Ford has been clear that the Bronco Roadster Concept is a one-off creation, not destined for dealerships. It serves instead as a design study and a 60th anniversary tribute to the Bronco’s earliest form. Whether it ever sees real-world testing remains to be seen, but the concept gives us a taste of the appeal of a no-frills roadster built for the outdoors. And now, we really need this in our lives!
