Ford lovers have been waiting for 28 months for the 2023 Bronco Wild Truck
It took Tamara Gravelle to get her ’23 Ford Bronco Velocity Blue WildTrak in 2022, but now runs the Women’s Bronco Group in Michigan.
In August 1965, the world was introduced to what would become the iconic off-roader Ford Bronco. Originally, the Bronco was offered in three body styles. The U15 wagon was like the current version of the Bronco, with the U14 being a half-cab pickup and the U13 being a doorless, topless “Roadster.” Only the U15 format survived in the present day. All modern Broncos have a door (can be removed) as well as a cloth or panel roof. However, Ford appears to have a nuisance of retrieving the rarest of the original Bronco body style.
Naturally, Ford says he has no intention of building the Bronco Roadster concept. But we sincerely hope that we find a way around that obvious obstacle. That is to say, the concept finds there is no side impact protection of any kind, three-point seat belt (it has a lap belt), or rollover protection. Of course, there are no doors or roll bars. My head doesn’t rest in the seats at the front (and only). Minor details.
Although Ford has not designated the Bronco used as the base for this concept, a representative from Ford confirmed that it is a two-door example of the base model using the standard turbocharged 2.3-liter Eco Boost I-4 engine found on the base. Using that standard engine fits the “added by subtraction” philosophy used during builds. Even the direct injection, turbocharged and intercooled eco boost is more complicated than the original U13’s 2.8 liters of overhead valve inline 6.
Of course, the larger imports are, like the original Bronco Roadster, a shortage of the front doors of the Roadster. Other nods to safety and design standards of the 1960s include missing headrests, metal look silver trim on the grab handle, and a center console. The Bronco’s rear seats are completely removed, leaving something like pickup bed type area.
The spares and four mounted aluminum wheels are made of 152, known as “analog,” and take direct inspiration from 1966 steel wheels, but are finished in bright silver instead of the Wimbledon white worn by the factory’s original U13 Roadster (example of Ford on display nearby). The carpet has also been removed from the concept, revealing exposed steel floors, but painted in the same Wimbledon white as the rest of the body. This applies to the regular black dashboard and the rest of the center console, except for the black vinyl wrap at the top of the dashboard.
The lower body features deep burgundy matching the “Bronco 60” and “EST 1966” decals. Ford will also replace the Bronco’s regular swing gate with a full-fledged swingdown tailgate. It is embedded deep in the center due to the rise “Ford” logo on the Classic Script. An interesting nod to the 1966 model is the rotating license plate holder. The plate was not attached to the bumper, so this will make it look swinging when the tailgate goes down. Finally, the front and rear bumpers are designed to mimic the original, simple steel design of the 1966 Roadster, but have some simple curves and angles to match the 2025 Roadster concept body.
While the 2025 Ford Bronco Roadster concept will never come to life, you won’t be surprised to see some elements incorporated into future models and Ford performance accessories. (For example, spare tire carriers and rear seat removal kits.) It says that there are elements that are already inspired by the 1966 model year from the 2025 Ford Bronco 60th Anniversary Package, but you won’t get the option of real tailgates, steel-like bumpers, analog wheels and bare flooring.
Photo by Ford
