If Rod Hall ever had the opportunity to race a new Ford Bronco, perhaps it would have resembled this rendering. Chances are, he would have left the competition in the dust. Rod Hall dedicated his life to racing four-wheel-drive vehicles, achieving one of the most impressive racing resumes in professional off-road racing history by winning over 160 major events along with numerous SCORE, HDRA, and BiTD championship titles.
One of Hall’s notable accomplishments was racing in every single one of the first fifty SCORE Baja 1000 events, which is one of the most prestigious off-road races globally. From its inception in 1967, when it was called the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally, to his last start racing a Hummer in 2017 at nearly 80 years old, Hall earned 25 class wins and created thousands of memories along the way. One of his standout victories was his overall race win in the 1968 Baja 1000 while driving a Bill Stroppe-built Ford Bronco, arguably marking the only overall win in a factory-chassis four-wheel-drive vehicle.
With the excitement surrounding the new 2021 Ford Bronco, Rod Hall’s nostalgic Bronco has experienced a revival in popularity. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as enthusiasts celebrate the classic early race Bronco while welcoming the new model to market. Firstly, Hall raced his Samco Fabrication restored, race-winning 1968 Ford Bronco in the 2016 NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. Furthermore, the Geiser Brothers-built Ford Bronco R, hinting at the new production Bronco, paid tribute to the race Bronco by competing in the 2019 Score Baja 1000 alongside Cameron Steele’s Desert Assassins team. Today, with the official unveiling of the 2021 Ford Bronco, we can envision how Hall’s early 1968 Bronco could appear as a modern version over 50 years later.
Designer Abimelec Arellano, known for creating the 6×6 Bronco, produced this Ford Performance, GT500-powered Rod Hall Ford Bronco digital concept. Featuring a clean, modern 2021 Bronco aesthetic, it pushes more power than the restored early Bronco’s carbureted 347 engine. While it may not resemble the rugged Bronco R, it significantly diverges from the original design. This concept captures a mixture of nostalgia with contemporary style.
However, it is important to note that this concept is not race-prepped like Hall’s restored race machine. This detail keeps the Bronco looking cleaner and more approachable compared to classic race vehicles. The paint scheme pays homage to the original Hall Bronco, with the KC HiLiTES HID lights mirroring the restored version. Although the tires are, of course, BFGoodrich, the offset might be excessive, raising questions about how they would perform in challenging Baja environments. Similar to the restored Bronco, the tailgate and back seat have been omitted to allow for a spare tire, while the suspension is definitely more forgiving than the original’s stiff setup.
Even though it has been over 50 years since Rod Hall clinched victory in the Baja 1000 with his early Bronco, renderings like this one help bridge the gap between past and present. Whether you lean towards the classic Bronco or the new, contemporary version, it is clear that this Rod Hall Ford Bronco concept encapsulates the vintage essence that celebrates the glory days of off-road racing.
