The Ford Bronco has been a staple in the off-road community for decades, but there's one particular model that stands out from the rest: the "Big Oly" Bronco. This legendary vehicle was built for the Baja 1000 off-road race in the 1970s and has since become one of the most sought-after collector's items in automotive history.
The "Big Oly" Bronco was built by Bill Stroppe and Parnelli Jones, two legends in the off-road racing world, specifically to compete in the Baja 1000, one of the most demanding off-road races in the world. The race, which takes place in Baja California, Mexico, covers a grueling 1,000-mile course that includes a mix of rough terrain, high-speed sections, and treacherous obstacles.They took a standard Ford Bronco and transformed it into a Baja-conquering machine, with a lightweight fiberglass body, a custom suspension, and a powerful V8 engine. The vehicle was painted with the iconic Big Oly livery for its main sponsor, Olympia Beer, and it quickly became one of the most recognizable off-road racers of its time.
After sitting in Jones private collection since being retired in the early seventies, Big Oly debuted at Mecum Auction's Indy sale this last weekend and sold for an impressive $1.87 million. The vehicle was in near-original condition, with many of its original components and the iconic "Big Oly" livery still intact. The sale price reflects the high demand for historic off-road vehicles, especially those with a rich racing history like the Big Oly Bronco.
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Images: Mecum Auctions
