But it will live to race another day.
The Ford Bronco is one of the coolest cars Ford currently builds, while the first generation car is one of the coolest vehicles Ford has ever made. Both the old and new versions are massively popular. We’ve seen new first-edition versions of the new Bronco sell for crazy money, and people pay even more for first-gen cars. Who can forget the legendary ‘Big Oly’, a Baja Rally version of the first-gen Bronco that sold for a staggering $1.87 million back in May of 2021? This legendary race car, piloted by legend Parnelli Jones won the Baja 1000 in 1971 and 1972, as well as the 1973 Baja 500 and the 1973 Mint 400. This car made it through some of the toughest racing conditions known in motorsport, only to be flipped on its roof decades later.
FishGistics/Facebook
FishGistics/Facebook
FishGistics/Facebook
The holy grail of Ford Broncos was competing in the 2022 NORRA Mexican 1000 when tragedy struck. Big Oly lost its composure over a small berm and eventually end up on its roof as you can see from these images. When the Bronco is flipped back on its wheels the damage is visible, but mostly cosmetic. That aero foil-like roof is more of a wing than a roof, and is just one of Parnelli’s ingenious design tactics that helped this car go on to win so many Baja titles.
Thankfully the exterior, including that awesome Olympia Beer livery remains untouched, and once on its wheels, the big racing machine happily rolled away from the accident. Its tough tube-frame surely played a part.
FishGistics/Facebook
FishGistics/Facebook
FishGistics/Facebook
FishGistics/Facebook
Under that retro skin, Big Oly features a Ford Windsor V8 engine producing 390 horsepower, a 22-gallon gas tank and a fully custom suspension setup that helps keep it upright in most situations. Big Oly is clearly the predecessor of the modern pre-runner trucks we see gliding over desert terrain these days, and we appreciate the fact that it is still being pushed to the limit in the environment it was built for. If being the most expensive and most iconic Ford Bronco ever means you get raced, rolled and abused like this, then Big Oly deserves even more respect.
Mecum Auctions
Mecum Auctions
Mecum Auctions
Mecum Auctions
