From Old School to New School: One-of-a-Kind Ford Bronco Roadster Concept is Hot!

Marking its 60th anniversary, the Ford Bronco Roadster concept fuses the original 1966 model with the new Bronco styling and it is stunning.

A Return to the Original Spirit

The first Bronco, introduced on August 11, 1965, was marketed as “the world’s first four-wheel-drive sports car.” That spirit of “fun through simplicity” was central to all three early body styles, but the U13 Roadster stood out as the truest expression of an off-road Mustang. For Ford’s design team, it became the touchstone for this concept.

“One of our closest collaborators owns a beautifully spartan 1966 Wimbledon White roadster,” said Robert Gelardi, Bronco Chief Designer in a press release. “That vehicle became our inspiration, a tangible link to the Bronco’s original DNA.”

Stripped Back to Essentials

Unlike the production Bronco, the Roadster Concept is not destined for showrooms. Instead, Ford’s design team approached the build with a philosophy of “turning the 6G into an OG.” That meant removing, rather than adding, in order to capture the simplicity of the first Bronco.

The concept features pared-down seating, a utilitarian rear compartment, and a simplified floor. Outside, designers fitted machined Fifteen52 Analog wheels, a fold-down tailgate stamped with the classic “FORD” wordmark, and reworked bumpers that echo the original’s design.

Built Wild, Open Air

For Gelardi, the project was about more than just styling cues. It was about recapturing the open-air experience that defined the Bronco from the start. “It didn’t need big tires or a lift to look good,” he said. “The Roadster was a pure expression of ‘Go Anywhere, Open Air.’ In this concept, we wanted to bring that feeling back.”

Driving the Roadster Concept, he explained, is about immersion in nature—closer to horseback riding or kayaking than simply operating a vehicle. That philosophy ties directly into Ford’s “Built Wild” brand message.

Looking Back to Move Forward

The Bronco Roadster Concept may never see production, but its purpose is symbolic: a reminder that the sixth-generation Bronco remains rooted in the mission of the original.

“With this concept, we want Bronco enthusiasts to know that as we move into the future, we always remember our past,” Gelardi said. “Sometimes, the most profound design statement is knowing what to leave out.”