Saleen Automotive and Steve Saleen are usually known for their pavement pounders, but the 2021 Ford Bronco gets them into the dirt with a Big Oly theme.
Before Roush really took off for Ford, there was another named closely tied to the Detroit brand that people salivated for: a Saleen version of their Mustang, Explorer, Ranger (as the SporTruck) and even the Focus. On top of that was their halo car, the S7 built from 2000 to 2009. However, nearly all these vehicles were designed for roads that were paved, even the Ranger and Explorer. Saleen Automotive and Steve Saleen were never really associated with off-road builds. Sure, they have the Sportruck XR, but they wanted something more and tied in with Parnelli Jones.
A Saleen-ed 2021 Ford Bronco will certainly do that. What we’re currently looking at are renders, but the homage is unmistakable as this Bronco is another tribute to Parnelli Jones though “Big Oly.”
Big Oly and Parnelli Jones
Of course, the star attraction of Big Oly was that incredibly unique aluminum wing set where the roof would be. It was questionable that the wing really helped, but Jones felt like it did as the rear of the short wheelbase racer was rather loose at high speeds. It was also adjustable with a lever in the cab, adding 10-degree increments until it topped out at 40-degrees.
In its four-year run (1970 to 1974), Big Oly, Jones, and Stroppe dominated the Mexican 1000 (Baja 1000), Baja 500, and Mint 400. The streak of supremacy by Jones as a driver was ended only due to him stepping away after a major accident at the 1974 Baja 500. He would continue as a team owner including a Formula One team from 1974 to 1976 as well as owner of a wholesaler business and Firestone tire centers as well as start several wheel brands such as American Racing, U.S. Mags, and others.
The Saleen Bronco
Now that the 2021 Ford Bronco is coming, Steve Saleen and Saleen Automotive thought this would be a great time to remind all of us of Parnelli Jones’ desert roots. To celebrate a new Saleen Bronco, a Big Oly tribute will be built that not only has the original Olympia Beer livery but also many Saleen parts that improve performance off-road beyond what Ford even imagined.
According to the release, “The Saleen Bronco is not only resplendent in a livery reminiscent of the original, but also boasts numerous performance features fans have come to expect from Saleen.” They haven’t provided a detailed list as of yet but promise that more will be revealed soon. Hopefully, it won’t be too long of a wait.
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