Ford used Monterey Car Week to honor the Bronco’s 60th anniversary with a concept that strips the SUV back to its purest form — a topless Wimbledon White throwback to the original 1966 U13 Roadster.
A Different Kind of Concept Car
While Chevrolet and Cadillac grabbed headlines with futuristic visions — the Corvette CX.R and the angular “Elevated Crossover” — Ford zagged in the opposite direction. Instead of sci-fi styling, the Blue Oval rolled out a love letter to its past: the Bronco Roadster Concept, a minimalist off-roader built to channel the DNA of the very first Bronco.
As Bronco chief designer Robert Gelardi put it, the team was inspired by what they call “the OG — the 1966 U13 roadster.” Back then, the Bronco was marketed as “the world’s first four-wheel-drive sports car,” essentially a Mustang for the dirt. And of the three original variants — the half-cab pickup, wagon, and roadster — the U13 embodied the “open-air freedom” that defined Bronco from day one.
Design by Subtraction
Gelardi described the concept’s mission as a process of removal rather than addition: “What can I take away?” That ethos is visible everywhere.
- No roof. No B-pillars. Just a cut-down silhouette in crisp Wimbledon White.
- Vintage cues. Block-letter Ford logos stamped into the bumpers, retro full-moon hubcaps, and a full-sized spare mounted on a cast-style Fifteen52 wheel.
- Rugged stance. Knobby tires and offset wheels hint at trail-ready toughness without overcomplication.
The Wimbledon White finish directly nods to both the original U13 and the current Bronco 60th Anniversary Edition, tying past and present together in a subtle but powerful way.
Spartan Inside, But With Just Enough Tech
Step inside and you won’t mistake this for a modern SUV. The cabin is stripped to essentials: a few knobs and dials, body-colored panels, and simple black-and-silver seating. Only two modest digital screens — one for infotainment, one for the driver — betray its modern age.
Gelardi described the Roadster as more than a vehicle: “When you’re in a Bronco Roadster, you’re immersed in nature. Open air isn’t just a feature — it’s fundamental to what Bronco means.”
Built Wild, Not Built for Dealers
Ford has been careful to say the Bronco Roadster Concept is “not intended for production.” But the wording leaves just enough wiggle room to keep enthusiasts hopeful. After all, a limited-run anniversary edition that pays tribute to the model that launched an icon would be an irresistible move for collectors.
And at Monterey Car Week — a showcase of one-offs, heritage plays, and aspirational machines — the Roadster stood out by keeping things simple. Instead of previewing tomorrow, it reminded the crowd why the Bronco has lasted 60 years in the first place.
