A rare pre-production 1966 Ford Bronco turned sand racer is up for auction, restored with its wild origins intact
7 hours ago
- This Bronco’s inline-six now boasts a Paxton supercharger.
- The sand racer competed in various events in the late 1960s.
- Weight-saving measures include ditching the front brakes.
Classic Ford Broncos are definitely having a moment, showing up in restomod builds and off-road projects all over the place. But this 1966 example isn’t just another trail-ready custom. Built as a one-off sand drag racer back in the mid-1960s, it takes a very different path, and it’s now headed to auction with a unique story and a whole lot of character.
Read: Kindred Motorworks’ Latest Bronco Restomod Is An All-Black Beast
This particular Bronco began life as a pre-production model before being transformed into the wild machine you see here. The conversion came courtesy of Charlie Erickson and Bill Stroppe, and the result was a purpose-built sand racer that competed in the late 1960s.
Over time, it’s been stripped of anything non-essential, trimmed down to keep weight as low as possible.
It’s Supercharged
The original 170 cubic-inch inline-six has been upgraded with a Paxton supercharger, Dual Stromberg two-barrel carburetors, and a custom intake manifold. There are also new intake and exhaust lobes. There’s no word on how much power the one-off Ford has, but we know it’s coupled to a modified three-speed manual transmission.
Mecum is set to auction the Bronco on March 21 and notes that it underwent a full restoration in 2011. While the original look was preserved, the mechanicals received serious attention. The team behind the rebuild fitted new front and rear limited-slip differentials, traction bars, and revised suspension components throughout.
Who Needs Front Brakes?
Elsewhere, there are new heavy-duty shocks at the front and wheels, custom 15-inch wheels with unique Goodyear tires that have hand-cut grooves. With speed as the guiding principle, even the front brakes were deleted to shave off unnecessary weight. After all, stopping is optional when you’re trying to win, or at least just trying to look like you did. Just hope the finish line isn’t uphill.
Mecum Auctions
The cabin is also completely stripped in the name of weight savings, with little more than a single bucket seat, a steering wheel, and a few gauges mounted to the wooden dash. There are no doors or windows either, so bringing a helmet and goggles is probably a good idea.
There’s no estimate yet on how much this Bronco might fetch at auction, but for anyone looking to own a truly singular piece of Ford history, this could be the one. If the idea of a Bronco that scoffs at doors, windows, and front brakes appeals to you, it doesn’t get much rawer than this. You can view the full listing over here.
