One to Buy: ex-Gilles Villeneuve 1976 Ford Bronco
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Launched in August 1965 for the 1966 model year, the Bronco was conceived as Ford’s offering for a Sport Utility Vehicle market that was rapidly beginning to gain popularity.
Using a box-section body-on-frame construction, the Bronco initially came with a 2.8-litre (170 cubic-inch) straight six which was joined by an optional 4.7-litre (289 cubic-inch) V8 from March ‘66. An even bigger 5-litre (302 cubic-inch) then came on stream for the 1969 model year.
Transmission was through a three-speed manual or automatic gearbox and full-time four-wheel drive system. As for the suspension, a coil spring and radius arm arrangement was used up front with a leaf sprung solid axle at the rear. Customers could initially choose from one of three body styles: a two-door Station Wagon, a half-cab Pickup and a door-less open-top Roadster (the latter of which was dropped for 1969).
In total, a little over 225,000 first generation Broncos were built between 1965 and 1977, among the most significant of which is chassis U15GLB09627 that will be going under the hammer at Aguettes’ Tour Auto sale in Paris on May 4th.
This remarkable Bronco was commissioned in 1976 by upcoming racer, Gilles Villeneuve, who that year bagged both the United States and Canadian Formula Atlantic Championships in dominant fashion. During the Canadian series finale at Trois-Rivieres, Villeneuve so impressed third place man James Hunt (who would secure the F1 Drivers’ crown six weeks later), that Hunt convinced his employers at McLaren to give the highly rated youngster an F1 drive.
The rest is history and, after one race with McLaren, Villeneuve signed with Scuderia Ferrari with whom he remained until his untimely death during practice for the Belgian Grand Prix in May 1982.
Inspired by Ford’s successful Baja racers, Gilles Villeneuve ordered his Bronco with an incredible specification that included a tuned five-litre engine, a Doug Nash five-speed drag racing gearbox with Hurst Competition shifter, reinforced suspension and twin fuel tanks. Other enhancements comprised flared fenders to cover white wheels shod with extra wide Mickey Thomspon tyres, a front-mounted mechanical winch, Recaro bucket seats, a custom steering wheel and a steering column-mounted rev counter.
Following its completion, Villeneuve frequently used the Bronco in the wilds of his beloved Quebec as well as in Monaco and the Alps.
Today, this legendary Bronco is presented in totally original and unrestored configuration having remained untouched since Villeneuve’s death.
Chassis U15GLB09627 is accompanied by its original number plate and the original Canadian registration document filled out in the name of Gilles Villeneuve Enterprises.
