Saleen Recreated the Legendary “Big Oly” Ford Bronco Off-Road Racer

When Ford launched the Bronco in 1966, the rugged 4X4 was an instant competitor against the era’s off-road pedestrian vehicles like the Jeep CJ, International Scout, and Toyota Land Cruiser. By 1970, the original Ford Bronco “Big Oly” was unleashed at the Mexican 1000 off road race. It was the first “funny car” of off-road racing, and it changed the competition field forever.

The Bronco was built to handle the most brutal off-road races and it won several events from the late- ‘60s through the mid-‘70s. The heavily modified SUV rode on a custom tube-frame chassis and was powered by a tuned 351 Windsor V8 that offered between 350-400 horsepower, about half of what today’s typical fire-breathing 700-800 horsepower trophy trucks bring to the competition but still ahead of its time.

Originally piloted by (and once owned by), racer extraordinaire Parnelli Jones, Big Oly quickly became the first “supercar” of the off-road racing circuit. With the help of legendary builders Bill Stroppe and Dick Russell, Jones was equipped with a high-performance 4×4 that conquered the grueling Baja 1000 course, earning back-to-back wins in 1971 and ‘72. The Big Oly Bronco further secured its legacy as a venerable off-road race vehicle when it won the Baja 500 and the Mint 400 in 1973.

In May of 2021, it became one of the most valuable SUVs in the world when it sold for a jaw-dropping $1.87 million at Mecum’s $100-million-plus Indy sale.

Saleen just revealed its tribute to the famous Bronco. Described as a revival by some, the Saleen-built Big Oly is built from the modern Ford Bronco and made to look like the classic off-road racing machine. Instead of the small-block Windsor V8, the modern rendition is powered by a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, which would normally offer 330 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, but Saleen put a little more pep in its step by tuning it to 375 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.

Saleen’s modern Big Oly Tribute Bronco also features suspension upgrades, plus custom wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich tires that contribute to its off-road prowess look. The familiar gold and white color scheme of the original 4X4 racer carries through to the interior, which is upholstered in premium leather with Alcantara inserts and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. Olympia branding appears on the doors, a nod to Big Oly’s race wins.

One of the more unique features on the vintage Bronco was its large aluminum wing, which is said to have had a range of 40 degrees of adjustability and is adjustable in 10 degree increments from a lever in the cab. The modern rendition minimizes the rear wing. Other modifications include an integrated skid plate, a redesigned bumper, additional hood vents, and extra spotlights above the windshield.

Saleen did not share the pricing for its Big Oly limited edition, but a post by Tirado Racing on Facebook revealed a $150,000 price tag.

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