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2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Honors Baja Legend Legacy Bill Stroppe

The Ford Bronco has revolutionized the landscape of off-road racing vehicles, carving out a legendary status in the automotive world. In 1969, a pivotal moment occurred when Bill Stroppe modified a Bronco for the grueling Baja 1000 and NORRA Mexican 1000 races.

This Stroppe-enhanced Bronco achieved an unprecedented feat, becoming the only stock 4×4 to secure an overall victory in these challenging events. Bill Stroppe would be called a “legendary builder of winning off-road vehicles” by the Off-Road Motorsport Hall of Fame. 

Willie Stroppe with Ted Ryan look at 2025 Bronco Stroppe Special Edition
Willie Stroppe, son of Bille Stroppe, with Ted Ryan, Ford archive and heritage brand manager, looking at the Special Edition Bronco. Ford Media

Since its debut in 1966, Ford has consistently built upon the Bronco’s success, evolving the model through various iterations. Stroppe’s influence extended far beyond off-road racing, leaving an indelible mark on diverse motorsport disciplines, including hot rod culture, NASCAR, the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the daunting Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

To honor the legacy of Stroppe’s Baja Broncos, Ford has unveiled a contemporary limited-edition Bronco model for 2025. This exclusive model pays homage to its predecessor while incorporating modern design elements and capabilities. It was built as a high-performance SUV that combines the desert-racing spirit with today’s off-roading technology.

Some features include:

– Two-door configuration, reminiscent of the Wildtrak trim
– Distinctive color scheme featuring Atlas Blue, Oxford White, and Ford’s signature Code Orange
– Unique Stroppe badging adorning front and rear fenders
– Distinctive squared-off wheel arches, enhancing its rugged appeal
– White grille with Code Orange “BRONCO” text 
– Front end tow hooks
– White interior dashboard with Code Orange accents

When you purchased a Stroppe Baja Bronco in 1971, it rolled out of Bill Stroppe’s factory ready to tackle the Baja 1000,” said Jason Hyde, Bronco brand manager. “That capability was at the core of our development process for the new Bronco Stroppe Special Edition, including Fox Internal Bypass Dampers designed for performance and improved control during high-speed desert running, a standard EcoBoost 2.7-liter V6 engine, and Baja G.O.A.T. Mode.

interior 2025 ford bronco stroppe
Ford Media

This special edition Bronco not only celebrates a pivotal moment in off-road racing history but also demonstrates Ford’s commitment to honoring its heritage while pushing the boundaries of modern off-road performance.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Special Edition is a formidable off-road machine, purpose-built for conquering challenging desert terrain. At its core lies a potent powerplant – the EcoBoost 2.7-liter V6 engine. While exact output figures for this special edition haven’t been officially confirmed, it’s expected to deliver impressive performance. Estimates are in the range of 315-330 horsepower and around 415 lb-ft of torque.

This robust engine is paired with a sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring optimal power delivery across various driving conditions. The Bronco Stroppe’s off-road prowess is further enhanced by Ford’s G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) mode selector, allowing drivers to fine-tune the vehicle’s performance characteristics to match the terrain.

Of course, Ford made this just for those off-road fanatics. The Stroppe Special Edition rides on massive 35-inch Goodyear Territory RT tires. The tires are mounted on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels featuring gloss-black spokes.

This combination provides exceptional traction and durability in harsh off-road environments.

Underpinning the Bronco Stroppe is the highly capable HOSS 3.0 suspension system. This setup incorporates advanced Fox internal-bypass dampers, delivering superior wheel articulation and body control when tackling rough terrain at high speeds. The HOSS 3.0 system represents a significant upgrade over standard Bronco models, offering enhanced off-road performance and handling characteristics.

By combining these elements, Ford has created a limited-edition Bronco that pays homage to its desert racing heritage while incorporating modern technology and engineering to deliver exceptional off-road capability.

The Bronco will be available in January of 2025 but no details on pricing have been released.  

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