Carlisle, PA – In 1965 production started on the Ford Bronco and once on the road in 1966, it became part of the automotive lexicon and, over its storied run, has produced not only some memorable rides, but moments too. As Ford’s iconic SUV turns 60, the 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals are rolling out the red carpet to host not only some of the most iconic Broncos of all time, but names attached to the marque, displays, and more.

It’s still months until the Blue Oval fun comes to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, but when the June 5–7 event comes around, more than 3,300 vehicles will populate the National Parts Depot Showfield, with even more vehicles on display indoors or under a tent. The Bronco turnout is expected to be at an all-time high by way of four different galleries. This includes Featured Vehicle display placement within Building T, a neighboring display tent, what’s being billed as a Pro-Builder area on the Manufacturers Midway, and a showcase of Stroppe Broncos. 

As the aforementioned displays go, they’ll break down as follows. The Building T gallery hosts historic Broncos, racing Broncos, special Bronco builds, and extremely unique Broncos. The tent aims to piece together a timeline featuring all years of Ford Bronco production, from year one in 1966 through versions of today’s Bronco. The Stroppe Broncos will be parked together outdoors, the midway will see an increased presence of Bronco vendors and builders, special guests with Bronco ties will be at Carlisle, and with the anticipated turnout of even more Broncos in 2026, the Showfield will have expanded Bronco classes.

FYI – if you have a Bronco that fits one of those special displays, the Featured Vehicle Display application process is NOW OPEN through at least the first quarter of 2026 at CarlisleFeatures.com.  Don’t delay, apply today! 

Beyond the vehicles on display, this celebration is for those who have helped make this ride what it is today.  That includes Ford on the midway, plus vendors and builders who have put their own unique style, design, and vision into a variety of aftermarket products.  This Pro-Builder area is specially crafted with builders and their products.  It’s a front line opportunity to showcase a build or something that can go onto or into a Bronco that an enthusiast may want for their ride.  Like the Bat signal calls for the caped crusader, this Pro-Builder area is calling for ALL who work to make the Bronco what it is today.  Call 717-243-7855 x116 to get involved.

In addition, the Broncos will be in motion Friday for an on-grounds parade. This lap around the grounds is open to ALL Broncos in attendance Friday, including those within the displays and on the Showfield.

Further, with a planned expansion to the Bronco Showfield area, NOW is the time to register your ride and park it amongst a sea of Broncos.  National Parts Depot Showfield registration is open online through June 1, with select discounts available between now and 45 days prior to the event.

As for the event itself, gates open at 7 AM each day and kids 12 and under are admitted FREE, while students 13+ are admitted for just $5 (with valid in-person ID). A military discount is also available with valid ID for in-person purchases only. Complete details about the 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals, including information on how to become a vendor, register for the Showfield, apply for display consideration, engage with an event activity, or simply purchase discounted spectator admission tickets can be found at CarlisleEvents.com.

Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of over a dozen annual collector car/truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA), and the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes automotive flea markets of varying sizes, multiple auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports, tuners, and performance sport compacts. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe. More information is available at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.

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Since this was a first hour production ‘66 Bronco, I have gone out of my way to keep it original. I even went to the point of buying other ‘66s just to cherrypick original ‘66 parts for this restoration! As it stands, it’s the 7th oldest known Bronco, but arguably is the oldest most original. So there are of later production Broncos that are lower mileage which still have original paint, tires etc., but this ‘66 is currently the most accurate example of the earliest production Broncos.

Other interesting points about this Bronco is it’s the first known heavy duty packaged Bronco. The model code is U152 as most people know U15 is the wagon/full top, U14 is the 1/2 cab, U13 is topless. The base model of each of the three U150, U140, and U130 but heavy duty package equips the Broncos with HD 7 pack rear leaf springs, factory limited slip rear axle, HD Autolite shocks, and HD front coils. Also sometimes accompanied with heavy duty packages are Warn lockout hubs, HD clutch and HD riveted (not pinch welded) K/H wheels.

With all this extra beef on the drivetrain, coupled with all the added bling, it’s not surprising that this Bronco’s DSO code is 89. It’s listed as “transportation services” but this is better explained as “promotional vehicle.” Ford makes promotional vehicles intended to be used for advertisement and/or given to a Ford executive. In the early Bronco community there are only 3 DSO 89 Broncos (2 ‘66s and a ‘76) I’m sure there were more at one point, but obviously this Bronco still has a very rare and unique history.

– Motor: stock 170
– Trans: stock 3 speed column shift
– Transfer: stock Dana 20
– Axles: stock 4.11 LS Ford 9” & 4.10 Dana 30
– Suspension: stock HD springs with HD Monroe shocks (couldn’t find original HD Autolite shocks)
– Interior: stock ‘66 silver front bucket and rear back bench
– Paint: 2 stage stock Caribbean Turquoise with Wimbledon white top
– Tires: stock 7.00×15 LT M/S bias

Additional factory options include: chrome package (chrome bumpers, wheel covers, horn ring, taillight bezels) chrome door mirrors, chrome bumperettes, radio, heater, hazard flashers, hand throttle, cigar lighter, windshield washers, and sun visors. I know some of the options seem like they would be standard equipment, like the squirters or the heater, but in ‘66 you could get one stripped down to bare bones with a hand choke, headlights switch and ignition switch… pretty hard to imagine comparing options to today’s base models. lol

If you would like your car featured in Reader Wheels click on the link below and tell us a little bit about your ride.

CLICK HERE

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According to United Pacific Industries Director of Research and Development, David Odegard, “United Pacific Industries has specifically chosen Maxlider Brothers Customs to build this high-profile flagship Bronco for our company. Their knowledge of and passion for Ford Broncos is unmatched, so we knew they were the best people to build our SEMA booth vehicle.”

After building more than 500 classic Broncos, Maxlider Brothers Customs has the experience to know what is important to Bronco enthusiasts: proportions of tire size, lift kit and bolt on parts as well as a blue color because it is the most popular color choice. The United Pacific Bronco will be painted in the company’s corporate shade of blue with white accents on the fender flares and roof.

The United Pacific classic Ford Bronco will be equipped with a Ford Performance Coyote 5.0L engine and other modern conveniences including air conditioning, Bluetooth stereo, accurate electronic gauges and power running boards. Maxlider Brothers Customs has not overlooked any detail, including adjustable custom leather seats to accommodate taller drivers and passengers with ease. The 1966 Bronco in the United Pacific booth might look classic on the outside, but it features modern amenities necessary to make it comfortable to drive today.

United Pacific produces exact replica sheet metal for the 1966 to 1977 Ford Broncos so that enthusiasts can recreate their ideal classic Bronco, and this is the sheet metal used on the Bronco being built by Maxlider Brothers Customs. The company supplied everything necessary for the body, including the fender flares, door shells, windshield and window frames, front and rear bumpers, door jambs, tail light housing panels, rocker panels and more. United Pacific also supplied the billet aluminum tail light bezels and LED sequential tail lights for the build. In total, more than 60 products from United Pacific are used on the vehicle.
Parts on the vehicle include:

* Body: Sheet metal by United Pacific Industries with hand built tub by Maxlider Brothers Customs
* Engine: Ford Performance Coyote 5.0L Mustang engine
* Transmission: Heavy Duty 4R70W by Bowler Transmission and CompuShift electronic controller
* Transfer Case: Atlas 2 from Advance Adapters
* Chassis: Custom chassis by Maxlider Brothers Customs
* Suspension: Custom 4-link front, 3-link rear and long-arms by Black Beard Broncos with Fox coil-over shocks
* Axles and Differentials: Currie axle housings, Yukon Gear and Axle differentials & axles, Randy’s Driveshafts
* Brakes: Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes
* Tires: 33×12.5×15-inch BF Goodrich KM2’s
* Interior: Custom leather seats and panels by Twin City Upholstery
* Cage: 4-point interior cage by Black Beard Broncos
* Coyote kit (brackets, cooling system, engine mounts, A/C, exhaust): BC Broncos
* Gauges: Classic Instruments cluster
* Lights and Lenses: United Pacific Industries
* Running boards: AMP Research powered running boards
* Steering gearbox: Steerco/AGR
* Steering column: Flaming River
* Fuel tank: Black Beard Broncos
* Console: ICON 4×4
* Wire harness, body lift and bushings, glass, door handles/components, mirrors, switches, seat belts, hardware kit, fender flares: Wildhorses 4×4
* Seals, bumpers: Bronco Graveyard

About United Pacific Industries

United Pacific Industries is a leading manufacturer of heavy duty truck and classic vehicle parts. With parts engineered with superior reliability to meet the demands of customers and automotive enthusiasts, United Pacific sets the standard for quality, design and innovation. More than 20,000 parts are available from United Pacific for big rigs and classic cars. For more information, call 866.327.5288 or visit UPauto.com. Follow United Pacific: @UPcarparts or Instagram: @unitedpacificlongbeach.

Plan your upcoming year with the 2019 Reader Rides Calendar by Old Cars Weekly.
Get yours today!

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – RK Motors Charlotte, one of the nation’s premier restorers, re-sellers and builders of classic, muscle and high-performance cars, spearheaded a project to restore and customize a classic Ford Bronco in honor of fallen hero, US Navy SEAL Chief Adam Brown.

The truck was part of a “Give Forward” campaign where the public donated $65,319,660, while RKMC and other corporate sponsors including 5-Hour Energy, RoushYates, BDS Suspension and ESAB provided parts, services and additional funds for “Project Fearless.” The 1991 Bronco was recently completed in the RK Motors Performance Center, located in Mooresville, N.C,. and unveiled to Chief Brown’s family.

“When I first heard of Chief Brown’s incredible bravery, I was moved by his sacrifice,” said Rob Kauffman, owner and chairman, RK Motors, LLC. “While his service as a Navy SEAL was admirable, his battle to overcome personal demons to reach the U.S. military’s top tier was inspiring. We felt compelled to help rebuild Chief Brown’s Bronco as a tribute to him and his family. It was just the right thing to do.”

Adam Brown’s story was chronicled in the New York Times bestselling book “FEARLESS,” by Eric Blehm. Killed in action during 2010 in Afghanistan, Chief Brown died placing himself in the line of fire to protect his unit. These actions saved the lives of several of his men. The 12-year US Navy veteran was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his heroism. He is survived by his wife and two children.

“We understand that Mrs. Brown bought the truck for Adam and he loved driving it,” said Joseph Carroll, RKMC CEO and president. “But overseas tours made it difficult to maintain it. With his friends and other sponsors, we returned the Bronco to duty for his family as a symbol of Chief Brown’s life.”

The 1991 Ford Bronco was the model’s 25th anniversary year. With its fuel injected V8 engine, it was considered a cutting edge American off road truck. Now clad in custom bodywork, “Desert Tan” paint and upgraded throughout, the “Project Fearless” Bronco was transformed into virtually a new vehicle.

“The initial goal was to simply restore the truck,” said Darell Johnston, RK Fabrication and Team Leader for the Bronco Project. “But as we got to know the Brown family, their vision to make the truck something much greater, much like Chief Brown lived his life, took the build in a new direction. So we stripped it down to the frame and methodically began building the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle. It’s a true reflection on the man we’re honoring.”

RK began its renovation with the Ford’s heart. The original V8 was replaced with a new 5.0L “Coyote” Aluminator engine that churns out over 400 HP. It is connected to a Transzilla T56 six speed with a Centerforce dual friction clutch sending power to a 241 GM transfer case with slip yoke eliminator.

The rear end was replaced with a Ford 8.8 unit using Yukon 31-splines while the front axles get their power from a “Detroit Locker” sporting 4:56 gears. The suspension features a BDS lift system, Warn locking hubs and a Power Slot brake system.

The team wanted the exterior of the Bronco to reflect the truck’s capabilities, so the body was prepped for a new “Desert Tan” finish. The Bronco now has a one piece fiberglass hood that flips forward to open, fiberglass wheel flares, custom bumpers, a Warn M12000 winch, “ammo storage” boxes on rails and custom Superbright LED lighting. The side trim and emblems were smoothed and deleted for a more modern appearance. The “super truck” rides on 18”x12” Fuel Off-road wheels wrapped in 38/15.50/18 Nitto Mud Grappler tires.

The interior was not left untouched. It was enhanced with custom Corbeau seats, custom panels, hand fabricated dash, LED accent lighting, Classic Instruments’ aviation-style gauges, a Vintage Air climate control system, Kenwood touchscreen stereo sending tunes to the Alpine speakers, subwoofer and 5-channel amplifier, as well as various military hardware touches.

The vehicle was displayed to the public for the first time this past weekend at the RKM Collector Car Auction, from Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in the Charlotte Convention Center. It will be next shown at the Charlotte International Auto Show from Nov. 21-24 in the convention center, also.

For more images of the Bronco, please follow http://myclassicgarage.com/social/profile/operation-fearless. Those interested in RK Motors Charlotte or the vehicles available in its inventory, can visit www.RKMotorsCharlotte.com or call 704-596-5211.

A brief bio on Adam Brown

Navy SEAL Chief (SOC) Adam Brown was killed in action in Komar Province, Afghanistan, on March 17, 2010. In true “Adam Brown Style” he died a true hero, placing himself in the line of fire to protect other members of his unit. Adam’s Special Ops Assault Team was assaulting an enemy compound, an operation Adam had performed many times.

The U.S. Forces were engaging the enemy in a fire fight, when a portion of the U.S. soldiers were pinned down by very heavy fire from the enemy compound. In an effort to protect his men, Adam charged the enemy from a better vantage point, drawing fire away from his pinned down comrades. His selfless action relieved the fire on his men, but it unfortunately resulted in Adam being struck by enemy fire. One other member of the American Team was wounded, but Adam’s heroic action saved the other men. The enemy compound was captured and all enemy combatants were killed in the action.

Adam was a 12-year veteran of the United States Navy, with several tours of duty overseas. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Long before Adam Brown became a member of the elite SEAL Team SIX – the counterterrorism unit that took down Osama bin Laden – there was a fun-loving country boy from Arkansas whose greatest goal had been to wear his high school’s football jersey. An undersized daredevil, prone to jumping off roofs into trees and off bridges into lakes, Adam was a kid who broke his own bones but would never break a promise to his parents … until he grew older, and his family watched that appetite for risk draw him into a downward spiral that eventually landed him in jail.

Adam was a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love and support of his wife. He was a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

Anyone who knew Adam would tell you it was important to him that his legacy be remembered and his story be told. He spent the latter part of his life helping those around him haunted by the mistakes he made years earlier. Adam was an incredibly strong christian who loved the Lord and served him until his last, mortal breath. The majority of the members in his unit perished when the Chinook helicopter transporting them was viciously shot down while on a mission in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, only a few short months after Adam’s death.

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By Brian Earnest

There are plenty of old cars around that seem to defy time and defy the odds. Then there are vehicles like Willie Lenz’s 1970 Ford Bronco Sport that seem to simply defy all logic.

It just doesn’t seem possible that the rugged little Ford has paid its dues as a daily driver, work truck, steel pipe hauler, camping rig, beach comber and deer chaser — basically serving the Lenz clan in every role imaginable — yet still looks so good. It might be a “20-footer” — you can still see the paint chips and age spots when you get up close — but the Bronco looks for all the world like it must have been restored somewhere along the way.

Even though Willie Lenz has been around the Bronco for all of its life, from the moment it rolled off the car carrier at the dealership, even he’s at a bit of a loss when trying to explain how the beautiful Reef Aqua Ford with the Wimbledon White top has managed to remain so nearly perfect.

“That Bronco has been places I was amazed it could get,” says the resident of Grandview, Wash. “We’ve been in some canyons and climbing around in the edges of wheat fields — the places we’ve been would just amaze you, looking at that truck today. It’s never had a dent, never been painted, nothing. It’s 100 percent original, except for a few maintenance things like water pumps and starters.”

For much of its life, the Bronco Sport has hauled various Lenz family members around and through most of the states west of the Mississippi River, from Nebraska to Nevada. The family has camped in it, vacationed in it and, quite often, hunted with it, but somehow the Bronco has managed to avoid the fate that befell so many of its contemporaries that were driven hard and put away wet all their lives. Lenz figures part of it is luck, and part of it is the arid, metal-friendly northern Oregon weather. Mostly though, the credit belongs to Bill Lenz, Willie’s dad and the Bronco’s original owner, who was fanatical about the care and maintenance the Ford got from the first day it arrived.

“Dad is kind of one of those guys who gets something and never lets go of it,” Lenz says. “He had a ’67 Chevelle just as nice that he finally got rid of a few years ago. He’s just very meticulous and he always kept it clean and nice. It was his daily driver for at least the first 10 years. Then he got an El Camino and that was kind of his transition going from the Bronco to a little bit of a pickup.”

The family Bronco may well have been the family Chevrolet Blazer, however, if circumstances had been different. Bill Lenz had his heart set on a Blazer, but he had trouble getting his hands on one. “He wanted to order a Blazer, but at the time GM had been on strike, I guess, and they told him it would be six to eight weeks to get one, I think,” Willie said. “It was only going to take three or four weeks to get a Bronco, so he got the Bronco instead.”

The Bronco was ordered in Reef Aqua blue with the Sport Package, which was the top trim level on the Broncos of the era. That meant it received special emblems, door trim panels, bright work around the windows and lights, an Argent silver painted grille, chrome bumpers and bumper guards and a few other goodies. The senior Lenz also chose the optional 302-cid V-8 for motivation instead of the standard 170-cid six-cylinder. He also went for the optional oil bath air cleaner and a dealer-installed Ford tachometer.

Other standard features on the Bronco Sports included a vinyl full-width seat, fresh air heater and defroster, locking glove compartment, padded instrument panel, sun visors, floor mat, floor-mounted T-bar transfer case control, mono-beam suspension, self-adjusting brakes and three-speed manual transmission. “And he ordered it with the 3.55 gears,” Lenz added. “Everybody was trying to push him into the lower gears, the 4.10s. Those were the choices at the time, but he went with the 3.55 gears.”

The Bronco nameplate had already established a loyal following by the time the 1970 models arrived. The Bronco was first unveiled in 1966 as Ford’s competition to the Jeep CJ and the International Scout in the growing off-road-vehicle category. The four-wheel-drive Bronco was Ford’s debut compact SUV, and its first generation — often referred to as the “early Broncos” — ran from 1966-’77.

Changes from year to year in the “early Broncos” were subtle, and for 1970 there were only a few minor styling tweaks, including new designs for the side marker lamps. In general, though, the Bronco’s shape didn’t change much in the early years. Flat glass, a squarish profile and a simple box-section ladder frame all favored substance and utility over style. The big news for the 1970 model year was the Bronco’s optional new “Traction-Lock” limited-slip rear differential.

With competition coming in two directions from General Motors with both the Blazer and the GMC Jimmy, Bronco production numbers dropped slightly for 1970 to 16,750 wagons and 1,700 for the less-popular Bronco pickups. Those that lived in northern climates frequently rusted away long before they gave out mechanically. Many others were simply driven until they fell apart, leaving today’s collectors and Bronco fans with a shortage of vehicles to fight over.

Willie Lenz received the keys to his father’s Bronco permanently about a year ago. “My dad is [83] now and could not justify keeping it around to drive it only a couple times a year, so he offered it to me for a price I could not refuse,” he says. “I always thought I’d end up with it one way or another.”

It was certainly fitting that senior eventually sold the Bronco Sport to junior, since the son was a big fan of the truck from the beginning. He knew something when he was just 9 years old and Dad was bringing home brochures from the Ford dealer, and he was there with his father when the Bronco arrived on the lot. “We had a ’47 Willys Jeep before the Bronco and I was saddened that we were selling the old Willys,” he recalled. “I couldn’t see the big picture back then. Then I remember the dealer called and said, ‘Your Bronco just showed up,’” and I saw them unloading it off the transport truck. I was ecstatic from that point on.”

Bill Lenz was a machinist and skilled metal craftsman who soon began adding his own clever touches to the Bronco. He fashioned his own winch, which is still hidden behind the front bumper, and designed his own racks that he used to haul everything from metal pipes to deer. He also installed an air-conditioning unit. “He was very creative in his endeavors, I guess you could say,” Willie noted. “I grew up with the man, and he still amazes me. He was very skilled, and very creative. He came up with a lot of amazing things.”

Lenz has been on more weekend adventures than he can recall in the Bronco, and the Ford got dirty plenty of times. It always got a thorough cleaning when it got home, however, and always seemed to dodge trouble, on the road or off.

“Dad is just meticulous,” Lenz said. “There were so many times we’d drive over to Long Beach, which is 220, 230 miles away … and we’d come back and he’d wash that thing, every little nook and cranny. We’d always drive it on the beach and get it all full of sand, and he’d come back and wash ever little crack and crevice.

“We’ve hunted all over in it … and for years we pulled a camper behind it — a little travel trailer. And we’d take off and go into southern Oregon and hang out in the desert and hunt arrowheads. Dad is a real desert dweller. We’ve been down in Nevada … We were all over the place in that thing.”

Lenz said he could only recall one time when the 155,000-mile Bronco let the family down mechanically, although it still managed to get everybody home that time, too. “Dad and I were out in the middle of nowhere in a little desert town and the seals for the starter went out,” he remembered. “We were about 400 miles from home … All the way home, if we had to stop, we’d stop on a hill and to get it running, we’d roll down the hill and pop the clutch.”

The early Broncos have a notoriously loyal fan base and there are plenty of restorers around who are eager to rebuild them. Lenz isn’t one of them, however. He has no plans to do anything to his family Bronco Sport, other than preserve it and keep it as original as he can. “I thought just recently about freshening up the engine, but it runs so good,” he said. “I kid you not, it’s all stock exhaust. It’s just so quiet and so smooth…. The only thing we’ve ever had done to it was a timing chain. It’s the original engine and it’s never been apart. I’ve restored a lot of cars … I did muscle cars for five or six years — I’m a big Mopar muscle car guy … and I did a lot of restored ones, but I like the original ones. I’m a real fanatic and I always want things put back to stock. This one is going to stay the way it is. I have three boys and they’ll be fighting over it some day.”

Ironically, the little truck that refused to die or be driven into the ground is now being treated with kid gloves. Its days of pulling campers and dragging deer home are long gone. It gets driven “probably once a month,” and for only a few miles at a time. And the only way it will be leaving the state is if there is a big car show or Bronco enthusiasts gathering somewhere.

“You see a few of these around, but they’re usually restored ones,” Lenz noted. “I’ve had guys who are restoring them reference this one to see how things were done. Most of the original ones are beaten down so severely. This one is a true survivor … it worries me to drive it now. If somebody blows a stop sign, you know, things happen. It’s only original once. I’m just really careful driving it now.”

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