Did Ford discontinue the Bronco for OJ Simpson?
No. Ford did not end the Bronco’s production because of O.J. Simpson’s 1994 police chase. The original Bronco line concluded in 1996 for business and market reasons, and Ford later revived the name in 2021 with a new generation. The chase remains a cultural moment, not the cause of the model’s retirement.
The question has persisted in pop culture lore for decades. This article examines the Bronco’s production history, the 1994 incident, and the business context behind the decision to discontinue the line—and why the name was later brought back.
Bronco production timeline: key milestones
Below is a concise timeline of the Bronco’s original run, its closure in the mid-1990s, and the later revival of the name.
Scope of the timeline
The list highlights when the Bronco began, when the original production ended, and when Ford reintroduced the name decades later.
- 1966: Ford launches the Bronco as a compact, body-on-frame SUV designed for light off-road use.
- 1996: Ford ends production of the original Bronco after about 30 years on the market.
- 2021: Ford reintroduces the Bronco as a modern, off-road-focused SUV, reviving the name for a new generation.
These milestones show a clear arc: a long-running model ends in 1996, and the Bronco name returns in 2021 with an all-new design.
The OJ Simpson chase and the myth
Context about the 1994 event and the rumor that it forced a model’s discontinuation.
Why the association persists
The 1994 pursuit became a defining television moment, but no credible evidence ties that event to Ford’s 1996 decision to discontinue the Bronco. The end of the original Bronco lineup was driven by market dynamics and Ford’s broader SUV strategy at the time, not a single incident on an L.A. freeway.
- June 17, 1994: O.J. Simpson’s white Ford Bronco is involved in a televised police pursuit in Southern California; the car used was a 1994 Bronco SUV.
- The chase was one of the most-w watched TV moments of the era, embedding the Bronco in popular culture.
- There is no documented link showing Ford used that event as a reason to end Bronco production in 1996; the decision aligned with broader market trends and product planning.
The persistence of the myth reflects how closely the vehicle and the chase are tied in public memory, even though the timing points to distinct, unrelated factors.
Summary
In short, Ford did not discontinue the Bronco because of O.J. Simpson’s 1994 chase. The original Bronco ended in the mid-1990s due to sales and strategic decisions within Ford’s SUV lineup, and the nameplate was revived in 2021 with a new generation designed for modern off-roading. The chase remains a cultural touchstone, but it did not cause the model’s retirement.
Does OJ still have his Bronco?
No, O.J. Simpson does not have his white Bronco. The infamous vehicle from the 1994 police chase is now on display at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
- The Bronco originally belonged to Simpson's friend, Al Cowlings, and was not Simpson's personal vehicle.
- After the chase, the Bronco passed through several owners and was eventually acquired by the museum, where it has been since its opening in 2016.
- It is now a popular attraction, displayed alongside other items related to high-profile crimes.
Did they discontinue the Ford Bronco for OJ Simpson?
Ford Motor Co.
discontinued the Bronco in 1996 before reviving it in 2020. The automaker accidentally scheduled the new Bronco's unveiling on Simpson's 73rd birthday before discovering the coincidence and postponing the event by a few days.
What happened to OJ Ford Bronco?
The white Ford Bronco from the 1994 O.J. Simpson chase is now on display at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. After the police seized it for evidence, the Bronco was eventually bought by Simpson's former agent, who later loaned it to the museum in 2016. It remains a popular exhibit, alongside other notorious vehicles like Ted Bundy's VW Beetle and John Dillinger's car.
- Initial seizure and ownership: The Bronco was owned by Al Cowlings, Simpson's friend, not Simpson himself, and was seized by police as part of the murder investigation.
- Transition to museum: After years in storage, the Bronco passed through several owners, including Simpson's former agent, Mike Gilbert. Gilbert eventually loaned it to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in 2016.
- Current status: The Bronco is a permanent exhibit at the museum, where it is displayed in a gallery with other famous crime-related vehicles.
Who owns OJ Simpson's Bronco now?
The white Ford Bronco from the 1994 police chase is owned by O.J. Simpson's former agent, Mike Gilbert, and two of his associates. The vehicle is not Simpson's and was driven by his friend, Al Cowlings, during the chase.
- Current owners: Mike Gilbert and two associates own the Bronco.
- Original owner: The Bronco was originally owned by Al Cowlings, a friend of Simpson who was driving during the chase.
- How they acquired it: Gilbert and his partners bought the vehicle from Cowlings sometime after the 1994 chase.
- Current location: The Bronco is currently on loan to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
