Experience the Astonishing Makeover of a 1968 Ford Bronco by Jay Leno

The 1968 Ford Bronco is an iconic American vehicle that has remained a popular choice among car enthusiasts for decades. Recently, the legendary late-night show host Jay Leno teamed up with a team of automotive experts from SEMA to restore and modify a 1968 Ford Bronco. The result of their efforts was a stunning transformation that has left many people in awe

Jay Leno’s Automotive Adventures

Jay Leno is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television host. He is also a renowned automobile enthusiast and has a massive collection of classic and rare vehicles.

Leno’s automotive interest started when he was a child, and he would spend hours looking at cars and reading about them. He worked many odd jobs to save money to buy his first car, a 1934 Ford Pickup, which he still owns to this day.

Over the years, Leno has collected hundreds of cars and motorcycles, including classic and modern cars, race cars, and even steam-powered vehicles. He has a particular interest in classic cars and has restored many of them himself.

Leno has also hosted several automotive shows, including “Jay Leno’s Garage,” which began as a YouTube series and later became a television show on CNBC. In the show, Leno shares his automotive knowledge and showcases some of the rarest and most unique vehicles in his collection.

Apart from his love for cars, Leno is also an advocate for green energy and has several environmentally friendly vehicles in his collection, such as the Tesla Model S and the Chevrolet Volt.

Tracing the Roots of the 1968 Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco was first introduced in 1965 as a response to the growing popularity of the Jeep CJ and International Harvester Scout in the off-road market. The Bronco was designed as a compact SUV with a focus on ruggedness and off-road capabilities. The first-generation Bronco was produced from 1966 to 1977 and was available in three body styles: wagon, pickup, and roadster. It was originally offered with a 170-cubic-inch inline-six engine or a 289-cubic-inch V8 engine. The Bronco was designed to be versatile and could be customized to fit the needs of its owner, with options including power steering, power brakes, and an automatic transmission.

The 1968 Ford Bronco was part of the first generation of Bronco production and featured some updates from the original 1966 model. These updates included a new front axle and the option of a 302-cubic-inch V8 engine. The 1968 model was available in three body styles: wagon, half-cab pickup, and roadster. The Bronco continued to gain popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s and has since become an iconic vehicle in American automotive history.

Unveiling the Restoration: SEMA Experts at Work

The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is a trade association consisting of companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell automotive parts, tools, and accessories. The association is known for its annual SEMA Show, which is the largest trade show for the automotive aftermarket industry.

In 2019, Jay Leno teamed up with Ford and SEMA to restore a 1968 Ford Bronco to its former glory. The restoration process involved a team of experts who spent over 1,500 hours bringing the Bronco back to life.

The restoration included upgrades such as a new Ford Coyote V8 engine with 426 horsepower, a four-link suspension system, Wilwood disc brakes, and a custom exhaust system. The exterior was given a fresh coat of Velocity Blue paint, and the interior was fitted with custom leather seats, a modern sound system, and a vintage-style dashboard.

The restoration was unveiled at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and received a lot of attention from car enthusiasts. The Bronco was auctioned off for charity, raising over $650,000 for the United Way Worldwide and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.