It has long become a common thing for rare production vehicles to become money-makers for smart people who purchase and then flip them for much more. We are used, however, for the flip to happen some time after the vehicle came into existence, because all such wheeled treasure need a bit of time to settle into the public conscience. But that's not what's happening with the Ford Bronco DR we have here.
The DR is a Bronco offshoot that was announced by Ford back in 2021 as a 2023 model year. The thing was described as a "limited production desert racing SUV" that was to become, at the same time, "the most powerful production Bronco ever."
The thing was put together by Ford Performance and Multimatic, and it was based on that year's production version Broncos. Its main reason for being, aside from making Ford some money, was to celebrate the Blue Oval's involvement in the Baja 1000 race, more specifically a win back in 1969 achieved by a stock Bronco of that era driven by Rod Hall and Larry Minor.
The DR officially made its entrance at the 2022 Baja 1000, and the production run was capped at just 50 units. They were unleashed in late 2022 as a 2023 model year, but ever since that time they kind of entered a cone of shadow, meaning we have no info on whether all 50 have already been made or not.
Back when it first introduced the model Ford was talking about a starting price set somewhere in the mid-$200,000 range, not including taxes, title, and registration. Quite steep, for a Bronco (but definitely worth the buy), but not nearly as much as what a DR owner hopes to fetch for the extreme SUV during an upcoming auction.
The particular Bronco DR I'm talking about is described as a 2024 model year, meaning it was only produced a short time ago. Like all others of its breed, it was put together by Multimatic over in Canada, and features all of its family's upgrades.
Photo: Mecum
That means a modified chassis over which fiberglass body panels were fitted. Unlike the original DR, which was presented in the red and black sported by the 1969 example during its historic Baja run, this one comes in in Big Oly livery adorped by a special wrap.
The SUV is competition-ready, and that means it comes complete with the Baja Race package. Inside, that translates into a safety cage, Recaro seats with the proper Sparco racing harness, and a flat-bottom Sparco steering wheel that can be easily detached thanks to a quick-release hub.
The exterior package includes must-have features for desert racing, including an LED roof bar, skid plates, and a set of 17-inch alloy beadlock racing wheels wrapped in 37-inch BF Goodrich competition tires (a complete spare is included).
The Bronco's impressive capabilities are provided by the 5.0-liter Coyote engine sitting under the hood. The thing is capable of cranking out about 400 horsepower, sent to the wheels by means of a dual-range transfer case with two locking differentials (4.7:1 ratio). A ten-speed automatic transmission needs to be on deck to handle all that power.
To make sure the SUV doesn't get stuck in the wild, Ford and its partner fitted this special Bronco with a dual-battery system and a 65-gallon (246 liters) fuel tank. What the desert racer doesn't come fitted with is an air conditioning system, glass, and other interior amenities we normal people take for granted in a car.
All of the above paints the picture of a pretty capable machine, and so do the following numbers: the Bronco DR comes with an approach angle of 47 degrees, a departure angle of 37 degrees, and a breakover angle of 33 degrees.
Photo: Mecum
So, the Bronco DR is quite a compelling package for racing enthusiasts, and the mid-$200,000 manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) didn't look as exaggerated when it was announced. But what do you feel about a DR going for double the MSRP?
This Bronco we have here is listed by auction house Mecum as part of the sale it is holding starting May 10 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The thing is going on a bill of sale, and the minimum the owner hopes to fetch for it is (hold on to your hats) $450,000. The optimistic scenario is even more unbelievable, with the high hopes of the owner putting the sale price of the Bronco at $550,000.
We're not told anything about how much the owner of this DR actually paid for it, and it's also clear the SUV was not used at all since rolling off the assembly lines. That's because the interior shots reveal the vehicle still has the protection wrap on the seats, and its systems have not been configured.
We will of course keep an eye on this 2024 Ford Bronco DR and update when we learn for how much it actually goes for.
Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies. Full profile
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