This former gag gift has been meticulously restored and is powered by the aluminum 5.2-liter V8 found in the all-new 2020 Shelby GT500.
Those in the automotive industry know that the SEMA show in Las Vegas features the best custom builds, hottest aftermarket products, and all kinds of automotive-related goodness. Many people who built custom rides for the SEMA show usually start the process over again with another project for next year's show as soon as they get back home. Rinse, lather, repeat. It is only fitting that Jay Leno's 1968 Bronco restomod would be on display.
What started off as a gag gift for Jay Leno on the night before his last taping is now on display at this year's SEMA show. The '68 Ford Bronco was a joke by another late-night television host, Craig Ferguson, and had it parked in Leno's spot. But what Ferguson didn't realize was that this Bronco was a highly desired model, something that would never get past Jay Leno being the knowledgable car collector that he is. The Bronco has been sitting in his garage ever since until recently. Jay Leno teamed up with Ford Performance and SEMA Garage to restore the Bronco for this year's SEMA show. Well-known Bronco licensee, Kincer Chassis, was sought by Ford Performance to help with the process, and he built the chassis, and installed the powertrain and engine.
Powering this old Ford is a Ford Performance aluminum supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine found in the all-new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500, a car that holds the current title of most-powerful street-legal Ford ever produced. Backing up the potent powerplant is a TR-4050 5-speed Silver Sport transmission by TREMEC along with a Quickdraw bellhousing and STX shifter assembly. Even more, this Bronco was given a heavy-duty 4x4 drivetrain. Vibrant Performance exhaust components and Borla mufflers offer a rumbly soundtrack that plays along with the potent V8 engine. Wilwood disc brakes and master cylinders help bring everything to a stop.
Body panels were provided by Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration, and the new sheetmetal was attached to the body by LGE-CTS, an award-winning shop owned by women. The shop even finished the final assembly and gave the Bronco its shiny new paint job in custom "Tonight Blue" by PPG Industries. Technical mastery in the form of 3D printing and calibration work was provided by SEMA Garage.
This Bronco is full of custom parts that haven't been listed, but go ahead and check out the build on an upcoming episode of Jay Leno's Garage if you're not at the SEMA show to check this out in person. Even more, visit Jay Leno's Garage on YouTube for even more.
Source: Ford Performance
