$1.8M ‘Massive Oly’ Ford Bronco Flips in Off-Highway Race, Retains Going

Parnelli Jones grew to become one of many greater names on the earth of desert racing, largely for his efforts behind the wheel of his “Massive Oly” Ford Bronco within the Nineteen Seventies. That very same truck continues to be out competing at present, imagine it or not, and with competitors comes threat. Danger grew to become actuality this weekend as “Massive Oly” acquired rolled, as reported by Highway and Monitor.

The classic race truck was competing on this yr’s NORRA Mexican 1000 when it got here to grief. As per video shared by NTR Movies on Instagram, the motive force spun out on high of a small berm at low pace, with the car tumbling down the slope and coming to relaxation on its roof.

Jones’ “Massive Oly” Bronco offered for $1.87 million at public sale final yr, as a part of a sequence of heaps from the racer’s personal assortment. It made “Massive Oly” the most costly Bronco ever offered, although the tube-frame design signifies that it is not precisely a manufacturing facility mannequin. Constructed for desert racing, the truck featured a 400 hp 351 Windsor V8, a beefy suspension for harsh off-road situations, and the enormous aluminium wing above the passenger compartment to help dealing with at pace. Notably, “Massive Oly” is a purely 2WD truck.

With “Massive Oly”, named for sponsor Olympia Beer, Jones took victory within the Baja 1000 in each 1971 and 1972. The truck additionally helped Jones dominate a number of different races within the following years. It is thought of the forebearer of at present’s trendy desert racing vans, with its customized chassis and fiberglass duplicate physique.

Regardless of the crash, injury gave the impression to be minimal. The aluminum wing above the passenger compartment appeared to take the brunt of the hit. Impressively, the incident did not cease the Bronco from persevering with on. As soon as flipped again on its wheels, the motive force was in a position to rejoin the race, avoiding the ache of the NORRA 1000 retirements record.

No person desires to see valuable classic race vehicles broken. They’re beneficial artifacts of historic significance and are sometimes irreplaceable. Nevertheless, a race automobile is a working, transferring factor, and they’re at all times finest appreciated doing what they do finest – tearing up the dust or ripping laps out on observe. That does include a calculated threat, but it surely’s typically worthwhile. Most of the time, sheet steel will be duly repaired and these proud machines can wheel once more.

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