FORD

Bronco Pope Francis Center First Edition sold at auction for a whopping $500,000

The Ford Motor Company and the Pope Francis Center for the Homeless of Detroit auctioned off a one-of-a-kind Ford Bronco that pays homage to the original 1966 Ford Bronco at Barrett-Jackson's annual auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Thursday, March 27th. January.

Proceeds from the sale of the Ford Bronco Pope Francis Center First Edition went entirely to the homeless center in Detroit and its fight against homelessness. The center, which has been in existence for more than three decades serving and helping the city's most vulnerable citizens, has committed to eradicating Detroit's chronic homelessness by the year 2030.

“It's an honor to be able to help a great charitable organization like the Pope Francis Center,” said Steve Gilmore, lead designer, Ford Vehicle Personalization. “Father Timothy McCabe and the team at the Center were really instrumental in this project, collaborating on thematic ideas and colors. The key was finding those special touches that spoke to the '66 Ford Bronco heritage, and then pairing them with some of the modern features in a Ford Bronco First Edition.”

The Ford Motor Company Fund, which works closely with the Pope Francis Center on annual programming, helped bring this unique vehicle to an auction. The four-door Ford Bronco was donated by David Fischer Jr, President and CEO of The Suburban Collection Holdings, LLC.

The custom build features classic Wimbledon White exterior paint, a famous color that appeared on the 1966 Ford Bronco and is no longer available on this vehicle's current lineup. Detroit Steel Wheels' custom Wimbledon White finish wheels have a Rapid Red stripe on the rim that matches the stripes on the sides of the body and the corners of the hood. Iconic silver-painted elements, the one-piece grille and Ford Performance modular high-strength metal front bumper top add to the signature legacy-inspired look.

For added contrast, a unique set of reflective Ford Bronco First Edition graphics in Rapid Red positions the Pope Francis Center name next to the First Edition, on the hood and side of the vehicle. This custom version is equipped with accessories from Ford Performance Parts, including a roof light bar, Rigid side lights and downlights, as well as tubular doors from Genuine Ford Accessories. Other accessories include an in-vehicle safe, a rear door mounted MOLLE webbing system, a full vehicle cover and storage pockets for the tubular doors.

Inside, this Ford Bronco features an instrument panel in Wimbledon White with ventilation details, as well as grab handles and the Ford Bronco branding in red. The seats and door panel moldings have been styled with white vinyl that contrasts and blends in with the black outline of the seats and interior moldings.

The first edition of the Ford Bronco Pope Francis Center went up for auction last Thursday, the 27th, and sold for a spectacular price of $500,000.

Autonews