Famous Rides: O.J. Simpson’s 1993 Ford Bronco

The Crime

Sparing some nasty details, the infamous double homicide of Nicole Brown-Simpson, the ex-wife of former NFL running back O.J. Simpson, and Ron Goldman, a friend, server, and aspiring actor, took place at the Simpson residence on June 12, 1994, in Brentwood, California. 

That evening, dog walkers stumbled across the bodies in the courtyard of Brown-Simpson’s condominium, having both been murdered via a long, serrated knife. The police were called to the scene and discovered droplets of O.J. Simpson’s blood in the courtyard and a trail leading away from the scene to where his Ford Bronco would have been parked.

At the former NFL star’s home, police found the victims’ blood on the door handle and inside Simpson’s white Ford Bronco and a trail of blood leading into Simpon’s home. The victims’ blood was also found on Simpson’s socks, as well as on a bloody glove located behind his Rockingham Estates home.

The Police Chase

As the primary suspect in the double homicide, the LAPD issued a warrant for Simpson’s arrest in the following days. However, after being tipped off of the impending arrest, Simpson solicited the help of his friend and ex-teammate, Al Cowlings, to flee the police. The two loaded into Cowlings Bronco, a white 1993 model identical to Simpson’s, along with a disguise and a loaded handgun. 

Around 6 pm, Highway Patrol officers began their pursuit of Simpson and Cowlings, resulting in a 90-minute low-speed chase averaging approximately 35 mph. Cowlings traveled along the California 405 Freeway, Artesia Freeway, and San Diego Freeway while attempting to reason with Simpson, who repeatedly threatened suicide while on the phone with LAPD detective Tom Lange. 

After an arduous 90 minutes, the two returned to Simpson’s Brentwood home, where both men were taken into custody.

The Trial

After his arrest, Simpon pled not guilty to the murders of Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ron Goldman. With renowned trial lawyer Johnnie Cochran by his side, Simpson defied all odds (and mountains of DNA evidence), receiving a not-guilty verdict from the exhausted jury. 

O.J. Simpson was acquitted of both murders on October 3, 1995, causing widespread hysteria, protesting, and a notable period of unrest for the public. The trial was such a cultural phenomenon that it sparked the production of several documentaries and a season of the Netflix crime series American Crime Story, entitled The People v. O.J. Simpson.

The Getaway Vehicle: 1993 Ford Bronco

While most believe the Ford Bronco used in the infamous police chase to be O.J. Simpson’s vehicle, that’s not the case. O.J. Simpson’s Bronco had been confiscated as evidence in the murders—however, Simpson’s longtime friend, Al Cowlings, had recently purchased an identical Ford SUV. 

The Oxford White 1993 Ford Bronco, wearing XLT trimmings, was an iconic vehicle even before the chase. Its polished factory alloy wheels, chrome bumpers and fascia, and Granite interior are timeless, especially when paired with the Aeronose generation’s unbeatable styling.

Where Is It Now?

After the chase, three men purchased the Bronco, including Simpon’s former sports agent, Mike Gilbert, Michael Pulwer, and an anonymous third party. After that, the Bronco seemingly vanished from the public eye. Unbeknownst to the public, the Bronco was hidden in plain sight in a parking garage at Pulwer’s condominium complex. 

After attempting to sell the vehicle on the hit show Pawn Stars, the Bronco was loaned to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where it remains on display today.

Build Your Own Replica of the O.J. Bronco

So, if you’re as infatuated with the case as the world was in the mid-nineties, you’ve likely dreamed about owning your own 5th-generation Ford Bronco. If you’re curious about what it would take to build a replica of the Bronco used in the infamous police chase, stay tuned as we point out the key traits to look for when purchasing and building a replica.

Platform

When looking for a platform to build on, you have many years to choose from. While Al Cowlings’ personal Bronco is a 1993 model with XLT trimmings, all 1992–1996 Ford Broncos are virtually identical with minor differences, like interior shades and slight engine upgrades. For instance, the 1994 Bronco's interior was changed from granite gray to light opal, and the 1995 Bronco's 5.0 and 5.8 V8 engines were upgraded to MAF (mass air flow) and roller rockers.

Body, Interior, and Color

While 1992–1996 Broncos are similar, Al’s particular Bronco features an Oxford White body with a Granite interior—a color combination specific to 1992–1993 Broncos. Would anyone else, aside from yourself, know the difference between interior hues and rocker assemblies? Likely not. However, we’d opt for a 1992–1993 Bronco XLT for the purest possible replica.

Wheels and Tires

Lastly, Al’s Bronco sits on factory suspension and factory alloy wheels, offered from 1992–1993. These particular wheels were optional equipment on XLT Broncos and feature a lustrous polished finish, ten holes, a bolt-on center cap, and rivets around the face. 

These wheels aren’t to be mistaken for the 1994–1996 wheels, which were manufactured by Alcoa and feature a smooth, rivetless face. If your Bronco is missing its factory wheels, consider opting for a similarly styled wheel from American Racing—the AR62 Outlaw II. Wrap these wheels in factory-sized 235/75R15 tires for a period-correct appearance.

If you follow these specifications, you’ll have a spot-on replica of the Ford Bronco used in O.J. Simpson’s police chase—just don’t try to recreate the famous highway shots. 

As always, we offer all the parts and know-how to piece together this build and countless others at RealTruck®. For additional information, check out the rest of our articles on RealSource, and don’t hesitate to contact the experts.