1966 Bronco Dune Duster: Strangely Wonderful

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1966 Ford Bronco Dune Duster Concept: Strangely Amazing

The 1966 Ford Bronco Dune Duster concept is possibly one of the coolest concept cars ever.

Bronco Dune Duster Publicity Release 1965-11-18

So Much! Where Do I Even Look?

Everything about the Bronco Dune Duster was unique. From the NHRA-Approved roll bar, to the exposed exhaust pipes (no, those aren't nerf steps), this Bronco was as custom as they come.

A special, customized version of Ford Division's 1966 Bronco, the Dune Duster, will be displayed at the Detroit Auto Show from November 27 through December 5. The utility/sports-type vehicle was designed in Ford's Styling Center in Dearborn and built by Parris Kustom in North Hollywood, California. Exterior paint is a specially formulated Golden Saddle Pearl and modifications include an NHRA-approved roll bar with integral headrests, a windshield designed to complement the contour of the roll bar, walnut appliques on the rear side panels and exposed chrome exhaust pipes. Custom interior appointments include a walnut steering wheel and front bucket seats with russet suede bolsters and perforated leather cushions and seatbacks. The instrument panel is trimmed with suede padding and outfitted with walnut-trimmed control knobs. Jump seats have been added to the rear compartment over the wheels and a tonneau cover for rear compartment protection was added for attachment with quick-fastening snaps.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608

Bronco Dune Duster Interior Publicity Release 1965-11-18

Even More to See Inside

As if our eyes haven't had enough with the exterior of this custom Ford Bronco, the interior just continues the barrage of custom, one-off designs.

A special, customized version of Ford Division's 1966 Bronco, the Dune Duster, will be displayed at the Detroit Auto Show at Cobo Hall from November 27 through December 5. The utility/sports-type vehicle's interior appointments include a walnut steering wheel, front bucket seats with russet suede bolsters and perforated leather cushions and seatbacks. The instrument panel is trimmed with suede padding and is outfitted with walnut-trimmed control knobs. Beige loop carpeting covers the floor of both front and rear compartments and narrow walnut strips divide the carpet in the rear to facilitate loading and unloading. Both the front seats and rear jump seats are equipped with deluxe push-button seat belts.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560

1966 Bronco Dune Duster Concept

Of Course It's Safe. Seat Belts, See!

What could possibly go wrong here? Those seat belts will definitely, maybe, probably hold her in safely.

Oh how we long for the days when trivial things like roadworthiness took a back seat to the more important ideals of car design, like 'Does it look cool?" and 'How much chrome can we put on this?' It was the golden era of automotive design, when safety was just a word in the dictionary and not something you'd actually consider when buying a car. Back then, a vehicle's worth was measured not by its crumple zones or the number of airbags, but by the sheer audacity of its tailfins and the blinding gleam of its chrome trim. Who cared if the brakes were more suggestion than actual stopping power? As long as it turned heads on Main Street, that was the real measure of excellence. Seat belts? Optional. Power steering? A luxury for the weak. It was a time when the roar of an engine was directly proportional to the size of one's ego and the only 'crash test' was whether or not you could drive it straight home from the dealership without a mishap. Truly, a more enlightened age of automotive bliss.

1966 Bronco Dune Duster

About that NHRA-Approved Roll Bar

Probably the most iconic part on the 1966 Bronco Dune Duster, the 'NHRA-Approved' roll bar featured some headrests that made it look like it was a design pulled right out of The Jetson's. (That's an old cartoon about a family living in space for those of you younger than 40).

Indeed, the NHRA's seal of approval on the roll bar must have come with some fine print that everyone conveniently forgot to read. After all, in the glossy world of publicity stunts, who needs to adhere to the mundane confines of safety regulations? The brochure pictures, with models perched atop these roll bars like birds on a wire, must have left the safety inspectors scratching their heads in bewilderment. It's as if the car manufacturers were saying, "Sure, the roll bar will save your life, but only if you use it as an unconventional throne while the car is perfectly still and not, you know, rolling."