In an unprecedented turn of events, the owners of the infamous white Ford Bronco, which played a pivotal role in the 1994 O.J. Simpson car chase, are looking to cash in on its notorious history.
The vehicle, a symbol of one of the most televised moments in American history, might soon change hands for an amount that could set records for the sale of vehicles with a criminal past.
A Historical Chase
On June 17, 1994, the United States and the world watched in disbelief as former football star O.J. Simpson, involved in a high-stakes murder case, led the police on a slow-speed chase across Los Angeles freeways in a white Ford Bronco. The chase, broadcasted live on television, captivated millions and became a defining moment of the 1990s.
On June 12, 1994, a grim discovery outside Nicole Brown Simpson’s Los Angeles condo catapulted O.J. Simpson into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. His ex-wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found murdered, making O.J. a prime suspect in the heinous crime.
The situation escalated dramatically five days later when Simpson led police on a notorious chase in his white Ford Bronco, captivating an estimated 95 million viewers who watched the event unfold live on television, according to ESPN.
This resulted in his arrest and subsequent trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
Despite the overwhelming attention and public scrutiny, the jury ultimately acquitted O.J., finding him not guilty of the murders.
However, the story didn’t end there; a civil trial in 1997 found him liable for the deaths of Nicole and Ron, resulting in a judgment that required him to pay $33.5 million to the victims’ families.
The Bronco’s Journey
Since that fateful day, the white Bronco has gone through various hands, carefully preserved and mostly kept out of the public eye. Its current owners, who have remained largely anonymous, have now decided to sell this piece of American history.
Given its unique place in cultural lore, the vehicle is expected to attract significant interest from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The notorious car is currently held by Michael Gilbert, Simpson’s ex-agent, along with two friends of original owner Al Cowlings. They had intentions to sell it, as they disclosed to Cllt, a decision made prior to Simpson’s passing from prostate cancer on April 10.
“Before O.J. passed, we had always thought this was going to be the year we were going to sell because it’s the 30th anniversary,” Gilbert said. “Who knows if we are all going to be around for the 35th or the 40th?”
Since 2016, the car has been on loan to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Before that, it was kept in an underground parking garage at The Westford, a luxury condominium complex in Los Angeles, for 17 years.
Experts predict the sale of the vehicle could set a record as the highest amount ever paid for a notorious crime-related vehicle.
The trio of owners disclosed that the highest bid for the 1993 model reached $750,000.
The owners now say they aim for a minimum of $1.5 million in public or private transactions.
O.J. Simpson died on Wednesday, April 10, at the age of 76. His death, announced by his family on social media, was due to cancer.