The Jackie Robinson of automotive design who helped shape the Bronco forever

[DC9atnight]

Today on the Bronco6G forum we are going to argue about 2dr vs 4dr, 2.7 vs 2.3, wheel size, tire size, trim accent colors, ADM and allocation but the one thing we all agree on is that Ford did a great job combining the classic retro look of the early Bronco with a modern off-roader. One of the main people we have to thank for this is McKinley Thompson Jr. who some call the Jackie Robinson of automotive design. In 1953, fresh out of the military, McKinley entered a drawing contest put on by Motor Trend magazine titled, "From Dream to Drawing Board to..." He was one of five winners and earned a scholarship to Art Center College of Design in California and in 1956 was hired by Ford Motor Company. In 1963 he drew the first Bronco. He was not the lead Bronco designer (By that time he had moved on to the Mustang, Thunderbird and GT40 racer) but his early drawings greatly shaped the Broncos most of us are still waiting on. So today on MLK Holiday I suggest we all grab an adult beverage of our choice and I propose a toast to "Mac" Thompson who in 1963, nailed it!

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[Snydermann]

Beautiful 2-door Bronco design. Where is his 4-door design?

Oh, wait, that's right.

 

[PWillette]

Today on the Bronco6G forum we are going to argue about 2dr vs 4dr, 2.7 vs 2.3, wheel size, tire size, trim accent colors, ADM and allocation but the one thing we all agree on is that Ford did a great job combining the classic retro look of the early Bronco with a modern off-roader. One of the main people we have to thank for this is McKinley Thompson Jr. who some call the Jackie Robinson of automotive design. In 1953, fresh out of the military, McKinley entered a drawing contest put on by Motor Trend magazine titled, "From Dream to Drawing Board to..." He was one of five winners and earned a scholarship to Art Center College of Design in California and in 1956 was hired by Ford Motor Company. In 1963 he drew the first Bronco. He was not the lead Bronco designer (By that time he had moved on to the Mustang, Thunderbird and GT40 racer) but his early drawings greatly shaped the Broncos most of us are still waiting on. So today on MLK Holiday I suggest we all grab an adult beverage of our choice and I propose a toast to "Mac" Thompson who in 1963, nailed it!

 

[West1]

Today on the Bronco6G forum we are going to argue about 2dr vs 4dr, 2.7 vs 2.3, wheel size, tire size, trim accent colors, ADM and allocation but the one thing we all agree on is that Ford did a great job combining the classic retro look of the early Bronco with a modern off-roader. One of the main people we have to thank for this is McKinley Thompson Jr. who some call the Jackie Robinson of automotive design. In 1953, fresh out of the military, McKinley entered a drawing contest put on by Motor Trend magazine titled, "From Dream to Drawing Board to..." He was one of five winners and earned a scholarship to Art Center College of Design in California and in 1956 was hired by Ford Motor Company. In 1963 he drew the first Bronco. He was not the lead Bronco designer (By that time he had moved on to the Mustang, Thunderbird and GT40 racer) but his early drawings greatly shaped the Broncos most of us are still waiting on. So today on MLK Holiday I suggest we all grab an adult beverage of our choice and I propose a toast to "Mac" Thompson who in 1963, nailed it!

Thanks for posting this. As a former Wrangler owner turned Bronco owner, it was the retro design that drew me to the Bronco. I appreciate the modern interpretation of Mr. McKinley Thompson's design. I agree that this is one thing Ford got right, (look at the new Chevy Blazer and you realize how well Ford did with the Bronco design).

 

[AZ_BRONC]

Thank you Mr. Thompson!

 

[MJedi209]

To Mac!!! Also thanks to the OP for sharing this wonderful lesson of history.

 

[Cat]

Today on the Bronco6G forum we are going to argue about 2dr vs 4dr, 2.7 vs 2.3, wheel size, tire size, trim accent colors, ADM and allocation but the one thing we all agree on is that Ford did a great job combining the classic retro look of the early Bronco with a modern off-roader. One of the main people we have to thank for this is McKinley Thompson Jr. who some call the Jackie Robinson of automotive design. In 1953, fresh out of the military, McKinley entered a drawing contest put on by Motor Trend magazine titled, "From Dream to Drawing Board to..." He was one of five winners and earned a scholarship to Art Center College of Design in California and in 1956 was hired by Ford Motor Company. In 1963 he drew the first Bronco. He was not the lead Bronco designer (By that time he had moved on to the Mustang, Thunderbird and GT40 racer) but his early drawings greatly shaped the Broncos most of us are still waiting on. So today on MLK Holiday I suggest we all grab an adult beverage of our choice and I propose a toast to "Mac" Thompson who in 1963, nailed it!

Cheers, Mac!! Thnx for posting, @DC9atnight

 

[MOON]

Cool piece of history, thanks for sharing.

 

[Wade Garrett]

Beautiful 2-door Bronco design. Where is his 4-door design?

Oh, wait, that's right.

And we're off....

 

[Dcdds]

Nice post!

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Awesome of you to start this thread @DC9atnight!

Cheers to the man who kicked off this journey and to all he had to overcome to get us here! To the trailblazers everywhere who show us the better path is together.

 

[heynow14]

Thanks for posting this. As a former Wrangler owner turned Bronco owner, it was the retro design that drew me to the Bronco. I appreciate the modern interpretation of Mr. McKinley Thompson's design. I agree that this is one thing Ford got right, (look at the new Chevy Blazer and you realize how well Ford did with the Bronco design).

Mac definitely crushed it with the Bronco. And don't get me started on the new Blazer. As a lifetime Chevy guy, it's downright embarrassing.

 

[P's B]

Very interesting, thank you for the post!

 

[mjohnso3]

Yes I agree , the 66-77 Bronco is legendary . I hope Generation 6 will also be looked back on and appreciated .

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