Big Oly Soars to $1.87m at Mecum Indy

Classic SUVs now have a new high-water mark.

“Big Oly,” the 1969 Ford Bronco that Parnelli Jones drove to victory at the Baja 1000 in 1971 and 1972, has just sold to a new owner at Mecum’s Indianapolis sale. After buyer’s premium, the price was $1,870,000.

It’s important to note that “Big Oly,” so named for its Olympia Beer sponsor, isn’t really a Bronco underneath. Instead, it’s a custom-built racing truck with a tube chassis, fiberglass and aluminum bodywork, and a host of special tech designed specifically for Jones and his partner Bill Stroppe to compete and win across some of the most challenging racing terrain in North America. 

This truck represents what ended up being a huge leap forward in the world of off-road racing, so it was always going to be expensive, and it was offered direct from Parnelli Jones’ personal collection, which made it even more valuable to collectors. 

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Jim Pickering

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