# OJ and the Bronco - is there any other vehicle that has notoriety in this manner? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 6, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577 "2018-10-06T20:02:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/21 "2018-10-07T00:13:42Z")
The General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. The Mystery van from Scooby doo. Harley in Easy Rider. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/22 "2018-10-07T00:27:38Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. > The Mystery van from Scooby doo. > Harley in Easy Rider. > [@Lamoral](#): > > I’m excluding cars like the DeLorean or the Gran Torino which became part of pop culture because of their deliberate placement in a movie or show. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/23 "2018-10-07T00:39:56Z")
Steve McQueen in Bullitt. [Bullitt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt) Ford still cranks out homages to the classic 1968 Mustang GT. 2001, 2008-2009, and 2019 versions. Dark Highland Green is the iconic color. Yes, the OP excluded movies but this car deserves mention. Movie was boring except for THE CAR CHASE. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/24 "2018-10-07T00:42:01Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Steve McQueen in Bullitt. [Bullitt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt) > > Ford still cranks out homages to the classic 1968 Mustang GT. > > 2001, 2008-2009, and 2019 versions. Dark Highland Green is the iconic color. _sigh_ > [@Lamoral](#): > > I’m excluding cars like the DeLorean or the Gran Torino which became part of pop culture because of their deliberate placement in a movie or show. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/25 "2018-10-07T00:57:06Z")
Yeah, I have to come to the conclusion that there is no equivalent to the Bronco in terms of a specific model of car having the same connotations of notoriety based on connection to a certain event. It was a perfect storm of coincidences: a celebrity being involved in a car chase, which inherently drew immense media coverage; the vehicle having a distinctive name; and belonging to a category of vehicle which was, at the time, rather obscure, (the full-size SUV) so that it stuck in peoples’ minds stronger than a more common vehicle would have. “White Ford Bronco, White Ford Bronco, White Ford Bronco” was repeated endlessly. And that was just at the very beginning of OJ’s criminal coverage - the incident continued to receive attention as the subsequent investigation and trial dragged on, and his vehicle was mentioned again and again. I guess nothing like this ever happened with any other specific model of vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/26 "2018-10-07T01:28:40Z")
In addition to the Ford V-8 being a preferred car of Bonnie and Clyde, it was also a favorite of John Dillinger (he stole a sheriff’s brand new model in one of his escapes). Dillinger might be associated more often with a 1930 Ford model A that he used as a getaway car after the Little Bohemia shootout, but he really liked the V-8 and wrote a fan letter to Henry Ford about it.\* \*one such letter is considered to be a hoax, but another earlier letter from Dillinger to Ford is thought to be the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/27 "2018-10-07T01:30:13Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Stranger Oops. Missed that. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/28 "2018-10-07T01:34:45Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Steve McQueen in Bullitt. [Bullitt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt) > > Ford still cranks out homages to the classic 1968 Mustang GT. > > 2001, 2008-2009, and 2019 versions. Dark Highland Green is the iconic color. > > Yes, the OP excluded movies but this car deserves mention. Movie was boring except for THE CAR CHASE. Of course! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/29 "2018-10-07T01:58:16Z")
There’s John Lennon’s yellow Rolls-Royce, with the psychedelic paint job. But that was a standard Phantom V model, just with a custom paint job. When I see a yellow Ryder rental truck, I just think of 11-foot-eight! Probably indicates I spend way too much time online. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/30 "2018-10-07T02:03:48Z")
A couple of years ago, Toyota Hilux pickup trucks were seen in large numbers being used by ISIS. But that was a short-term association. Nothing really persisted to the extent that Ford Broncos (particularly white ones) were associated with the OJ Simpson chase. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/31 "2018-10-07T02:07:20Z")
Black SUVs always make me think the CIA is investigating something. Or surveillance is happening. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/32 "2018-10-07T02:20:55Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > Yeah, I have to come to the conclusion that there is no equivalent to the Bronco in terms of a specific model of car having the same connotations of notoriety based on connection to a certain event. It was a perfect storm of coincidences: a celebrity being involved in a car chase, which inherently drew immense media coverage; the vehicle having a distinctive name; and belonging to a category of vehicle which was, at the time, rather obscure, (the full-size SUV) so that it stuck in peoples’ minds stronger than a more common vehicle would have. “White Ford Bronco, White Ford Bronco, White Ford Bronco” was repeated endlessly. And that was just at the very beginning of OJ’s criminal coverage - the incident continued to receive attention as the subsequent investigation and trial dragged on, and his vehicle was mentioned again and again. > > I guess nothing like this ever happened with any other specific model of vehicle. Yeah, I see your point now. I wonder if the [new Ford Bronco](https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a31079/new-ford-bronco-ranger-details/) will be offered in white, so that when someone says “I have a White Ford Bronco” there are likely to be OJ references. Here is an article with some of the cars mentioned here: Notorious Crime Cars: (Ford Bronco topping the list): [https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/notorious-crime-cars](https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/notorious-crime-cars) ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/33 "2018-10-07T05:59:40Z")
I’ve been debating whether this meets the OP"s criteria but it would hard to mention Zeppelins or any other sort of airship without thinking about the Hindenburg Disaster. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/34 "2018-10-07T06:21:25Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > I’ve been debating whether this meets the OP"s criteria but it would hard to mention Zeppelins or any other sort of airship without thinking about the Hindenburg Disaster. If we’re going there, then large passenger ships often bring to mind the RMS Titanic. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/35 "2018-10-07T06:58:37Z")
That Buddhist monk who immolated himself in Saigon in 1963? [Photos and info here.](https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/the-burning-monk-1963/) The blue Austin right behind him, the car he arrived at the intersection in, is now on display at the [Thien Mu Pagoda](https://www.insideasiatours.com/blog/2012/12/04/hue-and-the-thien-mu-pagoda/) in Hue, in central Vietnam. The wife and I have seen it. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/36 "2018-10-07T14:31:54Z")
Most people wouldn’t be able to name the make and model, but the bus that [Christopher McCandless](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_McCandless) died in is pretty recognizable. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/37 "2018-10-07T14:56:04Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > I’m excluding cars like the DeLorean or the Gran Torino which became part of pop culture because of their deliberate placement in a movie or show. I was never a fan of the Back to the Future movies. When I see a DeLorean, this is what I think of: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/5046/5356525322_fd17eb7c52_z.jpg "delorean coke-compressed") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/58339400@N06/5356525322) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/38 "2018-10-07T15:29:03Z")
The Spirit of St. Louis, if we’re talking any type of vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/39 "2018-10-07T16:50:17Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577/40 "2018-10-07T17:16:28Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > …the SS-100-X which was a modified Lincoln Continental convertible that President Kennedy was assassinated in, which amazingly remained in service (with many more modifications intended to prevent the same think from happening again) until 1978. … - shudder \* I wonder what the President and his co-passengers felt when they found out. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > That Buddhist monk who immolated himself in Saigon in 1963? [Photos and info here.](https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/the-burning-monk-1963/) The blue Austin right behind him, the car he arrived at the intersection in, is now on display at the [Thien Mu Pagoda](https://www.insideasiatours.com/blog/2012/12/04/hue-and-the-thien-mu-pagoda/) in Hue, in central Vietnam. The wife and I have seen it. Wow. Weird, and understandable (and laudable, historically). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oj-and-the-bronco-is-there-any-other-vehicle-that-has-notoriety-in-this-manner/822577.md?page=3)