November 2020
CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY BRANCH of the VINTAGE CAR CLUB of NZ (Inc) Lamb Country Branch Email: centralhawkesbay@vcc.org.nz
POSTAL ADDRESS
CHB Branch of the Vintage Car Club (Inc) c/-18 Wilder Street, Waipukurau. 4200
Club Nights—7.30pm 3rd Wednesday of every Month
McKinley Thompson and the 1966 Ford Bronco —By Robert Tate—Automotive Historian and Researcher McKinley Thompson, was the First African American Auto Designer, and the 1966 Ford Bronco. McKinley Thompson Jr was born on November 8, 1922 in New York City. After receiving his Bachelor of Professional Arts degree in industrial design in 1956 from the Art Centre College of Design in Los Angeles, he joined the Ford Motor Company’s design staff. He was hired by Alex Tremulis, who designed the famous Tucker automobile before moving to Ford.
McKinley Thompson working at Ford, 1950s
Pencil drawing of the original Ford Bronco design
At Ford, Thompson worked as a designer and later a senior designer in the car, truck and tractor design studios. Later, his great talent landed him a management position. His hard work and determination created a style and enabled him to become the first African American designer to create many iconic vehicles that Americans would thoroughly enjoy. One of the most iconic vehicles designed by Thompson was the Ford Bronco, originally manufactured during the 1960s. The model was introduced to the public with great publicity and particularly good advertising in August 1965. The first Ford Bronco was a fourwheel-drive utility vehicle that was manufactured in roadster, sport utility and wagon models. One of the most popular body styles for the Bronco was the wagon series, which came equipped with a longer removable top than the sport utility model. It also incorporated side windows and a lift gate. Many consumers thoroughly enjoyed the Bronco styling.