OJ Simpson’s infamous Ford Bronco which made history in car chase was locked away for YEARS… until shock TV appearance
O.J Simpson’s infamous Ford Bronco car chase broke TV history – here’s everything you need to know about the iconic motor.
The thrilling pursuit in 1994 sent shock waves across the U.S, as the first-ever televised slow-speed car chase.
O.J. “The Juice” Simpson was wanted by cops after failing to show up to an interrogation after the high-profile murder of his wife Nicole Brown.
Her friend Ronald Goldman was also killed in the attack, and the court case would later be dubbed the “trial of the century”.
In a 2 pm news conference, on June 17, the Los Angeles Police Department declared that Simpson was a fugitive.
He hit the road with pal Al Cowlings behind the wheel of the 1993 white Ford Bronco, while he remained in the backseat.
It wasn’t actually Simpson’s car, but the exact same model as his which was left at home covered in blood at the crime scene.
More than 20 police cruisers chased Simpson from Orange County to his home in Brentwood, while anxious civilians watched on their edge of their seat for two hours during the 60 mile pursuit.
The nail-biting scenes were broadcast on every major news outlet in America and watched by nearly 95 million viewers, making it the highest-rated basic cable event of that year.
Even the NBA Finals were chopped to air the slow-speed chase
Authorities shut off traffic from Disneyland to Los Angeles, as some motorists stopped to wave signs which read, “Go OJ!”
When Simpson entered his home, the cops allowed him to call his mum before cuffing and charging him with two counts of first-degree murder.
After a chase that gripped the nation, the Ford Bronco became an iconic motor.
Simpson was actually a spokesperson for Ford at the time.
The vehicle involved in the historic chase is still around today after being shrouded in secrecy for years given the nature of Simpson’s case.
For a long time there were no willing buyers, other than one offer for around £60,000 shortly after the high-speed pursuit.
However, it was discovered the company interested, Starifacts, were actually planning to use the Bronco for tour including re-tracing the chase and stopping at Nicole’s grave.
In the end, Simpson’s former agent Mike Gilbert matched the £60,000 offer and put the motor in storage.
After maintaining the infamous vehicle until 2012, Mr Gilbert added it to a sports memorabilia display outside the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.
It then went to ground again for five years until it went back on the market.
Mr Gilbert put it on the TV show Pawn Stars to attract attention.
The latest known whereabouts, as of 2022, was at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Tennessee.
It was held side by side with serial killer Ted Bundy’s Bug and gangster John Dillinger’s getaway vehicle.
Mr Gilbert is still the official owner as is reported to still have the petrol left over from the chase, and the tyres.
‘TRIAL OF THE CENTURY’
Simpson’s controversial double murder trial began on January 24, 1995, and was dominated by media coverage until the verdict’s end.
Dozens of news outlets and reporters descended into Los Angeles to cover the trial of the beloved star athlete turned accused criminal.
The trial, which was broadcast live around the world on major news channels, was eventually dubbed the “trial of the century.”
OJ Simpson assembled a legal powerhouse for his defense that consisted of lawyers Robert Blasier, Shawn Chapman Holley, Robert Shapiro, Alan Dershowitz, Robert Kardashian, and lead attorney Johnnie Cochran.
It comes as news of OJ Simpson’s death, aged 76, after battling cancer was confirmed today.
The family said he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren in Las Vegas when he died.
OJ Simpson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February.