Ford Bronco Racer Bill Stroppe Inducted Into 2025 Motorsports HOF

March 13, 2025 10:41 am

Bill Stroppe is a proper legend in the world of motorsports, having participated in everything from road racing to drag racing, rallying, stock car racing, the Pikes Peak International Hill Cimb, and more since he arrived on the scene in the 1960s. However, Stroppe truly rose to fame when The Blue Oval sent him a couple of then-new 1965 Ford Bronco models for evaluation, which led to some truly historic off-road racing victories and positive press for the rugged SUV. Now, appropriately, Bill Stroppe is part of the 2025 Motorsports Hall of Fame class.

Bill Stroppe didn’t receive much formal training as an engineer, but wound up proving to be one of the most inventive minds in the business for many years. His association with Ford actually began after he piloted a Flathead-powered boat to a win at the 1947 Henry Ford Memorial Regatta, after which he achieved a podium sweep in Lincolns at the 1952 and 1953 Carreras Panamericana. Stroppe Mercurys won a variety of NASCAR races in the ’60s, the 1963 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, and secured a 1964 USAC title, too.

From there, Bill Stroppe really got into the world of off-road racing with various Ford Bronco models, setting records and winning consecutive Baja 1000 races in 1971-1972 after securing his first there in 1969. With the likes of Larry Minor, Rod Hall, James Garner, and Walker Evans behind the wheel, Stroppe enjoyed tremendous success in that regard, and was inducted into the inaugural Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame class in 1978. Now, the legend – who is being honored with the new-for-2025 Bronco Stroppe Edition – is joining the ranks of the very best in the overall Motorsports Hall of Fame, too.

Bill Stroppe revolutionized off-road racing. What he did with the @Ford Bronco established a motorsport foundation we’re still building upon decades later! This week we celebrated his well-deserved induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame. I’m so thankful for his contributions… pic.twitter.com/eUHpx87eQv

— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) March 12, 2025

“Bill Stroppe revolutionized off-road racing,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley. “What he did with the Bronco established a motorsport foundation we’re still building upon decades later! This week we celebrated his well-deserved induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame. I’m so thankful for his contributions to our industry. Our sport and the Bronco wouldn’t be what it is today without Bill!”

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.