How many 66-77 EB specific sponsored events remain?

[crab]

Hey guys/gals. I’m checking in to see how the 6th Gen market is affecting other 66-77 clubs around the country. I’ve been an active member of a few clubs here on the Oregon Coast over the years, but most have withered away with time. We started an event over 25 years ago in my hometown of Pacific City called the SOB event which brought in over 300 early broncos. We managed to keep this event going for over 25 years though had to relocate to Florence, Oregon several years ago due to the numbers and impact on the community. We’ve maintained 250-300 EB’s consistently from around the US with a very successful event. In 2021, the event was quietly opened to all year broncos with the release of the 6th gen. My guess is they’re trying to put their name on the map as the largest bronco gathering in the world with the plan to branch off into smaller generational clubs as it grows. This was the 3rd year of an “all bronco event and really only the second event since the 6th Gens have been open to the public and sales increase (there are currently 800k G6 and Bronco sports in less than 4 years of production with roughly 200k more of each model predicted each year). I’m afraid that if we leave this event open, we’re going to quickly wear out our welcome in the small coastal town. It’s doable with 310 broncos as we had this year, but I could easily see 500+ broncos with in a couple years as the word gets out. According to one of our more active members and admin on our local site, it’s impossible to put on an exclusive 66-77 event with a majority of the sponsors catering more to the 6G’s and that he couldn’t find one club that holds an exclusive 66-77 event anywhere. Are you guys/gals finding this to be true in your area or do I need to pursue contacting vendors with support of other 66-77 owners in favor to keep the EB events alive? Now that the 6G crowd has a taste of the event, they have been very vocal about keeping it open to all years which could outnumber those of us that want to see it go back to an exclusive event. Another member is confident that increased sales won’t effect/increase the number of people that attend which I’m having a hard time grasping, but if that is the case, we should be able to coexist. I’ve contacted a couple clubs and asked these same questions and appreciate all the feedback

Let me know your thoughts and if I’m wrong by supporting those that want to keep this an Early Bronco event

 

[dmoses42]

If you want it to remain exclusive to older Broncos, rebrand it as an "Antique Bronco Only" event. That would limit it to 66-96 for the next 20 years or so. Just a thought, especially if you don't want to wear out your welcome with the locals, if it is that small of an area. Or try to find a larger venue that would accomodate all eras.

 

[NGABronco]

HaHa!!! crab, you're one of us old farts that love EB's!!!
Super Celebration East last year did an impromptu "Throwback" Show for us old farts (66-96), the weekend before SC.
Now they're advertising a "Throwback Weekend" (66-96) in Sept. 2025. with the Super Celebration in April "Open to all"???
Hey it's follow the money, there's a ton of vendors for the G6 rigs and there's tons being spent on them!!! Vendors can't afford to support and attend all these events!!!
I can't blame anyone...hell it's a business for a lot of folks!!!
I went to the "Throwback" event and didn't take a Bronco for the first time in 16 years!!! Went to see my friends!!!
I think y'all should have (66-96) Event, and let someone else do a G6 Event!!!
Good luck with whatever y'all do!!!

 

[crab]

If you want it to remain exclusive to older Broncos, rebrand it as an "Antique Bronco Only" event. That would limit it to 66-96 for the next 20 years or so. Just a thought, especially if you don't want to wear out your welcome with the locals, if it is that small of an area. Or try to find a larger venue that would accomodate all eras.

Great idea!

 

[House]

Funny, even though I have a ‘21 First Edition in the garage I wouldn’t consider taking it to a car show…
Probably a super unpopular opinion, but if I had a vote I would even vote 66-77 only. Sorry 78-96 guys!

 

[dmoses42]

Well, I'm sure a lot of people who have the new generation of Broncos doctor them up and make them more capable than they came from the factory, just like we did with our 4x4 rides of all makes and models back in the day, and want to show them off. I don't blame them. But our EBs are forever unique, the best survivors of all the "little 4x4s" of the era. Scouts/Scout IIs have their followings and events. Blazers were always big, until the S10 Blazer. Land Rovers and FJ40s have their own groups, and shows. But Ford was the only one to bring one of theirs back from the dead, as a true 4x4 with the 6th generation. Jeeps have always been around, and have their own shows, so they will always have a following. All these new ones who want to really wheel are at a disadvantage compared to us with our EBs. We can go out with a box of spare parts and a tool box, and some ingenuity, and make it back home. Too much can go wrong with these new vehicles to do that. Just like my 3 on the tree is an anti theft device. But I digress, they deserve to be able to show off their rides. We all did, wanted to show off what we'd done to our rides. Gave us pride, same for them. But if a show was borne of one generation of Broncos, and they want to keep it to that one generation, they should be able to keep it that way. Just my opinion.

 

[JB Fab]

We'll be here to support the EB to OBS crowd whichever direction it go's!