Ford dials back to 1970s with striped Bronco Sport Free Wheeling edition

Ford Motor Co. is turning the clock back to the 1970s for inspiration with the latest iteration of the Bronco Sport crossover.

The company said Tuesday the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport will be available in a Free Wheeling special edition and new Black Appearance package.

When it debuted in the 1970s on the F-100, F-150 and Bronco, the Free Wheeling trims targeted younger consumers with distinctive red, orange, yellow and silver stripe kits. The 2024 Bronco Sport Free Wheeling special edition features the same four-color stripes on the hood, body sides and seat inserts.

The special edition features include new 17-inch high-gloss black wheels, a new grille finish and a modified lower front-end insert.

The Black Appearance Package is a new option for 2024 Bronco Sport Big Bend models. It features dark graphics and badging, inspired by remote dark sky locations.

U.S. sales of the Bronco Sport have totaled nearly 276,000 since it went on sale in late 2020.

Azure Gray and Desert Sand paint will also come to the Bronco Sports color palette for 2024.

Pricing for Free Wheeling Special Edition starts at $35,325, including the destination fee of $1,595. Both the Free Wheeling and Black Appearance Package will be available when order banks open. The Free Wheeling Special Edition is based on the Big Bend trim, according to a Ford representative.

"Bronco customers appreciate its heritage," said Jason Hyde, marketing manager for the Bronco Sport. "After such a great response to the reimagined Bronco Sport Free Wheeling Project vehicle in 2021, we decided to bring this special edition that ties Bronco Sport to its fun-loving roots."