How O.J. Simpson burned the Ford Bronco into America's collective memory
The Ford Bronco initially was conceived and designed for rugged outdoorsy types, a two-door means of escape to nature from the bustling cities of mid-century America.
But it had already been tamed and polished for suburbanites, with cruise control and air conditioning, by 1994 when O.J. Simpson cowered in the back of one, a handgun to his temple, as patrol cars followed it for about two hours in the California twilight.
The model was discontinued two years later. But the Bronco — or at least that white Bronco — became one of America’s most iconic automobiles after the slow-speed chase on the Los Angeles freeways that played out on TV screens before an audience of millions, a moment that was seared indelibly into the nation’s cultural memory.
“Kids who were born in the 2000s, even they know that’s O.J.,” Marcus Collins, a University of Michigan marketing professor, said of his students. “It’s just as salient as me showing the Twin Towers on fire. It definitely became etched in the zeitgeist because of all the contextual associations that we applied to it.”
Related articles
Janet Jackson to play 2024 Essence Fest instead of the Smoothie King Center this summer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Janet Jackson will make her fourth appearance at the 2024 Essence Festival of Cul2024-05-07Will the Federal Reserve cut interest rates? With a robust US economy, it might not need to
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ever since the Federal Reserve signaled last fall that it was likely done raising2024-05-07Reid Detmers, bullpen limit Boston to 3 hits, Angels beat Red Sox 7
BOSTON (AP) — Reid Detmers allowed three hits over 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and Taylor Wa2024-05-07A Dubai company’s staggering land deals in Africa raise fears about risks to Indigenous livelihoods
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Matthew Walley’s eyes sweep over the large forest that has sustained his Indig2024-05-07John Swinney expected to lead Scotland after being confirmed as Scottish National Party leader
LONDON (AP) — Scotland’s former deputy first minister, John Swinney, was confirmed Monday as head of2024-05-07How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 4/12/2024
U.S. stocks fell sharply following a mixed start to earnings reporting season.The S&P 500 sank 12024-05-07
atest comment