SEMA 2024: 1966 Ford Bronco “Pure” by RMD Garage

It is no secret that classic Broncos are enjoying a surge in popularity in recent years. With the introduction of the new Bronco in 2021 and the growth of the overlanding segment, classic 4x4s are hotter than ever. At the 2024 SEMA Show, one build stood out with timeless style and modern engineering: a fully reimagined 1966 Ford Bronco nicknamed “Pure.”

Restored and customized by RMD Garage, this stunning build captivated crowds in the Toyo Tires Treadpass area with its clean lines, polished chrome, and beach-ready charm.
“Pure” isn’t just a restored classic; it is a complete transformation. RMD Garage, the Long Beach, California-based custom shop founded by Ralph Holguin, has a long-standing reputation for elevating vintage vehicles into rolling works of art. You might even remember the shop from its one-season show on Motor Trend in the mid-2000s. At SEMA, RMD showed that their passion for bespoke builds has only grown since then.

The foundation of the Bronco build is an all-new Kincer Chassis, which gives old trucks a new lease on life, offering improved strength and reducing chassis flex. Better yet, it is officially licensed by Ford. The redesigned frame is two inches wider inside, creating crucial room for upgraded components like modern drivetrains, long tube headers, and transfer cases.

Powering “Pure” is a Ford 5.0L Coyote V8, a favorite among restomod builders for its combination of performance and reliability. Stopping power is provided by Wilwood disc brakes, which are a massive upgrade from the original 1960s brake system.

But it’s the attention to detail that truly defines this build. Every bolt on the truck has been replaced with new ones that are engraved with “RMD Garage” on the heads. That alone must have added thousands to the cost of this build, ordering entirely new hardware with custom engraving! It is details like this that elevate a SEMA build above a simple restoration.

Step inside, and the Bronco reveals a cabin more refined than most luxury SUVs. The interior is a blend of crisp white bucket seats, a color-matched dashboard, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a polished chrome center. The gauges from Classic Instruments are customized with RMD Garage’s logo, adding a subtle nod to the builder’s craftsmanship.

Tan patterned material covers the flooring, door panels, and headliner, offering warm contrast to the otherwise light interior. A custom center console trimmed in light wood features two cupholders, a nice touch. While the white color palette might raise questions about off-road practicality, there is no denying that the interior is an elegant and comfortable place to be.

Above the pristine interior sits a lift-off hardtop, revealing a polished chrome roll bar for safety and style. The rooftop luggage rack features a matching white and chrome trunk, rounding out the aesthetic with a touch of luxurious, adventure flair.
Whether basking in the SEMA spotlight or cruising through Long Beach on a sunny California afternoon, “Pure” lives up to its name. It’s a showpiece that has been carefully engineered, tastefully styled, while retaining the classic look of the very first model year of the Ford Bronco.

RMD Garage has once again proven their mastery of automotive art, breathing new life into a classic while staying true to its spirit. “Pure” isn’t just a truck, it’s a bold, clean, and built with purpose.

Follow @rmdsgarage on Instagram for more.

1984 Toyota Celica GT Rally Car

There is a car show held once a month in Scottsdale where people gather to drink coffee and show off their high-end exotic cars. I skipped right past the rows of Ferraris and Porsches to go check out this 1984 Toyota Celica GT (yes, seriously).

I took one look at the car and could tell right away that something special was going on here. For one thing, it’s a lifted car! Aside from an AMC Eagle or a Subaru rally car, you don’t often see cars with this much ground clearance! I snapped some photos and looked around for the owner who was nowhere to be found.

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1989 Volkswagen TriStar DOKA Synchro

Several years ago, there was a small automotive shop by my house in Phoenix called Exklusiv Motorsports that specialized in modifying Volkswagens. They had a pair of these big red trucks outside, so one day I took a picture of them. It wasn’t until recently that I learned how rare these things are!

These double-cab Volkswagens were sold in Northern Europe as very basic work trucks, but the TriStars were top-of-the-line models with full interiors, cruise control, power windows, heated seats, and armrests. Even rarer still, both of these trucks are the Synchro models (4WD)!

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Another Lifted Truck

Aside from being a lover of cars, I’m also a lover of music. If you’ve ever glanced at my mugshot below the articles I write, it’ll be no surprise when I say that most of the music I enjoy involves loud, distorted guitars. One of my favorite thrash metal bands is a group called Overkill. Many of their album covers revolve around a green and black color scheme, and they even have a song called “The Green and Black.”

Coincidentally, I feel like that their name aptly describes the very same green and black color scheme on this truck. It’s absolutely overkill. I didn’t bother doing any research on it (fuck me, right?) but it has a big goofy Fuel logo on the front and an Audio Techniks decal on the bed side. So if you want to learn more about this boric acid flamed motherfucker, google it up.

Also, what the is the deal with that leaf pack? Seriously?

Local Motors Rally Fighter

If you have been to our website before, you would probably agree that a Toyota Camry is a pretty boring car. It’s not a bad car, it is just not terribly exciting. The reason it is boring is because the Camry was designed to meet the need of drivers all over the world.

It has to be good at city driving for commuters.
It has to be good at highway driving for families and road trips.
It has to be good at being a taxi, commercial vehicle, or suburban grocery hauler.
It has to work in freezing cold Michigan winters and brutal Phoenix summers.
It has to be safe and pass crash test standards.
It has to meet vehicle emissions standards.
It has to be aesthetically pleasing.
And it still has to be affordable!

The Camry is a car that’s designed for every type of driving environment. But what if automakers built cars specific to the region where they were to be used? What if car manufacturers built a vehicle for the Pacific Northwest, a different vehicle for the Midwest, and another car for the Deep South?

Well, that is exactly the idea behind Local Motors.

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