JAY LENO TEAMS WITH FORD PERFORMANCE, LGE-CTS MOTORSPORTS AND SEMA GARAGE TO RESTORE HIS CLASSIC 1968 FORD BRONCO WAGON
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2019 – In terms of gag gifts, it was a good one – perfect, in fact, for a classic car enthusiast. Now years later, it will finally get the attention it deserves.
The 1968 Ford Bronco wagon was left for Jay Leno as a joke, arranged by fellow late-night TV host Craig Ferguson to be parked in Leno’s spot on the eve of his last taping. Ferguson was unaware of the iconic status of the Bronco – and had no idea how highly sought after these models are. But long-time car collector Leno knew. He happily accepted the gift which ended up sitting in his garage unrestored until recently.
A project years in the making, the announcement of the new Bronco spurred many discussions when anyone from Ford would visit Leno’s garage. The effort to restore the vehicle finally materialized early this year with Ford Performance and SEMA Garage leading a collaborative team to give it new life.
The upfitted and newly restored 1968 Bronco will be on display at the 2019 SEMA show.
Ford Performance worked with some of the industry’s restoration all-stars to bring that Bronco back to its former glory – and then some. The Bronco has been outfitted with the heart of the all-new Mustang Shelby GT500, the most-powerful street legal Ford ever.
Ford Performance engaged the expertise of noted Bronco licensee Kincer Chassis to help restore the vehicle – Kincer built the chassis and installed the powertrain, including the aforementioned Ford Performance 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine.
Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts provided body panels, while SEMA Garage contributed its technical expertise in computer-aided design, 3D printing and calibration work. LGE-CTS Motorsports, the award-winning and women-owned shop, revived the body with new sheet metal, custom body mods, paint, and final assembly.
“Bronco was an iconic vehicle that was many things to many people,” said Leno, now host of Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC. “The Bronco was bought to use on the farm or to take your date to the prom and was comfortable in any of these environments. The idea of having a classic Bronco upgraded with modern handling, performance and braking really makes it the best of both worlds.”
The 1968 Bronco wagon will be seen on an upcoming episode of Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC and will be showcased in detail on Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube.
A stellar team of outfitters and tuners incorporated all of these custom pieces into restoring Leno’s 1968 Ford Bronco:
Powertrain
- Ford Performance 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine
- TR-4050 5-speed Silver Sport transmission by TREMEC, with Quickdraw bellhousing and STX shifter assembly
- Heavy-duty 4WD drivetrain
- Advance Adapters Atlas II transfer case
- Specialty components by Krawlers Edge, including custom airbox, exhaust fabrication, stainless-steel gas tank and coolant package
- Radiator and supercharger cooler by Brice Thomas
- Borla mufflers
- Vibrant Performance exhaust components, hoses and fittings
- Aeromotive fuel filter
- II Much fuel vent
- Engine oil cooler by Derale Performance
- Stage 8 locking header bolts
- Lifeline Batteries
- Full Throttle Kustomz Performance tuning and diagnostics
Chassis
- Kincer Chassis Adventure Series coil-over chassis
- Wilwood disc brakes and master cylinders
- Fox 2.0 factory race series coil-over shocks and steering stabilizer
- John’s Industries third members with Eaton Detroit Truetrac differentials and gearing
- Carolina Driveline driveshafts
- Dutchman Motorsports axle shafts
- Flaming River steering column
- Tuff Stuff power steering pump
- Warn locking hubs
- Gaskets by Lube Locker
- BrakeQuip brake lines
- Axle seals by Seals-It
- Painless Performance Products wiring harness
Wheels and tires
- 18 x 9-inch John R steel wheels by Detroit Steel Wheels
- Rugged Trail T/A 275/65-18 tires by BFGoodrich
Exterior
- Installation of new sheet metal, custom body modification and final assembly by LGE-CTS Motorsports
- Custom “Tonight Blue” Envirobase paint supplied by PPG Industries, applied by LGE-CTS Motorsports
- Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts body panels, trim and accessories
- AMP Research side step
- STRATASYS 3-D printed grille insert molded into Dennis Carpenter sheet metal grille by LGE-CTS Motorsports
- Kaseser Air Compressors
Interior
- Sony audio with Scosche enhancements
- Eagle Ottawa genuine leather with custom perforation installed by Rogelio’s Upholstery
- Dakota Digital gauges
LGE-CTS MOTORSPORTS DEBUTS ‘BAJA FORGED’ FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY AT THE 2019 SEMA SHOW
The “Baja Forged” Super Duty is an overland-themed rig built to be an on-the-go command center and chase truck with all the essentials necessary to live and work on the go.
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2019 – LGE-CTS Motorsports, leading designer and builder of custom trucks, debuted its “Baja Forged” 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty custom truck in the Ford Motor Company booth #22200 at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The “Baja Forged” Super Duty is an all-in-one mobile command center, workshop and campsite that will be utilized as a chase truck for LGE-CTS Motorsports’ “Baja Forged” Ford Ranger that debuted at the SEMA Show in 2018.
The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty features a powerful 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel engine with impressive towing and hauling capabilities coupled with a comfortable cabin, which provided an optimal canvas to build the “Baja Forged” Super Duty.
The “Baja Forged” Super Duty was built at the LGE-CTS Motorsports facility in San Dimas, California. The stock bed was replaced with a custom Pronghorn modular utility flatbed with modifications made by LGE-CTS Motorsports to maximize storage space and utility. The modular flatbed opens to create a mobile workshop and was loaded with a set of Boxo Tools. For nighttime repairs, the bed was outfitted with Rigid Industries A-series lights to illuminate the workspace. An ARB Awning was mounted to the bed by way of the Built Right Industries Bedside Rack Riser Mounts. Since the “Baja Forged” Super Duty will spend a lot of time off paved roads and off-grid, an ARB weatherproof fridge and freezer were also installed in the bed. For sleeping accommodations, the “Baja Forged” Super Duty was equipped with a Tepui Hybox roof top tent and cargo box mounted to a custom Baja Forged roof rack.
The Super Duty was made ready for the arduous terrain that accompanies overland travel with the addition of an ICON Vehicle Dynamics 4.5-inch lift Stage 7 suspension system with dual steering stabilizers. In order to better handle the added weight and altered center of gravity from the utility bed and accessories, a set of Hellwig Big Wig air springs were installed along with Hellwig front and rear sway bars. For better traction off-road, the “Baja Forged” Super Duty was outfitted with 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires wrapped around 18-inch Method Race 304 NV HD wheels.
Purpose-built as a chase truck and support vehicle, the Super Duty comes prepared for less than ideal situations. A spare wheel and tire were mounted to the rear and a ProEagle three-ton jack was included with the bed tools. The factory fuel tank has been upgraded with a TransferFlow 60-gallon replacement for extended range, useful when traveling through remote regions. Should the “Baja Forged” Super Duty need to provide recovery support, it was equipped with a Warn 10S winch, Epic heavy-duty recovery kit and ARB TRED Pro recovery boards.
Creating an aggressive appearance, the front end was fitted with a custom Baja Forged front bumper and carbon fiber front fenders from LGE-CTS. Rigid Industries supplied the off-road lighting for the vehicle with its SR-series Pro 50-inch light bar, RDS-series 30-inch LED midnight optic spotlight and a variety of additional lighting components.
LGE-CTS Motorsports is known for their unique styling which is apparent with the “Baja Forged” Super Duty. The exterior of the truck has custom mixed colors by the experts at LGE-CTS using PPG Industries Envirobase paint system. The interior was given a revamp with custom Katzkin Leather seat covers. A Built Right Industries rear seat release kit allows for maximum cabin storage and the fitment of the Built Right Industries tech panel interior storage and cargo handling kit. Scosche supplied various interior lifestyle products. For secure storage and transportation of gear and electronics, the “Baja Forged” Super Duty was outfitted with a Ford Accessories vehicle safe and Pelican protective cases can be seen used throughout the vehicle.
On the performance front, the “Baja Forged” Super Duty received a custom Borla DPF-back exhaust system finished with black chrome exhaust tips to provide a richer exhaust sound while a Pedal Commander programmer was utilized to improve throttle response.
The “Baja Forged” Super Duty is on display at the 2019 SEMA Show in the Ford Motor Company booth #2200 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Follow LGE-CTS Motorsports on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LGECTS/ and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/lge_ctsmotorsports/ for photos and videos of the truck live from the SEMA Show floor. For more information on LGE CTS Motorsports, visit www.lge-cts.com/.
LGE-CTS MOTORSPORTS “URBAN ESCAPE” DEBUTS IN FORD BOOTH AT 2019 SEMA SHOW
Based on the popular Ford Escape CUV, the “Urban Escape” was designed to be the best of both worlds –from tackling the everyday urban environments to the adventurous off-highway back roads.
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2019 – LGE-CTS Motorsports, leading designer and builder of custom trucks, debuted its “Urban Escape” 2020 Ford Escape SEL AWD custom SUV in the Ford Motor Company booth #22200 at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The “Urban Escape” is a stylish all-around crossover vehicle designed to tackle both urban and off-road environments.
The newly redesigned 2020 Ford Escape features the powerful yet economical 2.0-liter inline-4 EcoBoost engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission delivering power to all four wheels, making it the perfect all-around vehicle for daily use and weekend adventures.
The “Urban Escape” was built at the LGE-CTS Motorsports facility in San Dimas, California. For excursions to the mountains or beaches, the “Urban Escape” has been fitted with a set of Ford Accessories roof rack cross bars along with Yakima roof rack accessories and ski and snowboard mounts. Rigid Industries D series LED lights have been mounted to the bumpers to provide better nighttime visibility. For a more aggressive stance and better grip on and off-road, wider 235/55R19 BF Goodrich Advantage T/A tires were mounted to 19-inch TSW Petrol P6A wheels.
The “Urban Escape” painted by the team here at LGE-CTS Motorsports in Ford’s “Lead Foot Gray” with an added flare of gold pearl custom mixed in along with color changing graphics which is easy to do using our PPG Industries Envirobase paint system. LGE-CTS specializes in custom paint accents, and that is apparent in the flat gold and titanium finishes that enhance the body color. In order to protect the paint from debris, Ford Accessories splash guards have been installed, rounding out exterior modifications.
A Pedal Commander throttle control system enhances throttle response, improving performance from the 2.0-liter EcoBoost motor. A custom Borla cat-back exhaust system with black chrome tips adds an aggressive exhaust note.
Rogelio’s Upholstery provided custom interior touches with a new leather interior while Scosche upgraded the sound system and outfitted the interior with lifestyle products. Providing secure storage for electronics and interior accessories, the interior is equipped with Pelican Case interior accessory cases while a Ford Accessories cargo shade, cargo mat and floor liners keep the interior protected.
The LGE-CTS “Urban Escape” is on display at the 2019 SEMA Show in the Ford Motor Company booth #2200 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Follow LGE-CTS Motorsports on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LGECTS/ and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/lge_ctsmotorsports/ for photos and videos of the truck live from the SEMA Show floor. For more information on LGE CTS Motorsports, visit www.lge-cts.com/.
ABOUT LGE-CTS MOTORSPORTS
A family owned business, LGE-CTS Motorsports started as an auto body shop named L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California in the early 1980’s before expanding in 2001 with the opening of the Custom Truck Shop. Besides the standard services to the everyday public, they are also known for their award winning builds including the SEMA show and has been the recipient of several Ford Motor Company design awards. Whether it be collision, or a full build, the possibilities are endless to redefine your ride. For more information please visit www.lge-cts.com
