By Becky Celestini
“I did things that I never thought I was capable of doing. This SEMA build was a once in a lifetime opportunity … and I do not pass up on opportunities like this.”
Bronco Nation member Gina Quasny (@Ladyinbluebronco) represented the Nation in a big way at the 2022 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas earlier this month: She was part of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) all-female team that modified the much-anticipated Ford Bronco 4-door Wildtrak unveiled at the event.
It started when she saw a post announcing a special project for the 2022 SEMA Show: an all-female Bronco build. A graphic designer by trade, Gina now works on vehicles through her own Chicagoland business — Auto Accents Mobile Graphics — and thought she had some skills to contribute to the build process, not to mention the fact that she relished the idea of learning new skills with a group of women. She looked into the project, applied, and next thing she knew, she was making travel plans to meet the team and start building out a Bronco.
“I went in having no idea what to expect, and the first day there I was helping swap out the exhaust system! It was so cool,“ said Gina. “You could jump into anything on any day. It was a combo of everything — learning the mechanical side of things, sharing our expertise and knowledge, and exchanging stories about where we came from. To see a woman show you some of these technical things and explain what is going on … it just blew my mind.”
An Incredible Team of Women
image: Nicole Bradle
The build team was comprised of a diverse group of women from the Carolinas to California, representing different cultures and generations – from women in their teens to women in their sixties. Gina said, at age 56, she was proud to be one of the oldest volunteers. “I’m always up for learning new skills and it was great to see things from the 20-somethings perspective. I loved talking to them about life and their challenges, and then encouraging them to help them succeed.”
From inexperienced automotive enthusiasts to certified experts in their field, the skill level of participants was all over the map. “These women came from every kind of background. There were race car drivers, off-roaders, mechanics, veterans, teachers, students, writers, designers and more,” said Gina. She said it was the unique backgrounds of the women that made the project even more special. “I was pleasantly surprised at what I got out of it,” she said. “We were able to empower each other, network with each other, and learn from each other."
The build itself took place at two SEMA garages. First at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California; and then the SEMA Garage Detroit in Plymouth, Michigan. Gina said a build schedule was sent out for each location and women signed up to volunteer where/when they could. She was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer at each location. “I was able to go to and spend three days at both garages. Each garage had different crews, and I got so much out of each crew that I got to work with, learning totally different things at each garage.”
images: Gina Quasny
A Total Team Effort
Gina said this Bronco adventure was even more enjoyable because there were no egos on the team and no “take charge” personalities in the group. “It was really amazing to see how none of the women tried to ‘be the boss’ — we truly all worked together and helped each other learn new things,” she said. “Like, one of the women was a certified motorcycle mechanic –– it was so cool to watch her explain to the women how to install/exchange parts.”
Gina was able to share some of the skills she uses in her own mobile graphics business when it came time to put the wrap on the sides. “As they did the post-heating on the wrap, I was able to offer some hands-on instruction about the process –– teaching them how to use the heat gun, explaining what temperatures to use, and how long you need to do it.”
She said that kind of collaboration was constant amongst the group, trying to find other solutions and problem solve together. “We really were just there to help each other and work together, and with NO EGOS,” she said. “We just high-fived each other when we figured whatever out … the energy between everyone was just phenomenal!”
images: Gina Quasny
Favorite Parts of the Build
Gina said there were many things she loved about the build, especially learning things she had never done before. While she says that “really everything was cool!” about the build, here are a few of her favorites and some that may have inspired her to do her own Bronco:
- The exhaust system from AWE Tuning was the first thing that wowed me. Installing that was pretty cool and I could definitely see myself doing that.
- The LIFT! Oh man those big tires … now I am convinced I want to do a lift.
- I loved, loved, loved the Katzkin seats! They’re gorgeous and if I ever upgrade, I’ll do those.
- The Goose Gear storage system. I’ve been following them since before I even got my Bronco, as their product is made of the highest quality. (Plus, I like that it’s named after his daughter, who was also on the build…and nicknamed Goose.)
- I also liked the Oracle lighting … it is phenomenal. The flush mount taillights.
images: Gina Quasny, Nicole Bradle
Challenging Herself in More Ways Than One This Year
Not only did Gina challenge herself by learning new skills while working on the SEMA Bronco build, but she also took her driving ability to places it had never been — experiencing off-roading for the first time while out in Las Vegas for the reveal. “Enjoying Sunday drives or opening the top and heading to our favorite beach in Michigan have been the most adventurous things I’ve done with my Bronco,” she said. “I went off-roading for the first time at the Bronco Off-Roadeo and had so much fun … it was just awesome. I want to go to them all now and definitely need to find some trails by me!”
Three Generations of Bronco Drivers
Gina was excited when she first heard about the All-Female SEMA build, but when she learned it was a Bronco, she knew she definitely had to participate. As a day one reservation holder and now proud owner of a 2021 Black Diamond in Velocity Blue, Gina loves the Bronco. “There’s something about it being a new generation plus the nostalgia of the past,” she said. “I love the power when I drive it and that there’s room to load up my equipment for work.” But Gina is not the only Bronco fan in the family. Her husband Curtis has a first gen — a 1966 body with a 1975 frame — their two sons each have new Wildtraks, and their granddaughters have a mini Bronco to match their parents.
Setting Her Sights on a Bright Bronco Future for Women
Gina really hopes to see more projects like this in the future and hopes to help bring awareness of women in the auto industry. “The talent of these women is off the charts! People do not know what they are missing,” she said. “I think it’s important that people know the incredible skills women can offer and realize we can help eliminate discrimination against women in engineering or mechanics.”
Gina said being a part of the SEMA Bronco Build is an experience she’ll never forget and hopes it will inspire other women to participate. “I never imagined meeting these women … or seeing women do the things we did. This experience was just amazing,” Gina said. “It really opened my eyes. There is way more going on behind the scenes, and women can do so much now and in the future.”
About the All-Female Build
Ten years after SBN led an award-winning all-female Ford Mustang Build, the group announced it would be assembling another all-female team to modify a Ford Bronco 4-door Wildtrak for SEMA 2022. And just as that Mustang build did in 2012 — the new Bronco build aimed to highlight successful women in the automotive industry, while also attracting and supporting more females to pursue careers in the field.
The women modified all aspects of the car, including the engine, chassis, drivetrain, interior, sound system, exterior and paint.
Total Hours on the Project Overall: Over 150,000
Number of Women Wanting to Volunteer: Over 250
Number of Volunteers: Over 127
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