Ford’s One-Off Builds: Popes, Broncos, and Design Clues

images: Ford

This week, Ford revealed a sleek 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum in Agate Black Metallic, custom-made for Pope Leo XIV and gifted to him by CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, at the end of February.

The one-of-a-kind vehicle features a 3.3L V6 hybrid powertrain and 10-speed hybrid transmission and will be used on the Vatican grounds. Inside the cabin are personal touches tied to the Pope’s childhood in Dolton, Illinois, about 5 miles from Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant where the vehicle was put together.

These design elements range from subtle seat tags with the Chicago flag and engravings of St. Peter’s Basilica to the more prominent Chicago skyline stitched into the center console.

A Long History of Modified Vehicles

We’ve dabbled in other Ford models here and there, but we are Bronco Nation after all, with an emphasis on the first part of the community’s name. So, once you’re done admiring the handiwork on this Explorer, let’s revisit other vehicles made for service, both on a Bronco base.

For that, we’ll go back to 2022 for the one-of-one Pope Francis Center First Edition on a model new Bronco owners are familiar with, and also even earlier, to the modified 1980 Ford Bronco completed for Pope John Paul II.

The 1980 Ford Bronco

Developed for Pope John Paul II’s U.S. visit of Oct. 1-7, 1979, this third-generation Wimbledon White Bronco showcased an open-air rear compartment and handrail so he could greet assembled followers. The doors featured the papal seal, and the tailgate dropped to reveal stairs. The interior was done up in Wedgewood Blue.

Ford was tasked with providing up to three such vehicles, and it was around this time that the term “Popemobile” became popular, thanks to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The 2021 Pope Francis Center First Edition Bronco

Then, this generation of Bronco fans got to see another service-centered vehicle, on the same platform as our own.

Created to benefit Detroit’s Pope Francis Center and the citizens it assists, Ford based this one-off build on a First Edition donated by David Fischer Jr., president and CEO at The Suburban Collections Holding, LLC. The vehicle was sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in 2022, and all $500,000 of the hammer price went directly to aid people without housing with meals, hot showers, laundry facilities, and free medical, dental, and legal clinics, among other services.

Also done up in Wimbledon White, this was the first sixth-generation Bronco Ford displayed in the original 1966 body color. Rapid Red stripes and Iconic Silver elements were paired with custom badging and wheels.

Design Harbingers

Later that year, in August of 2022, Ford dropped the Heritage Limited Edition and Heritage Edition Bronco SUVs. The throwback vehicles borrowed the white dashboard first seen in the Pope Francis Bronco, but dressed in Oxford White instead.

Then, in 2025, for Bronco’s 60^th birthday, Ford gave us all a look at the Bronco Roadster Concept, another not-for-production vehicle, this one honoring the 1966 U13 roadster. Inside are seats upholstered similarly to the originals, a trait the Pope Francis Bronco also recreated as an homage to the OG.

While it makes sense that Ford dips into its design files for custom vehicles and concept creations, it has us wondering what other elements that come up on one-of-ones will make it into future production.

From the tease of Wimbledon White on the Pope Francis Center First Edition becoming reality –– the color is now available with the 2026 60^th Anniversary Package –– and with Bronco Stampede at Moab coming up, held April 2-4 during Easter Jeep Safari week, we’re thinking back to last year’s reveal of the Bronco Off-Roadeo: Arches and Bronco Off-Roadeo: Cliffhanger project vehicles.

Each of these Broncos played off the modular DNA and featured parts and accessories offered by Ford, including the tube doors. Borrowed design elements from the Bronco Raptor –– fender flares and carbon fiber –– enticed enthusiasts with something we don’t have (yet?), a two-door version of the king of the desert.

By now, enthusiasts have noticed that, like the Pope Francis Center Bronco details, packages and items from other models have made their way to Bronco production: Sport’s Free Wheeling trim joined Bronco in 2025, Bronco got the Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) used on Maverick and more, and colors like Ranger's Avalanche Gray and Mustang's Orange Fury have been integrated into the lineup.

Read: Color Changes, More Top Options, and Wildtrak’s Return: 2026 Bronco Updates

Even a 2024 SEMA Bronco, the Wild Fund Bronco, featured the Modular Grille Kit long before its official reveal late last year. Ford loves its Easter eggs and pulls small and large elements from things we’ve already seen. Are the secret reveals complete? We doubt it.

What’s Coming in Moab

Will we see new project vehicles or reveals next month at the iconic wheeling destination? Will a two-door Bronco Raptor ever surface as a production vehicle? Or will fans of the Bronco simply continue to spot pieces of Built Wild and Ford heritage woven into future updates and generations of the vehicle we love over the coming years? Only time will tell!

Read: Ford testing something "obvious" for future model years of Bronco

One thing we know for sure: Bronco Nation will be there hosting trail drives led by Bronco Off-Roadeo guides along with a member meetup and dinner after, and once again, Ford will have its purpose-built course where anyone can drive one of its Broncos for 25 minutes of pure off-road joy. Additionally, there will also be giveaways, including a WARN winch and RIGID pod lights, so express your interest in joining us!