The 2016 SEMA Show may seem like it is months away, but it is around this time of the year that shops begin to get their projects started. With a little over seven months before vehicles need to be on the show floor it is time to get ahead of the SEMA crunch.

The guys at Car Buff Network and American Machine and Fabrication have a special project in the works that extends past the show in November. They are taking a 1977 Ford Bronco to SEMA, but also plan on taking it to King of the Hammers (KOH) and racing it in 2017. This is a very unique build as it will do more than just look good, it will be a fully functioning race vehicle.

Trent Campbell of Car Buff Network explains, “We chose to build a stock class vehicle because there is a lot of opportunity for exposure there. It will go to SEMA this year and race in the Every Man Challenge stock class next year at King of the Hammers. The other cool aspect of this build is that it’s a vintage Bronco.”

The Bronco will be getting pulled into the shop within the next couple weeks and begin the process of turning it into a SEMA off-road race vehicle. The Bronco as it sits now is in relatively great shape and requires little body work.

Many sponsors are on board with the project and many more will still be jumping on board. Wilwood, DEI, Boom Mat, and Yukon Gear and Axle are just some of the companies that are on board with the project.

This Bronco has more meaning to it as owner of American Machine and Fabrication, Don Brown, told us, “The number 77 is not only the year of the Bronco, but it has significance to my sister. It was owned by her and my brother-in-law and I proudly took ownership after their untimely passing.”

Brown let us know what he recommends to someone taking on an off-road project, “Buy a good starter rig that’s trail worthy and do all your own work and upgrades. From there do a little at a time and wheel it as much as possible, seat time is the best medicine.”

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to check in on the build and ultimately see it at the SEMA show later this year. What is your favorite part of the build? Tell us in the comments below!