On June 17th, 1994 O.J. Simpson led police on a low speed pursuit across Southern California. As the world watched the stunning events on television, I could hear the news helicopters hovering above my summer camp a few miles away from Simpson’s home in Brentwood. Although I had no idea who O.J. Simpson was at the time, I could sense the enormous impact this moment would have on history.
Many years later I am still fascinated by the case, which is why I started doing The O.J. Tour. Although it started as just as hobby, The O.J. Tour is growing to into a full fledged attraction. To improve the tour, I’m asking for your help getting a white Ford Bronco, identical to the one used in the infamous chase.
There are actually two Broncos associated with the O.J. Simpson trial. O.J. was given a brand new 1994 Ford Bronco XLT by Hertz Rent-a-Car where the blood of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman was eventually found. His best friend Al Cowlings owned a nearly identical 1993 model, which he used to help his friend evade the police that June afternoon. Since A.C.’s was the one from the chase, I feel that is the one I need to replicate. I’m looking for not only the same year, make, and model, but also a car in good cosmetic condition with low miles and similar interior.
Due to the Bronco’s iconic status among collectors, a car like that could cost as much as $18,000. I will need to account for repairs and maintenance, too- and let’s not forget tax, registration, and title transfer fees. My search is also limited to California due to the state’s strict emissions standards. Finding an exact replica may be difficult, but I need to be prepared when the opportunity comes along.
Driving the Bronco around Brentwood is going to attract a lot of attention, so I’ll have to make other part of the tour more legitimate. I’ll need to acquire a Transportation Charter Permit (TCP) number and carry commercial auto insurance. Doing that will require me to restructure certain aspects of the business. All of these things, of course, cost money.
But wait, there’s more…
My ultimate goal is to convert the back of the Bronco into a mobile O.J. Simpson museum. There are hundreds of pieces of memorabilia from O.J.’s football career and an equal number associated with the murder trial; hats, t-shirts, board games, dolls, pogs- not to mention countless books and television programs covering both subjects. I want to create a permanent display of these artifacts that can travel and be used for events. I already have a number of intriguing O.J. items but I want to set aside some money to grow and sustain the collection.
As a show gratitude for your support, we’ve put together some cool perks ranging from stickers and t-shirts to virtual tours for those unable to make it out to California to do the tour in person.
Before we can get started on any of this, however, I have to pay 10% to Paypal and Indiegogo and a somewhat larger percent to the IRS. I’m asking for $25,000, which I feel is just enough to make this a reality. If we raise more than our goal, or don’t come close at all, I’ll fulfil the prizes and donate the remainder to domestic violence charities.
If you’d like more information, or would like to take the tour in it’s current form please visit theojtour.com. Even if you can’t contribute financially, please consider helping by spreading the word on social media. I’m also totally available to discuss the tour and campaign on your podcasts/blogs/whatever. Please direct inquiries to info@theojtour.com. Anything and everything is appreciated. I’d be grateful forever if you helped me get this Bronco.
The campaign is set to end of June 17th 2017, the 23rd anniversary of the chase.
Thanks! Don’t squeeze the Juice!
