This Ford Bronco Previously Featured the Loudest Car Audio System in the World. It’s Now Being Reintroduced.

      Salvador Venerio

      The most significant automotive news and reviews, no fluff.

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the crucial stories straight to you every weekday.

      The 1990s and early 2000s marked the peak of car audio competitions. Although they continue into 2025, with setups louder than ever, those years remain a cherished period for enthusiasts who reminisce about powerful sound systems. The 1988 Ford Bronco you see here was a standout from that time, crafted by the legendary Alma Gates to surpass 170 decibels. It drew attention and caused vibrations on the show circuit, but for years, it sat idle, stripped of the Kicker system that once earned it the title of "loudest in the world."

      Now, it's being restored to serve a new purpose as a thumping demo vehicle.

      Salvador Venerio is now responsible for the Bronco. He runs The Perfect Beat 505 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, giving him the expertise to make it a showpiece once again.

      Venerio shared that he purchased the Bronco from Nathan Munson of Audio Apex, a figure considered "car audio royalty" in Sound Pressure Level (SPL) competitions. Munson and Alma Gates were close friends before her death in 2013. Gates was perhaps the most well-known figure in the sport during its peak, frequently making headlines and appearing in news segments due to her unusual pastime.

      After several years of inquiring about Munson’s plans for the Bronco, Venerio says he finally agreed to sell it—under one condition: it had to be rebuilt using Kicker equipment. Venerio contacted Kicker about sponsorship, and currently, the audio brand is deliberating its decision. Notably, Kicker previously built a sixth-generation Bronco in her honor and featured it at SEMA.

      “She had 48 [10-inch subwoofers] in it,” Venerio revealed. “I was considering maybe going with 38 [10s], but if they [Kicker] choose not to sponsor, purchasing that outright would be costly.

      “If they don’t, I’ll opt for four of the new SoloX 18s and do an extensive acrylic [enclosure] to make it truly stunning inside.”

      Venerio mentioned that the project already has one sponsor, XS Power, which is supplying all the lithium batteries.

      I’m struggling to determine the original number of power sources the Bronco had, but many images depict the enormous wall of alternators affixed to the V8 engine. Articles from a 2001 issue of Auto Sound and Security indicated that the system weighed 17,000 pounds total due to all the equipment. Gates recounted in that interview how the internal pressure from the bass was so intense that it damaged the vehicle’s sheet metal and even shattered the rear window.

      Whether or not it achieves that level of bass again isn’t what truly matters, in my opinion. What’s really significant is witnessing it receive the attention it merits. While it won’t happen immediately, Venerio appears dedicated to updating the Team Gates Kicker Bronco for modern times. One way or another, it’s sure to sound incredible.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out directly: [email protected]