History of the Ford Bronco

As Ford reveals its vision of the future, the automaker is also bringing a piece of its history back from the dead. Along with its recent reintroduction of the 2018 F-150 pickup, Ford has also announced the return of Bronco SUV to the US market. Being built in its Michigan Assembly Plant, in Wayne, Michigan, this historic Ford SUV will return to the market in 2020.

History of the Ford Bronco
Joining the Ford family in 1966, the Ford Bronco, was one of the world’s leading 4x4 vehicles for three decades. For 40 years the Bronco reigned its category ahead of competition from Jeep, Chevrolet, Dodge and plenty of others.

The Original Icon

Available as a hardtop, pickup truck, or convertible model; the first-generation Bronco (1966-1977) was designed as the modern-day symbol for the American cowboy. This off-road vehicle, which shared some components with the F-100 pickup truck, was born with either a six or eight-cylinder engine and was devoid of most creature comforts in order to stay as manly as Ford intended.

The Second Generation
Some 12-years after its debut (1978-1979), the next edition of Ford’s leading off-road vehicle began to look much like the F-100 by becoming a single, three-door model with a removable hardtop and a V-8 engine.

Alongside the F-Series the Bronco was sold with a “Free-Wheelin’ cosmetic option package for both the Custom and XLT trims that featured tricolor striping and blacked-out exterior trim.

Creativity Continues

Over the next 16-years, the third, fourth and even fifth generation Ford Broncos continued to roll onto the scene with updates like a revised front suspension, which made this born to be off-road vehicle more tolerable on the road. As it began to share its front sheet metal with the F-150 this SUV began to have a lot in common with the automaker’s leading truck.

Available with a V-8 engine that pushed the speed to approximately 100 MPH, the Ford Bronco also began to include push-button control for its four-wheel drive as an option.

It even became one of the most talked about vehicles in the Ford lineup following the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase in Los Angeles in 1994.

While Ford discontinued the Bronco two years after the famed chase, with the rumors that this event caused the slump, Ford decided to overhaul its F-150 model and this would result in the Bronco either being modified to a new platform as well or maintain the past platform for both models.

Ford discontinued the Bronco in 1996 and has left this famous 4X4 in the past until now.

The Future of the Ford Bronco

Back from the dead. The all-new Ford Bronco will be rolling onto the showroom floor in 2020. This new generation Bronco will boast an newly-formatted rugged look with the latest in smart technology and an enhanced style that will return it to its historic Ford roots.

Keep in touch with your Southern California Ford Dealer to schedule a time to take a ride in the return to the future.