Ford Bronco History

The Ford Bronco made a mark on the rugged outdoors and is continuing to do so. If you’re a big fan of the present-day Bronco, you might be curious about the early Ford Bronco. Let’s rewind and see how the classic Ford Bronco established its tough capability that many drivers are continuing to love. Afterward, you will see why Jackson Family of Dealerships is more than proud to still have this legendary Ford vehicle in our inventory to this day! 

Classic Ford Bronco: First Generation (1965–1977)

As one of the most iconic vehicles of the last century, the classic Ford Bronco has impressive facts to share with drivers while other cars have fun facts: 

• The original Bronco was developed as a passenger-friendly off-road vehicle with a one-of-a-kind chassis.
• All models were first sold with standard four-wheel drive. Now, it is considered a compact SUV due to its 92-inch wheelbase.
• The original 105-hp inline-6 engine was derived from the one of the Ford Falcon. 
• While the classic Ford Bronco didn’t have a flashy exterior design, it still stood out because drivers wanted a vehicle that they can count on for off-road driving and not necessarily something to look at. The Ford Bronco has a genuine utilitarian appeal!

Wasn’t There Another Old Ford Bronco?

There were actually multiple other iterations on the classic Ford Bronco archetype.

Second Generation (1978-1980)

As a full-size SUV, this generation kept many styling notes from the first generation while making some changes, such as: 

• Retiring of the original Bronco chassis and replacing it with one directly adapted from the Ford F-Series.
• A wheelbase extension of 12 inches, opposing the trend toward downsizing which dominated the American auto industry then.
• Getting rid of the multiple body configurations that were offered on the first generation, the second-generation Bronco was offered only as a three-door wagon.

Third Generation (1980-1986)

The third generation is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, but it is still similar in its full-size classification and uses a chassis adapted from the F-Series.

Ford Bronco II (1983-1990)

The Ford Bronco II took a 180-degree turn and became more similar to the early Ford Bronco as it is a compact SUV. It was developed at the same time as the 1983 Ford Ranger and was eventually replaced by the Ford Explorer. 

Fourth Generation (1987-1991)

The fourth-generation Ford Bronco reverts back to the third generation, using the same chassis while getting major interior and exterior upgrades. This generation included the Silver Anniversary Edition, making it the very first early Ford Bronco offered with leather seating.

Fifth Generation (1992-1996)

Perhaps the most recognizable of all the classic Ford Bronco builds, the fifth generation actually didn’t have that many extensive changes aside from some interior updates, safety features, and the effective discontinuation of the classic removable hard-top. 

Sixth Generation (2021 – Now)

Reborn as a mid-size SUV with classic body-on-frame construction, independent suspension, and a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® inline-four engine, the sixth generation continues the legacy to the present day. It also has a detachable roof like the classic Ford Bronco. Similarly, going back to the experience of driving outdoors as the main focus, you can also remove the side doors near !

Explore the Ford Bronco at Jackson Family of Dealerships

Now that you know more about the Ford Bronco history, continue to learn more about this model at Jackson Family of Dealerships before making a purchase in the Decatur area. When you’re ready, be sure to use our new vehicle specials to save on this legendary model. Contact us if you have any questions.