Ford Bronco History

Whether you’re a proud owner of a Ford Bronco in Troy or you’re interested in rugged SUVs for the outdoors, you might be curious about the history. Starting from the classic Ford Bronco, this model has built a legacy and a name for itself as the vehicle that can tackle tough terrains on your outdoor adventures. Let’s go over the Ford Bronco timeline below, so you can see how far the latest model has come!

The Classic Ford Bronco: First Generation (1965–1977)

Considered as one of the most iconic vehicles of the last century, the classic Ford Bronco has some unique aspects that are hard to forget: 

• The original classic Ford Bronco was developed as a passenger-friendly off-road vehicle with a completely unique chassis. 
• Currently, with its 92-inch wheelbase, it would fall into the compact SUV class. All models were first sold with a standard four-wheel-drive system.
• The original Ford Bronco was equipped with a 105-hp inline-6 engine, which was derived from the engine in the Ford Falcon.
• The design of the classic Ford Bronco wasn’t meant to be flashy. Many drivers loved it for being able to handle the outdoors and appreciate that focus! 

Wasn’t There Another Old Ford Bronco?

Yes! There were several other iterations on the classic archetype that made up the Ford Bronco history as we have discussed below.

Second Generation (1978-1980)

In 1978, the early Ford Bronco became a full-size SUV with significant changes like:

• Retiring of the original Bronco chassis, and its replacement with a chassis adapted directly from the Ford F-Series.
• A wheelbase extension of 12 inches, bucking the trend toward downsizing which dominated the American automotive industry at the time.
• Eschewing the multiple body configurations offered on the first generation, the second-generation Bronco was offered only as a three-door wagon.

Third Generation (1980-1986)

While the second generation was just being released, Ford was already making the third generation. Smaller and lighter, the third generation of the early Ford Bronco would retain its full-size classification and continue to be based on a chassis adapted from the F-Series.

Ford Bronco II (1983-1990)

Three years later, the Bronco II was revealed. However, this was a compact SUV and was more similar to the original Ford Bronco than the third generation. It was developed along with the 1983 Ford Ranger, and even shared one of the engines. The Bronco II would eventually be replaced by the Ford Explorer.

Fourth Generation (1987-1991)

As we continue on the Ford Bronco timeline, the fourth generation would return back to its roots as it was built on the same chassis as the third generation. However, it did receive a wide range of interior and exterior updates. This generation also included the Silver Anniversary Edition, the very first early Ford Bronco offered with leather seating.

Fifth Generation (1992-1996)

The fifth generation might be the most recognizable of all the classic Ford Bronco builds, but the changes were relatively few and far between. There were some interior updates, as well as changes to safety features, and this generation also went through the effective discontinuation of the classic removable hard-top. 

Sixth Generation (2021-Present)

Now that we’ve caught up on the Ford Bronco history, we are at the current generation. The sixth generation was revived as a mid-size SUV with classic body-on-frame construction, independent suspension, and a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® inline-four engine. Similar to the classic Ford Bronco, it features a detachable roof. Plus, you can even remove the side doors for a classic open-air touring or trailing experience. 

Enjoy the Ford Bronco Legacy at Ford of Latham

Make your Albany and Schenectady drives a part of the Ford Bronco history when you get into a model at Ford of Latham. Come by our Latham dealership today when you contact us for a test drive! Feel free to see the rest of the SUVs in our lineup as well.