Ford Bronco History

Ford is a popular brand, well-known by most Spring Hill drivers, and for good reason. With plenty of options for vehicles that can fit nearly every driver’s needs, Ford is a one-stop shop to upgrade your Hudson drives. No matter where you go in your new ride, you’re sure to turn heads, but what’s the history behind one of the most well-known models: the Bronco?

Lucky for Brooksville drivers, we have all the details on the Classic Ford Bronco, including that of the early Ford Bronco as well. Take a deep dive into the past with us and explore the Bronco history with our Spring Hill team.

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

The classic Ford Bronco is one of the most iconic vehicles of the last century, and we couldn’t be more excited to share a little early Ford Bronco history with our neighbors near Port Richey:

• The original classic Ford Bronco was developed as a passenger-friendly off-road vehicle with a completely unique chassis
• Today, with its 92-inch wheelbase, it would fall into the compact SUV class. All models were initially sold with four-wheel drive as standard.
• The original Ford Bronco engine was a 105-hp inline-6, derived from the engine in the Ford Falcon.
• The classic Ford Bronco wasn’t flashy or dressed up, but it stood out precisely for that reason! Customers were eager for a no-nonsense vehicle that could really stand up to the test of the great outdoors, and this model had genuine utilitarian appeal.

Wasn’t There Another Old Ford Bronco?

In fact, there were several other iterations of the classic Ford Bronco archetype. We’ve covered them all in turn!

Second Generation (1978-1980)

In 1978, the old Ford Bronco entered its second generation as a full-size SUV. Although this model retained many styling notes from the first generation, there were more than a few notable changes, including:

• 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)

Even at the time of the second-generation Bronco SUV’s release, Ford was looking toward the future. A third-generation Bronco–smaller and lighter than the second-generation, but otherwise similar–was already in development. It would retain its full-size classification, and it continued to be based on a chassis adapted from the F-Series.

Ford Bronco II (1983-1990)

Just three years after the release of the third-generation Ford Bronco, Ford unveiled the Bronco II. Make no mistake: this model was the start of a new and unique line, but as a compact SUV, it was more similar to the original Ford Bronco than even the third-generation model described above. It was developed in concert with the 1983 Ford Ranger and shared one of the latter’s engines. The Bronco II would eventually be replaced by the Ford Explorer.

Fourth Generation (1987-1991)

The fourth-generation Ford Bronco was built on the same chassis as the third-generation, but it received a wide range of interior and exterior updates. Fans of the classic Ford Bronco find this generation notable because it included the Silver Anniversary Edition–the very first early Ford Bronco offered with leather seating.

Fifth Generation (1992-1996)

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

Sixth Generation (2021 – Present)

The sixth-generation Ford Bronco 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. Like the classic Ford Bronco, it features a detachable roof. You can even remove the side doors for a classic open-air touring or trailing experience. Check out our coverage of the Bronco interior or Bronco colors to learn more.

Experience the Ford Bronco at Ford Spring Hill

Now that you know more about the Ford Bronco history, it’s time to explore the current offerings at our Spring Hill dealership. If you still want to do some research on your purchase options, feel free to contact us or review our car-buying tips for more information. We can’t wait to make you a part of the Ford family!