The 2021 Ford Bronco has already started to make an impression on Chicago-area drivers, but it isn’t hard to get noticed when you’re standing on the shoulders of a giant. The classic Ford Bronco immediately calls to mind images of the rugged outdoors, and it really did offer the kind of go-anywhere capability that today’s Bronco fans adore.
With its uncompromising style and pragmatic powertrains, the early Ford Bronco made a name for itself that’s never gone away. Learn a little bit about the history of this model, and find out how it set the stage for the sixth-generation 2021 Ford Bronco with our team.
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 Madison and Waukesha:
In fact, there were several other iterations on the classic Ford Bronco archetype. We’ve covered them all in turn!
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ford has also announced a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact four-door variant of the same model. Like its namesake, this compact model is ready to tackle trails and backroads with confidence.
If you love the classic Ford Bronco, we know you’ll feel the same way about the newest version of this fan-favorite model. Keep an eye on our new Ford inventory to be among the first to test drive this model when it arrives, and keep up with the Badger Truck & Auto Group blog for the latest news and information.
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