Bronco FAQs

They saw an emerging market in the early 1960s with increasing sales of Jeep CJ-5s, International Scouts, Toyota FJ40 Landcruisers and recognized they should be in the market as well.

It did! Ford built nearly half the Jeeps used in the war effort from 1941-1945. There were likely a few surplus Ford-built Jeep owners that transitioned to Broncos in the 1960s.

The 1978 Bronco was actually designed in 1972, with an original planned introduction for the 1974 model year. The 1973-74 oil embargo and resulting downturn in the economy, which greatly affected automakers’ profits, delayed the new Bronco’s introduction for 4 years. The 1980 Bronco was already well into development by the time the 1978 model was introduced.

While the design was a team effort consisting of stylists, technicians, and engineers, the designer most often credited with the design was Paul G. Axelrad, the chief engineer on the Bronco project.

No. Vehicle design cycles usually take a minimum of three years, so the design of the Expedition (introduced in the fall of 1996 for the 1997 model year) was well underway by the time of the O.J. Simpson chase.

Yes, it is extremely collectible. In fact, until recently, the Early Bronco sat atop Hagerty Insurance’s most collectible vehicles list.

The Baja Bronco was a special model produced from 1971-1975. Baja Broncos were painted red, white and blue, with black hoods and shipped to Bill Stroppe and Associates in Long Beach, CA, where a variety of modifications such as rollbars, dual shocks, automatic transmission and power steering (1971-1972 only), fender flares, larger tires and wheels, a special spare tire cover, and other goodies were added.

It’s the first vehicle that had “Sport(s) Utility” as model name (now commonly known as the half cab). However, the Bronco was far from the first of what we now call sport utility vehicles.

The original Bronco cost about $2500 in 1966.

The Bronco has been featured in many different films over the years, with some of the most popular being Speed, Romancing the Stone, and Gone in 60 Seconds (the original).

The Bronco II consistently out-sold its larger brother each year it was sold, usually by a factor of two to three times.

By almost any measure, yes. Sales of the 1978 Bronco were over 400% higher than its 1977 predecessor.

1966-1968. In 1968, Ford only sold 212 roadsters.

These options were first available for the 1973 model year.

The first sketches in the Ford Archives date from mid-1963. The first clay models were constructed in the fall of 1963. The program received the green light and $10 million in early 1964.

Yes, the Bronco program originally had the acronym, G.O.A.T., which stands for Goes Over Any Terrain.

The Bronco’s primary marketplace competitors were the Jeep CJ-5 and the International Scout. Other competitors included the Toyota Landcruiser FJ40, Nissan Patrol and Land Rover. Later entries in the segment included the Jeepster Commando, Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy and Plymouth Trailduster/Dodge Ramcharger. As the Bronco grew in size starting with the second generation, the Chevy Blazer was its primary competitor.

Eddie Bauer was a longtime outdoors outfitter that Ford paired with for a trim package in the 1985 Bronco. The Eddie Bauer package added unique paint/trim/interior features (along with luggage) to the Bronco that made it feel bit more like a ‘luxury outdoors vehicle’. The Ford/Eddie Bauer pairing was unique in the SUV market and Eddie Bauer Broncos are some of the most collectible of the 3^rd/4^th/5^th generation Broncos.

The first generation trucks are usually referred to as Early Broncos, or EB^s, for short. Third generation trucks are called ‘bullnoses’ and 4^th generation trucks are ‘bricknoses’. The 5^th generation Broncos are called OJBs (OJ Broncos) or OBS (Original Body Style) Broncos. The Bronco II is sometimes called the ‘Deuce’.

The 5.0 (302) in the Bronco received multi-port fuel injection mid-way through the 1985 model year. The 300 cu. in. six cylinder and 5.8 (351W) gained fuel injection in 1987 and 1988 respectively. The Ford multi-port injection system was considered superior to the throttle-body system used by competitors.

Yes, it was always removable but as the years progressed, it became more and more difficult to remove with fasteners buried under trim pieces, etc. The 66-77 Broncos used a full-length removable steel top while subsequent generations used a removable fiberglass design that covered the rear passenger compartment.

Yes, they produced a 25^th anniversary edition Bronco that was available in one color: Currant Red. The Broncos had badges on the B-pillars and a 25^th anniversary logo on the tire cover. Leather upholstery, thick carpet, and color-keyed trim panels were found inside. As with the Eddie Bauer model, owners received a Silver Anniversary jacket, bag, and keys when they purchased one of the 3,000 special editions made that year.

Indeed it was! Broncos started racing off road immediately after their introduction, thanks mainly to the efforts of Bill Stroppe. The Bronco’s rich racing legacy was forged in the next 10 years and beyond in Baja and the southwestern U.S. thanks to the efforts of such noted racers as Parnelli Jones, Rod Hall, Larry Minor, James Garner, James Duff, Carl Jackson, and many others.