Ford Bronco History

The Ford Bronco is a head turner on Kingman streets, but not many people know about Ford Bronco’s history. The classic Ford Bronco brings up images of the rugged outdoors and the go-anywhere capability that today’s Ford Broncos are known for. With its unique style and powerful powertrains, the early Ford Bronco made a reputation for itself that still holds true today. Learn a bit about the early Ford Bronco and find out how it cleared the way for the sixth-generation iteration with the team at Anderson Ford Kingman

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

The early Ford Bronco is an iconic vehicle of the last century, and we couldn’t be more excited to share some fun facts with our Golden Valley neighbors about it:

• The early Ford Bronco was a passenger-friendly off-road vehicle with a unique chassis
• With a 92-inch wheelbase, the early Ford Bronco would be considered a compact SUV. All models were initially sold with standard four-wheel drive.
• The original Ford Bronco engine was derived from the engine in the Ford Falcon and was a 105-horsepower inline-6.
• The classic Ford Bronco wasn’t flashy, but it stood out from the crowd for that reason! Customers were eager for a practical vehicle that could easily handle the great outdoors, and the early Ford Bronco had a genuine utilitarian appearance.

Other Ford Bronco Generations

Second Generation (1978-1980)

The Ford Bronco entered its second generation as a full-size SUV in 1978 with these notable changes:

• A 12-inch wheelbase extension, bucking the trend of downsizing which dominated the American auto industry in the late 1970s.
• Retiring the early Ford Bronco chassis and replacing it with a chassis adapted from the Ford F-Series.
• Discontinuing multiple body configurations offered on the Ford Bronco first generation. The second-generation Ford Bronco was available only as a three-door.

Third Generation Ford Bronco (1980-1986)

The third-generation Bronco was smaller and lighter than the second-generation but otherwise similar. It would keep its full-size SUV classification and continue with the chassis adapted from the F-Series.

Ford Bronco II (1983-1990)

Three years after the debut of the third-generation Ford Bronco, the Ford Bronco II was released. This popular model started a new line, but as a compact SUV, it was more similar to the early Ford Bronco than the third-generation model. Eventually, the Bronco II was replaced by the Ford Explorer.

Fourth Generation Ford Bronco (1987-1991)

The fourth-generation Ford Bronco was designed using the same chassis as the third-generation but received many exterior and interior updates. It even included the Silver Anniversary Edition, the first Ford Bronco with leather seating.

Fifth Generation Ford Bronco (1992-1996)

There were not a lot of changes to the fifth-generation Ford Bronco. There were some interior updates and changes to safety features, and this generation also included the discontinuation of the classic removable hard-top.

Sixth Generation Ford Bronco (2021 – Present)

Recently, the sixth-generation Ford Bronco was reintroduced as a mid-sized SUV with classic body-on-frame construction and independent suspension. It has a powerful 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® inline-four engine to take your Dolan Springs drives up a level. Like the classic Ford Bronco, it offers the famous detachable roof. You can also remove the side doors for a classic open-air driving experience. Check out the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport if you enjoy a sportier look.

Explore the Ford Bronco at Anderson Ford Kingman

If you love what you’ve learned about the early Ford Bronco, why not head to Anderson Ford Kingman for a test drive around Hackberry in a new Ford Bronco? You can browse our inventory and new vehicle specials online and apply for financing from the comfort of your home. Don’t wait! Contact us today!