Cincinnati Ford Bronco Dealer

History of the Bronco

First Generation

Although it has been absent for more than 20 years, the history of the Ford Bronco tracks the rise and development of SUVs (well before they were officially called that). The original, first-generation Bronco was conceived in the early 1960s by Ford product manager Donald N. Frey, who was also the man behind the Mustang. It was designed as an off-road vehicle intended to compete with models like the Jeep CJ-5 that was available at the time – the predecessor to the modern Jeep Wrangler.

By modern standards, the size of the original Ford Bronco would make it a compact SUV, though that term was not in use when it was released for the model year 1966. There were three body styles available for the Bronco during its first generation: a two-door Ranger wagon with a rear door, a two-door pickup model, and a no-door roadster with an open cabin. It came with an inline straight-6 engine, though a small block V8 engine was offered as an available option for drivers that wanted more power.

The first generation of the Ford Bronco ran from 1966 to 1977. During this time, there was a noticeable shift by customers toward a desire for similar vehicles with more of an on-road focus: the beginning of the rise of the SUV market. With the introduction of competing models like the Chevy Blazer, Ford realized they needed to offer a Bronco that handled better on the road while still providing impressive performance on the trail.

Second Generation

A second generation for the Ford Bronco was initially supposed to launch in the early 1970s (around 1974), but that plan was delayed by the fuel crisis in 1973. The gas crisis caused a greater desire for cars with high fuel economy, so Ford put off the release of their second-generation Bronco until 1978. Where the first-generation Bronco had been designed with a unique chassis, the Ford Bronco in 1978 used a chassis adapted from the Ford F-Series of trucks.

The second-generation Bronco was longer than its predecessor, becoming a full-size SUV, and had a number of design features similar to the Ford F-Series trucks. Gone was the I-6 engine of the past, and only V8 engines were available on the second-generation model. Although the second generation of the Bronco lasted only two years, during this time, nearly 200,000 models were produced, which is almost as many as were produced throughout the 12 years of its first generation.

Third Generation

In 1980, a third-generation Ford Bronco was released, though it had been in development since before the launch of the second-generation model. Due to the delay to the second generation, this 1980 model came quickly and yet offered a number of features clearly inspired by the development of the previous model. It was lighter and shorter, with a more efficient powertrain that made it more attractive to customers still concerned about gas prices.

This third-generation model used a chassis based on the Ford F-150 and saw the return of an I-6 engine, though an updated V8 engine was also offered. Much like its previous generation, this was a two-door model with a rear door to allow access to the cargo area, and much of its overall design was informed by the F-Series trucks. Another vehicle called the Ford Bronco II was released in 1982, but this was an unrelated compact SUV based on the Ford Ranger pickup.

Fourth and Fifth Generations

In 1987, a fourth-generation of the Ford Bronco was released with a major design overhaul that included features reminiscent of the F-Series trucks. As you can see, since the first generation, Broncos often reflected and mimicked design elements from the F-Series. This generation featured an I-6 and available V8 engines and included rear-wheel anti-lock brakes as standard to improve overall safety.

The fifth, and seemingly final, generation of the Ford Bronco launched in 1992 with a redesign that followed the new design of the Ford F-150 released in the same year. This generation included a larger grille with a bold overall style and a slightly rounded front fascia that gave it a sporty and powerful look. Although production numbers were decent during this time, sales on the Bronco declined until this model was discontinued in 1996. It was followed by the Expedition in 1997, which replaced the Bronco in Ford’s lineup.

Return of a Classic

For more than 20 years, that was the last we had heard of the Ford Bronco. That is, of course, until an all-new 2021 Ford Bronco was revealed in the summer of 2020. This new Bronco has been designed as a midsize SUV with a wide array of incredible features and bold trim levels – including both two-door and four-door options – that make it one of the most impressive off-road vehicles in recent memory. Best of all, the new Bronco has been joined by an all-new Ford Bronco Sport model that provides a four-door compact option equally ready to conquer the open road and the trail.

Kings Ford is the One for You

Here at Kings Ford, we are proud to be your Cincinnati Ford Bronco dealer with everything you need. You can find us in the Kings Auto Mall, just off Fields Ertel Rd between US-71 and Route 22. With our inventory of hundreds of brand-new vehicles to choose from, including the exciting new Bronco and Bronco Sport, we can help you find the perfect vehicle.

At our service center, you will be able to get all of the service and maintenance you need for years to come. The last thing you want to worry about when an issue arises is who you can trust to work on your vehicle. At Kings Ford, you know that you are getting the best service from people that specialize in Ford vehicles.

It is Time to Get Behind the Wheel of a Bronco