Few cars can capture the true adventurous energy that the Ford Bronco exudes. If you were alive between 1966 and 1996, chances are you would have seen at least one movie scene involving a Ford Bronco being driven through picturesque American landscape.
Launched in 1966 as Fords first MPV (multi-purpose vehicle – a name used before the term SUV was coined) the Bronco was placed as a direct competitor to similar models from Jeep and International Harvester. Interestingly while the Mustang was based on the original Ford Falcon, the Bronco had a frame, suspension and body that was not shared with any other vehicle.
The original Bronco boasted a 2.6L straight 6, however to keep up with other competitors, later models were beefed up to a 4.9L straight 6 or even a 5.75L V8. Available in a wagon, pick up and less popular roadster – which was later dropped for a sports package. Optional extras included a CB radio, tow bar, auxiliary gas tank, power take off, snowplough, winch and posthole digger the Bronco was truly marketed as an adventure vehicle.
In 1978 a redesigned Bronco was launched which moved away from the smaller frame, borrowing instead a shortened Ford F-series truck chassis. This redesign was in order to keep the Bronco more competitive with rival models from Chevy and Dodge.
Unfortunately in its later years the Bronco was just not seen as competitive enough with many drivers looking past it for more powerful, larger and luxurious models. This decline in popularity saw the Bronco discontinued in 1996 and succeeded by the larger four door, Ford Expedition.
On the 17th of June 1994, in a true example of “there is no such thing as bad publicity” a Ford Bronco driven by Al Cowlings was pursed by police as a passenger in the car was a murder suspect, that suspects name was OJ Simpson. The car chase that followed lasted for approximately 90 minutes, spanned almost the length of Los Angeles and had an estimated audience of 95 million people with news stations labelling it arguably one of the most watched car chases in history.
Few cars can capture the true adventurous energy that the Ford Bronco exudes. If you were alive between 1966 and 1996, chances are you would have seen at least one movie scene involving a Ford Bronco being driven through picturesque American landscape.
Launched in 1966 as Fords first MPV (multi-purpose vehicle – a name used before the term SUV was coined) the Bronco was placed as a direct competitor to similar models from Jeep and International Harvester. Interestingly while the Mustang was based on the original Ford Falcon, the Bronco had a frame, suspension and body that was not shared with any other vehicle.
The original Bronco boasted a 2.6L straight 6, however to keep up with other competitors, later models were beefed up to a 4.9L straight 6 or even a 5.75L V8. Available in a wagon, pick up and less popular roadster – which was later dropped for a sports package. Optional extras included a CB radio, tow bar, auxiliary gas tank, power take off, snowplough, winch and posthole digger the Bronco was truly marketed as an adventure vehicle.
In 1978 a redesigned Bronco was launched which moved away from the smaller frame, borrowing instead a shortened Ford F-series truck chassis. This redesign was in order to keep the Bronco more competitive with rival models from Chevy and Dodge.
Unfortunately in its later years the Bronco was just not seen as competitive enough with many drivers looking past it for more powerful, larger and luxurious models. This decline in popularity saw the Bronco discontinued in 1996 and succeeded by the larger four door, Ford Expedition.
On the 17th of June 1994, in a true example of “there is no such thing as bad publicity” a Ford Bronco driven by Al Cowlings was pursed by police as a passenger in the car was a murder suspect, that suspects name was OJ Simpson. The car chase that followed lasted for approximately 90 minutes, spanned almost the length of Los Angeles and had an estimated audience of 95 million people with news stations labelling it arguably one of the most watched car chases in history.
