Ford Bronco History

The Ford Bronco has already made a lasting impression on many Milwaukee drivers. It isn’t hard to get noticed when standing in the presence of an automotive behemoth. The classic Ford Bronco brings to mind images of the rugged outdoors away from Whitefish Bay, providing drivers with the go-anywhere capability that has remained a fixture of this SUV.

With its uncompromising style and dynamic powertrains, the early Ford Bronco generations established a legacy that has never truly left these vehicles. In the following guide, Heiser Ford explores the history of this model and discovers how it set the stage for the current Ford Bronco generation. Learn how this SUV became an automotive legend and explore our new vehicle specials to save on your next configuration!

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

The original Ford Bronco is one of the most iconic vehicles of the last century, and we couldn’t be more excited to share some early Ford Bronco history with our neighbors near Shorewood:

• The original classic Ford Bronco was developed as a passenger-friendly off-road vehicle with a unique chassis.
• Today, with its 92-inch wheelbase, it would fall into the compact SUV class. All models were initially sold with four-wheel drive as standard.
• The original Ford Bronco engine was a 105-hp inline-6, derived from the engine in the Ford Falcon.
• The classic Ford Bronco wasn’t flashy or dressed up, but it stood out precisely for that reason! Customers were eager for a no-nonsense vehicle that could stand up to what the great outdoors threw its way, and this model had genuine utilitarian appeal.

Wasn’t There Another Old Ford Bronco?

There have been several other iterations of the classic Ford Bronco archetype. We’ve covered them all in turn!

Second Generation (1978-1980)

The old Ford Bronco entered its second generation as a full-size SUV in 1978. Although this model retained many styling notes from the first generation, there were more than a few notable changes, including:

• The retirement of the original Bronco chassis, and its replacement with a chassis adapted directly from the Ford F-Series.
• A wheelbase extension of 12 inches, bucking the trend toward downsizing which dominated the American automotive industry at the time.
• Eschewing the multiple body configurations offered on the first generation, the second-generation Bronco was offered only as a three-door wagon.

Third Generation (1980-1986)

Even during the second-generation Bronco SUV, Ford was moving 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 continue to be based on a chassis adapted from the F-Series.

Ford Bronco II (1983-1990)

Just three years after the release of the third-generation Ford Bronco, Ford unveiled the Bronco II. This model was the beginning of a new and unique line as a compact SUV, and 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 its engines. The Bronco II would eventually be replaced by the Ford Explorer.

Fourth Generation (1987-1991)

The fourth-generation Ford Bronco was built on the same chassis as the third-generation, yet it gained 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.

Fifth Generation (1992-1996)

The fifth generation might be the most recognizable of all the classic Ford Bronco builds, but the changes in this generation were relatively few and far between. There were some interior updates, alongside changes to safety features, and this generation also saw the effective discontinuation of the classic removable hard-top. 

Sixth Generation (2021 – )

The sixth-generation Ford Bronco was revived as a mid-size SUV with classic body-on-frame construction, independent suspension, and a 2.3L turbocharged EcoBoost® inline-four engine. Like the classic Ford Bronco, it features a detachable roof. You can now remove the side doors for a classic open-air touring or trailing experience.

Test-Drive the Latest Ford Bronco at Heiser Ford!

If you loved the classic Ford Bronco, we know you’ll appreciate the newest iteration of this fan-favorite model. When you’re ready to experience the latest Bronco, call 414-424-3012 or reach out online to schedule a test drive. Use our calculator to estimate what your monthly payments will be. Reduce what you’ll owe by trading your current vehicle with our dealership. Discover the newest Ford Bronco around Milwaukee with Heiser Ford!