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15 Things You Never Knew About The Ford Bronco

While the new Ford Bronco’s production is on hold, it’s time to look back on its history to uncover details you aren’t aware of.

Ford has produced several great models that have stood the test of time. The American automaker has had a tremendous amount of success with its muscle car and pickups, but they also made a bit statement with a unique SUV – Ford Bronco.

Production of the Bronco commenced in 1965 and lasted for 30 years before Ford decided to put the project on hold. It seems that Ford has realized the tremendous potential that Bronco has, so the automaker has decided to resume the production. Although the production of the new generation is on hold due to the global epidemic, it seems Ford will release a 2021 Bronco.

Considering the Bronco has such a vast history, we decided to go back in time and dig up details about it that very few people know.

15 Doorless Roadster

Although most cars come with doors, that wasn't the case for certain Bronco models. Ford produced the Bronco with metal doors, but a roadster model, produced from 1966 until 1968, didn't have doors. The model was called U13, and it offered a soft top with sturdy inserts to act as doors.

14 1969 Model Sold For $500,000

If you scour auctions around the U.S., you'll find classic Broncos available for about $47,000, which is what Hagerty claimed. It was back in 2013 that a 1969 Ford Bronco custom model went for $500,000. The car was sold for charity. A special edition Bronco sold for $110,000 at a Florida auction, according to IOL.

13 2021 Model Will Have A Removable Top

Motor Trend reported that a recent patent details a removable roof structure. Not only will the roof be removable but so will the doors. Motor Trend also reported that Bronco's removable roof might be more complex than Jeep Wrangler's. We'll have to wait and see how it's going to work.

12 Bronco And Mustang Have The Same Father

There are numerous team members that contributed to the design and production of a model, but there's got to be one genius that's behind the plan. Ford had Donald Frey, a product manager, who was responsible for putting together the Mustang. He was also responsible for conceiving the Bronco.

11 1974 Was Its Best Year

When Ford launched the first-generation Bronco, the automaker was fortunate enough to experience almost immediate success. Ford managed to sell around 24 thousand models in the first year, according to CJ Pony Parts, but it was in 1974 that Ford had its best sales year by reaching almost 26 thousand units.

10 Introduced To Compete With The Jeep CJ5

Ford saw that Jeep had done well with the CJ5, and they wanted a piece of the market. Instead of just bringing out an SUV, they ensured that their model could compete with the CJ5. To compete with Ford, Bronco came with coil spring suspension, an optional V8 engine and a sturdier frame.

9 Features New Off-Road Technology

Ford is constantly on the lookout to see how it can make its cars more appealing to off-road users. Well, the new Bronco will feature amazing off-road navigation technology. Hagerty used the analogy of Bronco leaving digital bread crumbs so that the driver could retrace his or her steps to describe the technology.

8 Ford Lost Millions In Lawsuits Due To Bronco II

It was in 1984 that Ford introduced the Bronco II. The car was a smaller alternative, but Ford has to discontinue it six years later due to safety concerns. The car's proportions and weight resulted in numerous roll-overs. Ford lost $113 million from 334 lawsuits that it had to settle by 1995.

7 Bronco Was An Off-Road King

One of the people who saw great potential in the Bronco was off-road legend Bill Stroppe before it even hit the market. Stroppe took gold with it in a matter of short period than passed the car onto Parnelli Jones, who built the famous Big Oly. The car went to win back-to-back Baja 1000 wins in 1971 and 1972.

6 1973 Oil Crisis Delayed The Second Generation

When Ford introduced the first-generation Bronco, the car slotted into the compact SUV segment. Ford was determined to move the Bronco into the full-size SUV market in 1973, according to Ford Trucks, so they planned to redesign a bigger version for the second generation. The automaker had to postpone those plans until 1977 due to the oil crisis in 1973.

5 A New Pickup Version Is On The Way

After Ford saw the excitement that consumers had for the upcoming Bronco model, the automaker realized that the market would also embrace a pickup version. Automobile Mag reported that Ford would begin production of the Ford Bronco Pickup in July 2024. That's still a while, but it might be worth the wait.

4 Sales Increased After Police Chase

It seems that there is no such thing as bad publicity. The infamous scene of O. J. Simpson being chased by the police was broadcast around the world. Simpson was in a Ford Bronco at the time. The broadcast might've helped Ford's figures since there was a spike in Bronco sales after the incident.

3 Bronco Sport Will Have A Hybrid Powertrain

After Car and Driver inspected the upcoming Ford Bronco, the publisher mentioned that the Bronco sport will have a hybrid powertrain. The car will have a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, with a 2-liter cylinder as optional. Car and Driver claimed that it should be the same as Escape hybrid's naturally aspirated 2.5-liter in-line four and electric motor.

2 1974 Bronco Sold For $650,000

If you thought that half a million dollars were a lot of money to pay for a Bronco, then how about paying $650,000? That's exactly what happened in January 2020. This 1974 model wasn't just any old truck because it contained special modifications such as the 700 horsepower supercharged 5-liter V8 engine, according to Fox News.

1 6-Cylinder Engine And 3-Speed Transmission

The Ford Bronco gained a reputation for its V8 engine. Before the V8 engine gained prominence, Ford had offered Bronco with a 6-cylinder engine and a 3-speed manual transmission, according to Nearsay. Eventually, Ford upgraded it to the Ford 289, then to the Ford 302 with an automatic transmission.