From the Classic Ford Bronco to Today

July 26th, 2022 by

The Ford Bronco has generated a lot of excitement since it arrived at Capital Ford Winnipeg, and continues to be one of the most popular SUVs at our dealership near Winnipeg. The classic Ford Bronco was built to tackle the challenges of the rugged outdoors, and its go-anywhere capability is the stuff of legend. With its distinctive style and robust powertrains, the early Ford Bronco achieved a kind of icon status that continues to the day. Learn more about the history of the early Bronco, compare the new Bronco vs. classic Bronco, and find out how Ford has carried this storied heritage into the 21st Century.

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

The original classic Ford Bronco was developed as a passenger-friendly off-road vehicle with a completely unique chassis, a 92-inch wheelbase, and standard four-wheel drive. Equipped with the same 105-hp inline-6 engine that was featured in the Ford Falcon, the classic Ford Bronco wasn’t flashy, but its no-nonsense quality, versatility, and rugged off-road performance capabilities had great appeal to drivers in the Selkirk area and beyond.

Wasn’t There Another Old Ford Bronco?

Several other iterations on the classic Ford Bronco were offered following the first generation. Check out what these other early Ford Bronco models had to offer below:

Second Generation (1978-1980)

Introduced in 1978, the old second-generation Ford Bronco was offered as a full-size SUV. Retaining many styling notes from the first generation, this edition included some notable changes, such as:

  • A new chassis adapted directly from the Ford F-Series
  • A wheelbase extension of 12 inches, which moved the Bronco from the compact to the full-size category
  • Offered only as a three-door wagon in place of the multiple body configurations offered on the first generation

Third Generation (1980-1986)

Smaller and lighter than the second-generation, the third-generation Bronco retained its full-size classification, and still featured a chassis adapted from the F-Series.

Ford Bronco II (1983-1990)

Three years after the release of the third-generation Ford Bronco, Ford unveiled the Bronco II. This model was more similar to the original compact Ford Bronco SUV. It was developed along with the 1983 Ford Ranger and shared one of the Ranger’s engines. The Bronco II would eventually be replaced by the Ford Explorer.

Fourth Generation (1987-1991)

Built on the same chassis as the third generation, the fourth-generation Ford Bronco received 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, which was the very first early Ford Bronco offered with leather seating.

Fifth Generation (1992-1996)

The fifth-generation is probably the most recognizable of all the early Ford Bronco builds. While the changes built into this generation were relatively few, there were some interior updates, as well as changes to the safety features offered. This generation also saw the discontinuation of the classic removable hard-top.

Sixth Generation (2021 – )

The sixth-generation Ford Bronco is offered as a mid-size SUV with classic body-on-frame construction, independent suspension, and a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® inline-four engine. Like the classic Ford Bronco, it features a versatile interior as well as a detachable roof and removable side doors, allowing you to enjoy a classic open-air touring or off-road experience on the trails outside of Steinbach.

Experience the Ford Bronco at Capital Ford Winnipeg

If you’re one of the many who love the classic Ford Bronco, we’re certain you’ll be impressed with all that the new Bronco has to offer. To get behind the wheel of the 2021 Bronco and learn more about the new Bronco family, make your way down to Capital Ford Winnipeg. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales team will be happy to fill you in on all of the features and performance specs of this affordable SUV. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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