Ford Bronco History

History of the

Ford Bronco

Goes Over Any Terrain

Ford WWII GP

General Purpose Vehicle.

Ford designed and built the famed quarter ton 4X4 trucks during World War II. Commonly known as the Ford "GP" General Purpose vehicles. More than 270,000 were built with the iconic vertical slotted grille designed by Ford. Affectionately referred to as the GOAT, it Goes Over Any Terrain.

1951 Ford M-151 MUTT

M-151 MUTT was the next generation of tough 4X4 military vehicles built by Ford; it served as a model for the "go-anywhere readability" for Bronco.

1966 Ford Bronco

The first generation Bronco (1966-77) was revealed by Ford President Donald Frey on August 11th 1965 as "a completely new line of sports-utility vehicles." The early designs were penned by McKinley Thompson Jr., one of the first African American designers in the industry.

1969 Bronco Wins Baja

Bronco further establishes its off-road chops as the first and only production 4X4 to achieve an overall win at the Baja 1000 - a victory no other automaker has replicated in 50 years and counting.

1973 Ford Bronco Revolution

The first major changes for Bronco in seven years include the addition of power steering and automatic transmission options to signal a Bronco revolution.

1978 Second-Generation Bronco

Codenamed Shorthorn, the second-generation Bronco (1978-79) goes high style and bigger with an F-150 chassis, first big-block Ford engine and air conditioning. In two years, 180,000 units were sold.

1983 Bronco II

Bronco II, a cousin to Bronco, debuts as an efficient, family-friendly off-road vehicle that went on to become Ford Explorer - America's all-time best-selling SUV. Based on IHS Market, 1946-current US total new cumulative registrations, for all vehicle identified as SUVs.

1991 Silver Anniversary

Winding down the fourth generation (1987-91), Ford celebrated 25 years of Bronco with a limited production Silver Anniversary edition and adds more technology to the lineup,, including electronic fuel injection and rear anti-lock brakes.

1996 Bronco Says Goodbye

The final Bronco rolled off the line at Wayne Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit, as family-oreinted SUVs and crossovers began to dominate the industry.

Bronco Inspiration

Bronco Concept opens the door to the possibility of a return of the Bronco namplate. Where all the teasers and leaks began.

2020 Built Wild Returns

The legendary Bronco returns for 2021 as a family of Built Wild all 4X4 rugged sport utility vehicles as fans eagerly await.

How to Submit Your Bronco Custom Order

Don't Pay an Additional Dealer Mark-Up. Order from Gresham Ford

We know you have lots of choices when choosing to order your New Ford Bronco. Gresham Ford wants to be your Oregon Ford Dealership of choice. Give us a chance to show you how relaxed a customer centric car buying process can be. The new Ford Bronco is a whole new generation of built wild vehicles dedicated to helping you make new adventures. The only domestically built SUV that comes standard with 4X4 capabilities is bound to get you outside.

Submit your Bronco Custom Order Request Submit your Bronco Sport Custom Order Request Contact a Customer Advocate

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.

Oregon Ford Dealer Disclosure: Sales tax, Title, License Fee, Registration Fee, $215 Dealer Document Fee, Finance Charges, Emission Testing Fees, dealer trade charges and Compliance Fees are additional to the listed price. Ford Factory Destination and Delivery Charges are included in the price. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Custom-ordered Ford vehicles are sold without an additional dealer markup for the original ordering consumer with the exception of performance vehicles including but not limited to F-150 Raptor, Bronco Raptor, Mustang GT 500, Mustang Shelby GT350R, Bronco Heritage, and Bronco Sport Heritage. Please contact the Gresham Ford Sales Team to confirm the availability and pricing of all vehicles. Even though all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and totality of Ford Motor Company Rebates, Ford Motor Credit Rebates, and Incentives, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. PLEASE MAKE SURE to confirm the details of this vehicle (such as what factory rebates you may or may not qualify for) with Gresham Ford in order to ensure its accuracy. Some incentives and rebates may require financing through Ford Motor Credit. Gresham Ford cannot be held liable for data that is listed incorrectly. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.

Temporary hand controls are available upon request for test drive purposes. Please provide up to 48 hours of notice to ensure availability. Contact Us to submit a request for hand controls or additional accessibility assistance.