There's so much more to the Ford Bronco than a brief stint as O.J. Simpson's getaway automobile. Sure, we might as nicely get that connection out of the best way as shortly as attainable, since we have other horses to ride. And let's keep the equine theme going somewhat longer, since if there was an equal to the Mustang in the sport-utility world, the Bronco would be an obvious contender.
That is not completely coincidental. The Bronco was also made by Ford within the mid-'60s, at a time when car corporations were going by a part of giving autos animal-related names (Thunderbird, Falcon, and Stingray, for instance). Also, motor industry titan Lee Iacocca and Donald N. Frey were responsible for both automobiles, despite the fact that they had been markedly different machines.

Photo 2/5 | 1966 Ford Bronco Looking And Fishing
It was the Jeep CJ that was on the minds of Iacocca and Frey after they were growing the -ton Bronco. Like Ford Bronco Sport Badlands , this model got here with all-wheel drive (that includes a low-range transfer case) as commonplace, and generous ground clearance.

In contrast to the Jeep, there was an preliminary selection of body styles: an open-topped roadster version with a fold-down windshield, a half-cab (type of like a pickup with rear seats in the bed) model, plus a two-door wagon with a hard and fast steel roof. When the Bronco vary went on sale in 1966, costs were $2,404, $2,480, and $2,625, respectively.

Every variant was powered by a 2.8L (170ci) inline-six making 105 hp and returning round 14 mpg. A 4.7L (289 cubes) V-8 soon grew to become another. The original transmission was a "three on the tree" manual, with a separate lever to interact the transfer case. Standard equipment included a entrance bench seat. All the seats had been designed to be eliminated simply, bringing extra versatility for whatever weekend adventures Bronco homeowners might get up to.

Picture 3/5 | 1966 Ford Bronco Golf Course
Chances are, lengthy highway trips weren't among those adventures. The Bronco was gradual, struggling to reach freeway speeds. The weak drum brakes most likely didn't inspire confidence, both. Its agency suspension, coupled with a short 92-inch wheelbase, was additionally higher suited to off-roading than providing a lush journey quality. Nevertheless it appears the motoring public's love of sport-utility autos is not just a recent thing.
Not less than the gross sales figures were galloping once the Bronco was out of the gate. It rapidly became clear which Bronco model was the preferred. Production figures from 1966 confirmed a bit of greater than 4,000 roadsters had been constructed, nearly 7,000 half-cabs, and virtually 13,000 wagons.
There was also one sort of long trek the place a Bronco was a common sight: the desert racing scene on Mexico's Baja Peninsula. The Bronco wasn't immediately successful, however famed builder Invoice Stroppe prepared many Broncos over time and received a number of titles.

Picture 4/5 | 1966 Ford Bronco Prototype
Ford commemorated these achievements with the 1974 Baja Bronco, a restricted run of 650 items all bearing Stroppe-derived modifications, comparable to heavy-responsibility shock absorbers, uprated rear springs, a roll bar, and a 302ci (5.0L) V-8. 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands are actually collectible, as are the relatively unloved (at the time) roadsters.
An computerized transmission option for versions with a V-8 arrived in 1973, together with energy steering. At the identical time, the wagon emerged as the only real Bronco model. The next year noticed a spike in bumper gross sales but additionally the rising reputation of truck-based competitors like the Chevy Blazer. It wasn't till 1978 that a brand new Bronco, underpinned by the same platform as the Ford F100 truck, marked a fresh era.
A generation that lasted solely for 2 years. Although the up to date Bronco got here with a V-8 as normal, a detachable onerous prime, and a pickup-like tailgate, buyer reaction was muted. The V-8's thirst had a lot to do with it.
Era Three arrived in 1980. Smaller, lighter, providing V-8 or inline-six engines, and primarily based on the Ford F-150, this Bronco ditched the previous solid front axle in favor of an independent suspension that made the ride bearable sufficient for on a regular basis use.
The fourth and fifth generations were evolutions, but they had been still three-door wagons, which is the rationale Ford offers for the Bronco's eventual demise. Folks wanted more passenger doors, so Ford obliged with the Expedition. It wasn't the "O.J. impact" that killed the Bronco. In actual fact, gross sales loved a short-lived resurgence during that point.

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Photo 5/5 | 1966 Ford Bronco
And just like that, we're again to one of many Bronco's most notorious homeowners. It does show, nevertheless, the pull the Bronco had on buyers. Simpson was an expert footballer who had translated his fame as an athlete into an performing profession. He lived in a ritzy space of Los Angeles. So he was able to afford nearly something he wished-but he purchased a mainstream SUV, albeit one with a macho air about it.
Not the exact 1993 white Bronco, nevertheless, tens of millions noticed being chased by police on reside Tv. That one belonged to his pal, footballer Al Cowlings, who was driving at the time. Ford Bronco Sport Badlands were so shut, they bought equivalent models. They put the "bro" into Bronco.
Cowlings ultimately bought his for $75,000. Over the following 20 years or so, it was pushed not more than 20 miles, spending the rest of its time in a nook of a Los Angeles parking storage. It is now an exhibit on the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Tennessee. Simpson's Bronco-the one with traces of blood linked to Simpson and the two homicide victims-was destroyed after the trial.
Ford now has a sixth-era Bronco prepared for release later in 2020. Just like the Jeep Wrangler-progeny of the CJ-it will have two or four removable doors. It is based on a new era of the Ranger midsize pickup truck, and there's even speak of a hybrid variant. Appears like it's time for the Bronco identify to be rehabilitated.

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By Colin Ryan
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