The Ford Bronco debuted in 1966 as Ford’s vision of the perfect utility vehicle. Ford said it’s Bronco was neither a conventional car nor a truck but rather a vehicle that combines the best of both worlds. The Ford Bronco first generation ran from 1966 to 1977.
The model shown here was standard in 1966. Available was an optional steel cab with doors and windows that rolled up and down. With that option the vehicle was essentially turned into a pickup truck but one with comfortable bucket seats and extra ruggedness. The tops and doors were bolted on and could be removed with relative ease.
A New Type of Vehicle
When the 1966 Ford Bronco came on the scene it’s competition included the Jeep CJ, International Harvester Scout, Toyota, and Land Rover. The market at that time was about 40,000 vehicles per year. When Ford entered that market segment overall sales of those type vehicles escalated.
Ford really did a superior job marketing the new Bronco. The vehicle was described as a utility vehicle, an off road vehicle and as a new kind of sports car and with four wheel drive. If the Ford Bronco was used as a utility vehicle to haul things Ford suggested that the Bronco was a truck that you would just like to really have rather than need to have. Ford said that the 1966 Bronco be a part of any lifestyle. All of these attributes Ford championed at the time would be the first seeds of what would become the widespread popularity of the SUV.
The 1966 Ford Bronco weighed about 3000 lbs. The vehicle was rated to take an 800 lb. load. The rear axle could handle 2780 lbs. Ford also offered an option axle rated at 3,300 lbs.
Ford was the first major automaker to jump into this new market niche which would do nothing but grow in the coming years.
The Bronco was a success and buyer interest came quick. Ford’s new Bronco was able to establish a reputation as a solid back country 4×4 vehicle.
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