Second Gen Ford Bronco Design History

[Casey]

Interesting design and development history from Dick Nesbitt's P.O.V.: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/07/28/yeah-the-chevrolet-blazer-inspired-the-design-of-the-second-gen-bronco-so-did-the-1955-chevrolet-nomad

Edited February 4, 2021 by Casey

[NOBLNG]

Interesting read. I’ve got to say I like the first generation best....and what they came up with for the second gen is much better looking than some of the early drawings.?

[Oldcarfan27]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

Interesting read. I’ve got to say I like the first generation best....and what they came up with for the second gen is much better looking than some of the early drawings.?

First one looks like an International knock-off. Second one looks like a Rambler.

Not good.

[1972coronet]

Thanks for the link , @Casey!  Very cool article , and full of photos  !  I'd long wondered as to why Ford kept the original Bronco after , say , 1972 . That's not a swipe at the original , unique Bronco ; just an observation .

[iamsuperdan]

They must have been kicking themselves for not making a 4-door version, after seeing how popular the Suburban became.

[Joe Handley]

I don’t know why, but the latter two look more like Econolines that the F-Series and the grill for the last one looks kinda Escort like.

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, iamsuperdan said:

They must have been kicking themselves for not making a 4-door version, after seeing how popular the Suburban became.

I remember seeing a fleet of 4 door Broncos on the back lot of a Ford dealership in Downey , California , in 1988 . Perhaps there was a fleet-only 4 door option ? They all had Los Angeles Sheriff's Office schemes ; likely for use in the mountains and deserts of northern L.A. County . If only I had a camera ! Other than my memory , I have zero evidence of their existence .

[sfhess]

23 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

I remember seeing a fleet of 4 door Broncos on the back lot of a Ford dealership in Downey , California , in 1988 . Perhaps there was a fleet-only 4 door option ? They all had Los Angeles Sheriff's Office schemes ; likely for use in the mountains and deserts of northern L.A. County . If only I had a camera ! Other than my memory , I have zero evidence of their existence .

There was a company doing those conversions.  Don't recall the name.  

[Casey]

3 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Interesting read. I’ve got to say I like the first generation best....and what they came up with for the second gen is much better looking than some of the early drawings.?

I actually like that. Seems based on the first gen, with slimmer proportions, first gen Courier style (or maybe Pontiac knock-off split) grille. The greenhouse looks more like a J-series Cherokee 2-door to me, but the bodyside trough seen on the F-series is present, too.

[Casey]

28 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

I remember seeing a fleet of 4 door Broncos 

https://www.motortrend.com/news/centurion-classic-big-bronco-history-photos-details/

[1972coronet]

That's the one !  I did some research ; found that the conversion company was Centurion ---- but I didn't find any police-spec models . 

[Joe Handley]

They were just conversions, think they combined the back half of the Bronco shell with the 4dr truck cab on a modified chassis.

[Rodent]

Yes, most/all of the ones I saw at the dealership were F350 4x4 Diesels. The interiors were poorly made, and looked like something stolen from a conversion van.

[iamsuperdan]

I've seen one Centurion in person. Great concept, but did seem like kind of a home brewed hack job. Exterior looked fine, but neither the interior nor the undercarriage were well finished at all.

 

[Joe Handley]

14 hours ago, Rodent said:

Yes, most/all of the ones I saw at the dealership were F350 4x4 Diesels. The interiors were poorly made, and looked like something stolen from a conversion van.

That’s because they did an assortment of “conversion” work, including cargo vans into dressed up passenger vans and did similar things to pickups as well........minus the massive window holes in the sides like the vans would get.

[Rodent]

3 hours ago, Joe Handley said:

That’s because they did an assortment of “conversion” work, including cargo vans into dressed up passenger vans and did similar things to pickups as well........minus the massive window holes in the sides like the vans would get.

"Cathouse Red" crushed velour button-tufted seats and clearcoated red oak baseboard molding on the matching door panels just looked out of place in that type of vehicle to me.

They also made a "C150" version with either a 5.0 or 5.8L that was based on the F150. I don't remember ever seeing one though.

[NOBLNG]

On 2/4/2021 at 12:48 PM, NOBLNG said:

Interesting read. I’ve got to say I like the first generation best....and what they came up with for the second gen is much better looking than some of the early drawings.?

Actually, these might sell well in today’s market?  But back in the early 70’s....I don’t think so! Not nearly Macho enough for most Guys, and most women were not buyers in that niche.

[Joe Handley]

43 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Actually, these might sell well in today’s market?  But back in the early 70’s....I don’t think so! Not nearly Macho enough for most Guys, and most women were not buyers in that niche.

Considering how most trucks look, I’m not sure if the trucks from that era are macho enough now.

[NOBLNG]

32 minutes ago, Joe Handley said:

Considering how most trucks look, I’m not sure if the trucks from that era are macho enough now.

Those are not trucks in my mind.

[lordairgtar]

15 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Those are not trucks in my mind.

They are trucks. You might not think so but the manufacturer does and so do state DMV as they sometimes get licensed as trucks. I could have licensed my HHR Panels and my GMC Terrain as trucks in Wisconsin.

[Kromolly]

I owned both over the years, a '78 that I transplanted a 460 into, and a '76 with a 302.  I really kick myself for selling the '76 8-9 years ago.  Dumb.  Someone mentioned the lack of four doors, which doesn't seem important until you have kids.  I ended up selling my '78 after I got it just how I wanted it, because kids came along... bought a Suburban.  ?