Ford Bronco history: six generations from the 1966 original to the 2021 return

Ford Bronco history

Ford's planners began the Bronco in 1963 after research found Jeep and International Harvester Scout owners unhappy with comfort, ride and power. Designer McKinley Thompson drew the first sketches that July, and Don Frey introduced the finished vehicle on August 11, 1965. It came as a Roadster, Sports Utility or Wagon, with a 105-hp 170-cubic-inch six, a three-speed manual and four-wheel drive; a 289 V8 followed in March 1966.

The first generation stayed largely unchanged through 1977. For 1978 the Bronco moved to a larger platform shared with the F-Series, with V8 power only, and Ford says it sold more than 180,000 in two years. Later generations added independent front suspension (1980), fuel injection and rear anti-lock brakes (1987) and a driver's airbag (1994). The smaller Ranger-based Bronco II ran alongside it from 1984 to 1990.

The last Bronco of the original run was built at Michigan Truck Plant on June 12, 1996. After a 25-year gap Ford revived the name for 2021 with two- and four-door models built for off-road use, plus a separate, smaller Bronco Sport.[1],[2],[3],[5],[9]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The 1966 Bronco's standard engine was a 105-hp 170-cubic-inch six with a three-speed manual; the 289 V8 became available on March 2, 1966.
• For 1973 a 200-cubic-inch six replaced the 170, and a 302 V8 was offered with a three-speed automatic.
• The 2021 Bronco launched with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four (270 hp, 310 lb-ft), available with a seven-speed manual, and a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 (310 hp, 400 lb-ft).
• Ford's 2026 Bronco page lists the 2.3 at 300 hp, the 2.7 at 330 hp and the Bronco Raptor's 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 at 418 hp.

Sources:[1],[6],[7]

What changed, generation by generation

1. 1965Introduced August 11, 1965 as a 1966 model in Roadster, Sports Utility and Wagon form.
2. 1966289 V8 option added in March.
3. 1973200 six and 302 V8 with automatic transmission.
4. 1978Full-size second generation on F-Series hardware, V8 only.
5. 1980Third generation on the F-150 platform with independent front suspension.
6. 1984Smaller Bronco II arrives (to 1990).
7. 1987Fourth generation adds electronic fuel injection and rear anti-lock brakes.
8. 1992Fifth generation; driver's airbag added for 1994.
9. 1996Last original Bronco built June 12 at Michigan Truck Plant.
10. 2021Bronco returns after 25 years as two- and four-door models; Bronco Sport sold separately.

Sources:[1],[2],[4],[5],[9]

What to check before you buy one

• On early Broncos, confirm what is original. Many have been restored or modified, and the serial number and door data plate show the factory engine and body style.
• On 1966–1996 trucks, inspect floors, rocker panels and body mounts for rust, and look closely at frame repairs on trucks used off-road.
• On a 2021-or-later Bronco, confirm the engine, trim and Sasquatch package from the window sticker or build record rather than the badges, since wheels and tires are often swapped.
• Check that removable roof and door panels are included and seal properly.
• Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for open recalls.

Model-specific problems by generation are tracked on our Ford Bronco known issues page. Engine guides: 2.7L EcoBoost V6.

Ford Bronco prices and values

At its July 2020 reveal, the 2021 Bronco two-door started at $29,995 and the four-door at $34,695, both including a $1,495 destination charge. Ford.com showed no starting price for the 2026 Bronco when checked in November 2026, so no current MSRP is listed.[7],[8],[10]

Medians of asking prices, not transaction prices; every trim is blended, so performance variants usually sit well above these medians. "Below new median" compares each model year's median used listing with the median listing price of a new 2026 Bronco 4-Door today. More in our Ford Bronco 4-Door depreciation study.

How to verify a Ford Bronco's factory options

A Bronco's value depends heavily on factory equipment: engine, transmission (the seven-speed manual), the Sasquatch package, locking differentials and roof type. The build record confirms what the truck was ordered with, which matters because Broncos are so often modified.

17-character VINs became standard for model year 1981 (49 CFR 565). Broncos from 1981 on have them; 1966–1980 Broncos carry shorter Ford serial numbers.[11],[12]

For pre-1981 cars, the door data (warranty) plate carries the original factory codes, and The Henry Ford's Benson Ford Research Center in Dearborn holds extensive Ford Motor Company historical collections.