A History of the Legendary 4 x 4 Ford Bronco
Includes Sport, Explorer, Ranger, Stroppe, Free Wheeling Editions, Big Oly, and Bronco II
by Todd Zuercher
Ford Motor Company put its best corporate policies and procedures into practice—careful and thorough market research followed by product planning including design and engineering development—prior to debuting the Bronco in 1966. What no one could have foreseen is that by the 2020s SUVs would be the dominant market segment for practically all vehicle manufacturers.
It is very obvious that, similarly, thought, planning, and effort went into chronicling this detailed History of the Legendary 4 X 4 Ford Bronco for the book is comprehensive in its coverage and nicely written, edited and illustrated. And the timing of its publication couldn’t be better because after a twenty-five year hiatus since Bronco production ended in 1996, Ford Motor Company announced it is bringing Bronco back which has set the motoring press abuzz.
The book’s author, Todd Zuercher, has been a Bronco enthusiast for at least 40 years and that includes owning his own vintage Bronco plus the literature and other documentary materials he’s accumulated. He shares that knowledge on the pages of this book in a lucid and organized manner aided by skilled editing of Wes Eisenschenk, author of his own Car Tech-published book Lost Muscle Cars.
Everything Bronco is presented in chronological order, a chapter for each iteration, i.e. ’67 to 69, ’70 to ’72, ’73 to ’75, and so forth up to the last model years ’92 to ’96. Then there’s an additional chapter for the Bronco II which was a slightly downsized version of the Bronco produced from 1984 to 1990. The book’s concluding chapter covers the “fun stuff” of ”Broncos in Competition.” Think Bill Stroppe, Parnelli Jones, autocross, drag racing, monster trucks, and more.
Chapters cover production statistics, variations and mechanical and suspension features as well as changes in interiors and “creature comforts.” Sidebars augment that main information with additional technical material, Bronco collectors, special or specially equipped one-offs, and other interesting asides.
Now with Bronco soon to be making more history with the new 2021 Bronco and Bronco Sport models, someday there may be a sequel or second volume. For the present this book is as fine and comprehensive a recounting as one could ask for while simultaneously being interesting and readable. And with generous illustrations and the good print quality of publisher Car Tech, this hardbound book will please all interested in Bronco’s story to date.
Copyright 2020, Helen V. Hutchings (speedreaders.info).
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