Earlier this year at an auto show in the U.S. car-capital of Detroit, Ford made an announcement that whetted the appetites of many: The Bronco will return to Ford’s lineup as a midsize 4x4 in 2020. Discontinued in 1996, OJ Simpson famously owned a Bronco during the truck’s 30-year run. And the Juice knows something about running — he rushed for more than 11,000 yards in the NFL.

The Ford Bronco is a midsize 4x4 utility for those looking for a nice getaway from the city. In anticipation of the forthcoming incarnation, here’s a recap of our favorite Broncos from the past.

Generation I: 1966

Upon inception, the Ford Bronco had no predecessor. It was neither a derivative of an in-house model nor mimicking the design of competitors — the frame, suspension and body were all conceived from the chassis up. The first set of 1966 Ford Broncos off the line had 170ci six-cylinder engines until 289ci V-8s were added in March 1966. The only thing separating these engines from those in Ford’s Mustangs was that the Ranger had an off-road carburetor. The 200 horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque gave the Bronco a solid combination of speed and power. The style was fairly simple, with flat glass and straight bumpers giving the compact SUV a classic and timeless look.

Generation II: 1979

The second generation Ford Bronco appeared in 1978–79, and was full-sized rather than compact. It was modeled as a shortened version of Ford’s F-100 pickup truck and was the last Bronco generation to offer a solid front Monobeam axle. The new Broncos used the U150 base model code and sat on a 104-inch wheelbase. All told, it gained more than 1,000 pounds but only added 15 horsepower. This helped those looking to take the Bronco off-road, since the heavier weight would support the vehicle slowly crawling over the terrain. Further, the 1979 is one of the easiest big engines to replace — many enthusiasts convert the base 351/400m V-8 to a 429/460m V-8 engine.

Generation III: 1980

1980’s Generation III Bronco redesign maintained the ability to head off road but, after the energy crisis of the 1970s, was modeled to be lighter, emissions-friendly and more fuel efficient. Ford offered an independent front suspension for the Bronco, called Twin-Traction Beam, which was the only 4x4 this was available for. The engine options were the 300 cubic-inch straight 6, a 302 V-8, and a 351m V-8. Two models were available: the Bronco Custom and a more luxurious version, the Bronco XLT. The very popular Eddie Bauer trim package would be introduced to this generation in 1985. Electronic and automatic capabilities were introduced during this generation to either the delight or ire of various Bronco owners.

Generation IV: 1991

In 1987, the Ford Bronco model changed to an aerodynamic front end body style with bigger square headlights and nose. The engine options remained the same as Generation III, and by 1988 every Bronco was installed with electronic fuel injection. The 3-speed automatic transmission in years past made way for an E4OD 4-speed automatic for 1990. 1991 offered a Silver Anniversary special edition for 2,500 Broncos to celebrate the truck’s 25th year. They were painted Currant Red and had a plush, leather-appointed silver gray interior and captain’s chairs. The special edition was only available with a V-8 engine and automatic transmission.

Generation V: 1996

The 1993 White Ford Bronco that OJ Simpson used as a getaway vehicle was viewed by nearly 100 million people. The vehicle became deeply ingrained in the cultural conscience in a way that evoked the bygone days years later, after the Bronco. Nostalgia for a pre-OJ world. The styling in these years blended the desires of daily drivers and weekend off-road folks while providing the most ergonomical option among the five generations. There was a new front wrap and instrument panel, and it also added 4-wheel ABS to allow steering while braking. The same trim options were available, but a Nite option for the XLT offered a blacked-out exterior. The 1996 Bronco added mirrors which displayed turn-signal pointers in the glass surface, an industry first. Four-door SUVs were making headway into the market and thus the Bronco’s days were numbered. Ford replaced the Bronco with the Expedition in 1997.

Until now! We can hardly wait for the 2020 Bronco. Seems reasonable to hope for details to start leaking out well ahead of the release date.

The five generations of Broncos have made truck collecting memorable, and the news of a new generation of Broncos will only cement its reputation as one of the toughest, most dependable, best-performing vehicles for off-roading enthusiasts.

Find Broncos and thousands of other vehicles for sale at KSL Cars.

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