There are very few vehicles that inspire genuine obsession. The Ford Bronco is one of them. From its debut as a compact 4×4 off-roader in 1966 to its triumphant 2021 return as a Jeep Wrangler rival built for the modern adventure driver, the Bronco has never simply been a vehicle. It has been a statement of intent.
Born Wild: The Original 1966–1977 Bronco
When Ford launched the first-generation Bronco in August 1965 as a 1966 model year vehicle, it had one clear target: the Jeep CJ-5 and the International Scout. What it built was something with its own distinct character — a short-wheelbase, four-wheel drive utility vehicle offered as a Wagon, Roadster, or Half-Cab, powered initially by a 170ci inline six and soon by a 289ci V8.
Racing legend Bill Stroppe took the Bronco off-road and turned it into a Baja winner, with drivers like Parnelli Jonesand Rod Hall cementing its motorsport credentials in the desert. The Bronco Ranger trim brought a degree of interior refinement, but this was always fundamentally a go-anywhere machine — one that earned its following through ability rather than image.
Production of the first generation ran until 1977, giving way to a full-size platform that carried the Bronco name through to 1996. Today, a clean first-gen wagon regularly achieves $40,000–$100,000 at US auction, with the legendary 1969 ‘Big Oly’ off-road racer — Parnelli Jones’ Baja 1000 weapon — selling for $1.87 million in 2021.
The 25-Year Hiatus and the Return
After a 25-year absence, Ford brought the Bronco back for the 2021 model year, and the reception was extraordinary. Built on a separate-chassis platform and conceived as a direct Jeep Wrangler alternative, the new Bronco wore its heritage proudly — the design team digitally scanned a 1976 first-gen as a reference point. Removable doors, a removable roof, and a go-anywhere G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) system brought the original philosophy bang up to date.
The 2025 Bronco: Every Variant Explained
The current Bronco lineup spans seven trims: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition, and the flagship Bronco Raptor. Engine choices range from a 300bhp 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder to a 330bhp 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6, with the Raptor using an exclusive 418bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6. All models feature a 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Sasquatch Package — heavy-duty 35-inch tyres, locking front and rear differentials, and the HOSS suspension system — is the definitive off-road upgrade, transforming the already-capable Badlands into something genuinely extraordinary.
For UK buyers, the Bronco is not officially sold in right-hand drive, but specialist importer Clive Sutton in London can source left-hand-drive examples. The 2025 Stroppe Edition is a particular collector draw — a two-door-only variant honouring the original Bill Stroppe Baja cars, finished in Code Orange with race-themed badging and matte black wheels.
Buying a Classic Bronco in the UK
Importing a first-gen 1966–1977 Bronco is increasingly popular among UK enthusiasts. As left-hand-drive vehicles over 40 years old, they are exempt from UK type approval, eligible for age-related plates, and can be enjoyed with the confidence of a rapidly appreciating asset. Key checks: frame condition (rust is the main enemy), engine originality (V8 cars command a premium), and whether the body tub is steel or a fibreglass replacement.
The Right Insurance for a Bronco
Whether you’re running a new Bronco Raptor as a weekend adventure vehicle, importing a first-gen classic, or both, standard policies rarely reflect either the Bronco’s true value or the specialist cover it deserves.
QuoteZone makes it easy to compare specialist quotes for your Ford Bronco, any other vehicles you own — classic or modern — and every car in your household, all from one search.
Built Wild. Sixty years on, the Bronco is still the benchmark everything else gets measured against.
Use the QuoteZone link on this page to compare insurance for your Bronco and every other vehicle you own — tailored cover for whatever terrain you choose to conquer.
