1966 Ford Bronco Announcement Publicity Releases, Aug 1965

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Ford Bronco Publicity Release Archive: 1966 Ford Bronco Announcement

In August of 1965, Ford Motor Company released a series of PR's to announce the launch of the 1966 Ford Bronco.

Bronco Announcement Publicity Release 1965-8-11

Announcing the New 1966 Ford Bronco

This announcement from Ford created quite the stir in the automotive world. Ford was throwing their hat in the ring to compete with the Jeep CJ and International Scout as the sport utility market gained popularity.

Ford Division of Ford Motor Company launched the 1966 automotive model year with the announcement of a completely new line of four-wheel-drive vehicles called "Bronco." The new Ford Bronco is available in three body styles -- a sporty roadster (top), a roomy wagon (center and bottom) and a short-roof sports utility model. With standard two- and four-wheel drive, the Bronco is designed for use either on or off the highway. Equally at home on a steep grade or on a run to the shopping center, the Bronco combines ruggedness with economy, performance and comfort to make it a ready companion for work or play.

The new Ford Bronco will be in Ford dealer showrooms in September.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560

Bronco Roadster Model Publicity Release 1965-8-11

Optional Doors & Roof

For those who don't mind falling out of a vehicle when driving, you can save a few bucks by leaving out the optional doors and roof.

The 1966 Ford Bronco may be ordered in the basic open "roadster" model (above), a short-roof sports utility model, or a roomy wagon model. The roadster has no cab roof or doors and features a windshield which may be folded flat and secured to the hood. A bench seat is standard and half-doors are optional. A convertible vinyl top is optionally available to provide weather protection, fully covering the body. Other options and accessories are available to equip the Bronco for either work or play.

The new Ford Bronco will be in Ford dealer showrooms in September.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560

Bronco Roadster Model Publicity Release 1965-8-17

Really, Who Needs Doors?

In case you didn't get the message six days before, Ford wanted to remind you that you can buy the new 1966 Bronco in the popular "death trap" version.

The 1966 Ford Bronco may be ordered in the basic open "roadster" model (above), a short-roof sports utility model, or a roomy wagon model. The roadster has no cab roof or doors and features a windshield which may be folded flat and secured to the hood. A bench seat is standard and half-doors are optional. A convertible vinyl top is optionally available to provide weather protection, fully covering the body. Other options and accessories are available to equip the Bronco for either work or play.

The new Ford Bronco will be in Ford dealer showrooms in September.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560

Bronco Features Publicity Release 1965-8-17

"A Sporty Vehicle as well as a Utility Vehicle"

While the term SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) hadn't been coined just yet in 1965. Ford came awfully close to it with this astute description of its new Ford Bronco.

Dressed in smart-looking full disc wheel covers, the Bronco is a sporty vehicle as well as a utility vehicle. Addisional options such as front and rear chrome bumpers, chrome taillamp bezels and inside hand rails add a stylish flair. Twin bucket seats -- patterned after those on the famed Mustang -- are optional on all three Bronco models. Other options include radio, padded dash and sun visors, horn ring, cigar lighter, and electric windshield washers. An optional luggage rack may be ordered with the delivery or station wagon model.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#2

Bronco Features Publicity Release 1965-8-17

Feel the Power of a 170-cid, 105-hp Engine!

Touting the power of a 105-HP engine, the 1966 Ford Bronco would find itself somewhere between a Fiat 500 and a Toyota Yaris in today's power game.

The Bronco's 170-cubic-inch, 105-horsepower, six-cylinder engine, offered as standard equipment, is specially adapted for rugged use in off-highway operation. A special carburetor and fuel-pump combination provides a positive fuel supply under all conditions. A large, six-quart-capacity oil pan and special oil bath air cleaner assure proper lubrication. The clutch housing is cast iron for protection against terrain damage. Other power-train features include a manual, three-speed, fully synchronized transmission, and "through-drive" two-speed transfer case.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#2

Bronco Features Publicity Release 1965-8-17

It's "Weather-Snug" and "Lockable"!

No, it doesn't have GPS navigation or heated seats. But the new 1966 Ford Bronco will keep you from getting rained on... and you can lock it! (Unless you buy the "death trap" roadster version. See above)

Full doors, easy-to-operate roll-up windows and a bolt-on steel driver cab make the Bronco a weather-snug, lockable utility pickup. In warm weather, the steel top may be unbolted and removed. The full dooors are compatible with the optional vinyl top so that "convertible" protection from summer showers can be combined with the convenience of roll-up windows, if desired. (The Bronco's 32.8-cubic-foot pickup box capacity is the largest for any vehicle of its type.)

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Furd Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#4

Bronco Bench Seat Publicity Release 1965-8-17

Keep Your Spare Tire Clean

You may not have room in the back for groceries, but if you get a flat you can be sure your spare tire will be free from dust and dirt, saving you the embarrassment of a dirty tire!

Two-passenger, bench type rear seats may be ordered in combination with front bucket seats in the Bronco delivery or station wagon (above) and two other body styles. With this arrangement, the steel bulkhead is deleted to provide rear-seat access. The spare tire, normally mounted on the bulkhead, is then mounted on the interior of the tailgate, offering protection from dust and dirt.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#5

Bronco Maneuverability Publicity Release 1965-8-17

It Turns Handsomely

Its "handsome appearance and maximum maneuverability go hand-in-hand". What does that even mean? This feels like Ford was playing with a very early version of ChatGPT. Let the conspiracy begin!

The Bronco's handsome appearance and maximum maneuverability go hand-in-hand. A new 37-degree-turn front axle provides a minimum turning diameter. Even with its 92-inch wheelbase -- which offers added comfort and riding stability -- the Bronco can be turned in a 34-foot circle, curb to curb. In addition, constant-velocity, double-cardan universal joints permit a higher transfer case mounting position for maximum ground clearance at the center of the vehicle.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#6

Bronco Station Wagon Publicity Release 1965-8-17

Providing Normal and Abnormal Protection

Apparently, it wasn't normal in the 60's for bumpers to provide approach and departure protection for the chassis and sheet metal . Who knew?

The full-length steel roof on Bronco delivery and station wagon models fully encloses the unit and offers weather-tight driver and passenger comfort. Channel-type front and rear bumpers are standard on all Bronco models. In addition to providing normal protection, Bronco bumpers are designed to be the first point of contact in both "angle of approach" and the "angle of departure" to protect chassis components and sheet metal from possible damage when operating in severe terrain.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#7

Bronco Interior Publicity Release 1965-8-17

Comfortable Interior Featuring a Shift Lever

Yes, the early Bronco stock interior is unpretentious. But we think Ford could have come up with something more than 'It's got a shift lever!' At this point, they were just mailing it in.

This interior view of a Bronco short-roof pickup cab shows the twin bucket seats -- patterened after those in the famed Mustang -- which are optionally available in all Bronco models. A three-man bench seat, made practical by the Bronco's low tunnel, is standard equipment. The two-speed transfer case features a single, floor-mounted shift lever.

From the News Bureau
FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company
Rotunda Drive at Southfield Road
P. O. Box 608
Dearborn, Michigan
Telephone: 33-77560
#8

1966 Ford Bronco TV Commercial

Check out this amazing example of what a new car commercial should be as Ford reveals the new 1966 Ford Bronco!

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