The Name "Bronco"

[eaglenest66]

So it's been awhile since I posted anything on CB here. Have something for fun to think about! Ford gave it's first suv the legendary name "Bronco". Truly an iconic name in today's vehicle collector world. Any idea if there were other names in the running back then? If so, can you please post?!

And now for fun, what name(s) can you come up with that would be awesome to use instead of "Bronco"?

 

[72_EB]

Glad it didn't get named the Nova (even though some of ours can relate to that sometimes). ;D

Bronco is appropriate. Made me think of this clip this am.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR84m4Dwmiw
Those two cowboys wheelin' at the beginning never gets old.

 

[garberz]

It was named after a Mustang drag race car, the guy had ties to the factory, his car was named Bronco because it bucked down the strip. I read the story a while back. Todd Z will have the exact particulars on this.

Mark

 

[toddz69]

The famed auto writer Tom McCahill noted in his first test of the Bronco for one of the magazines that Ford initially called it the 'Goat' but I've never been able to find another mention of that or confirmation of it in any of the few Ford documents that exist about the Bronco's development.

It seems like the name Bronco is appropriate since Ford already had the Mustang and Don Frey noted as such in his initial remarks to the press at its introduction - "the Mustang has a new stablemate..." or words to that effect.

Todd Z.

 

[toddz69]

It was named after a Mustang drag race car, the guy had ties to the factory, his car was named Bronco because it bucked down the strip. I read the story a while back. Todd Z will have the exact particulars on this.

Mark

That's a story I've never heard! I'd like to hear more about it!

Todd Z.

 

[surfer-b]

Not sure about the name but whoever the person or team that was in charge of naming new autos at Ford must have been a horse/animal person, think of all the Ford autos that were named after horses and other animals. There was the Bronco, Mustang, Pinto, Maverick, Bobcat, Lynx, Cougar, Cobra, Falcon, Thunderbird, and Raptor, those were the ones I can think of, there may have been others. I know the Mustang was probably named after the plane but its still a Horse

 

[sykanr0ng]

In Australia and maybe other countries there have been three different SUVs sold under the name Maverick, so it wouldn't surprise me if Maverick was in the running for the name of what ended up as the Bronco.
The Maverick car was not made until the 1970 model year.

 

[half cab]

That's a story I've never heard! I'd like to hear more about it!

Todd Z.

That story was in Bronco Driver a few yrs back. Had a picture of said mustang.

 

[toddz69]

That story was in Bronco Driver a few yrs back. Had a picture of said mustang.

Interesting. Now if only I knew which issue it was in.

Timing-wise - I don't know if the story hold water or not though. A Mustang drag car would have been mid '64 or later and Ford documents exist from late '63 or early '64 with the Bronco name already mentioned so I don't think it was named after the car.

Todd Z.

 

[txtruk15]

Glad it didn't get named the Nova (even though some of ours can relate to that sometimes). ;D

Bronco is appropriate. Made me think of this clip this am.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR84m4Dwmiw
Those two cowboys wheelin' at the beginning never gets old.

that's a very cool clip, I've never seen that before - thx for sharing

 

[half cab]

Issue 52 Todd. Pg.33 by Vince Jones and Dick Brannon

 

[garberz]

Interesting. Now if only I knew which issue it was in.

Timing-wise - I don't know if the story hold water or not though. A Mustang drag car would have been mid '64 or later and Ford documents exist from late '63 or early '64 with the Bronco name already mentioned so I don't think it was named after the car.

Todd Z.

That was my thought too, when I read the story. I’m just glad half cab could back up my recollection.

Mark

 

[half cab]

Yawl may think I'm crazy but the stack stays close.

 

[toddz69]

Issue 52 Todd. Pg.33 by Vince Jones and Dick Brannon

Thanks! I'll try and look it up tonight.

Todd Z.

 

[MarsChariot]

Just think, it could have been the Palomino ... or Quarter Horse... or Appaloosa... or Nooitgedachter%)... or....

 

[toddz69]

I found the story and read it - it says they finished the car in early '65 and the unnamed executive met with them after that to talk using the Bronco name.

I did a quick search tonight and found this document from Feb. '64 when Ford was already using the name Bronco in its documentation.

So I'm going to chalk it up to 'a good story' at this point.

Todd Z.

 

[garberz]

I found the story and read it - it says they finished the car in early '65 and the unnamed executive met with them after that to talk using the Bronco name.

I did a quick search tonight and found this document from Feb. '64 when Ford was already using the name Bronco in its documentation.

So I'm going to chalk it up to 'a good story' at this point.

Todd Z.

I knew you would have something on this, thanks for sharing that.

Mark

 

[half cab]

My goodness that is early. Thanks for taking the time to find that and post it.

 

[DirtDonk]

In the Ford video, anyone notice how well the roadster door inserts fit?
Always was jealous of the factory fitted ones!
And doors that close by simply letting it go after a swing without having to physically push it all the way to latching too of course.

Paul

 

[Jakedog]

Thank goodness it wasn't the burro!