Ford Goes Back to the Future with 1966 Tribute BroncosFord Goes Back to the Future with 1966 Tribute Broncos

2023 Bronco Heritage Editions revive design cues from the beloved original 1966 model

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

August 11, 2022

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2023 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Heritage Editions.Image courtesy of Ford Motor Co.

The age of nostalgia cars like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Volkswagen New Beetle, and Ford Thunderbird has ended, which left Ford trying to find the right balance of retro and contemporary when it debuted the revived Bronco off-roader last year. The safe bet was to look forward, so while the Bronco's silhouette recalls the original model from 1966, Ford designers avoided any overt throwback cues.

Having now established the Bronco as a legitimate contender in the burly SUV segment, now Ford designers have the flexibility to revisit some of those details for drivers who can't get enough of the classic design. In the early '00s, Ford was a leader in the "retrofuturism" design movement, with its 2002 two-seat Thunderbird, 2004 GT, and '69 Mustang-influenced 2005 Mustang. Consumers overdosed on nostalgia, so Ford's products have remained decidedly contemporary since the production of those models concluded.

But the Bronco and Bronco Sport Heritage Editions let those buyer who want to immerse themselves in the good ol' days while leaving the regular versions firmly planted in the present. It is available in both two- and four-door versions of the Bronco as well as the compact Bronco Sport, which is only available as a four-door. The company will build just 1,966 units of each to commemorate the year the Bronco debuted.

Related:2022 Ford Bronco Raptor

“With these new Heritage and Heritage Limited editions, we’re paying respect to Bronco’s roots with nods to some of the signature design cues from the first-generation vehicle, while continuing to build the Bronco Brand with more special editions that our customers want,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco marketing manager.

The compact Bronco Sport Heritage Edition starts at $34,245 and the Heritage Limited starts at $44,655. Pricing for the full-size Bronco Heritage starts at $44,305 and the Heritage Limited is priced at $66,895. For details on these cool throwback editions, click through the photo gallery.

 

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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