The return of the Ford Bronco nameplate after a 25-year hiatus was one of the most hotly discussed and eagerly awaited events in the Automotive World. It returned when SUV sales were at an all-time high, but few genuine off-road-ready SUVs were available. So, it's easy to see why the new Bronco has been so successful with its rugged, truck-based SUV design and outstanding off-road performance. But, much of the hype is attributed to the vintage Ford Bronco, which rightfully earned its accolades as one of the most iconic off-road models.

On the back of the Mustang's success, Ford introduced the Bronco in 1965 as a Multi-Purpose Vehicle. That was before the term SUV existed, and few American vehicles could handle sports and utility besides the Jeep CJ and the International Harvester Scout. Unlike the bare-bone military-grade approach with the Jeep, Ford built the Bronco to handle everything and go everywhere. It was the first real SUV and a standout feature in the American automotive folklore. Here's why off-road enthusiasts should buy a vintage Ford Bronco.

9 Vintage Broncos Are Simple And Easy To Fix

1988 Ford Bronco II XLT
via BaT

While the Bronco was a new design, Ford used several generic parts and parts from other vehicles in their lineups to keep it cheap and easy to fix. This was one of the main reasons why the Bronco was so successful. While each generation came in a unique package with changes in body style, transmission, and engine, the Bronco remained true to its simple mechanics.

1966 Ford Bronco rear third quarter view
Via: Ford

Thanks to advanced technology, modern vehicles are complicated and hard to work on. But, the simplicity of the Vintage Bronco makes it a great truck for an off-road hobbyist.

RELATED: This Is The All-Electric Ford Bronco Restomod Of Our Dreams

8 Vintage Ford Broncos Offer Wide Room For Restomodding

Big Oly Ford Bronco Sells At Mecum Auctions
via YouTube

Old Broncos are some of the most popular vehicles in the Resto-Modding community, thanks to their wide room for perfection. Today, Ford-certified companies like Gateway Bronco are exclusively dedicated to restomodding classic Ford Broncos into more powerful, more reliable vehicles with more luxurious interiors.

1969 Ford Bronco Nicknamed 'Big Oly'
via: YouTube @ HotCars

With a war chest full of dollars and a wild imagination, you can repair, modify, and upgrade a Bronco to your liking. We've witnessed incredible Bronco builds that seamlessly bridge the gap between the past and future. Projects vary from EV conversions to monstrous V8s like Jay leno's Shelby GT500 powered Bronco pushing 760 ponies under the hood.

7 Vintage Broncos Offers Lots Of Ground Clearance

Classic red Ford Bronco
Via: Ford

The new photo Bronco provides 11.6 inches of ground clearance which is more than an inch more than the Wrangler Rubicon. The vintage Bronco was even more impressive, with a ground clearance of 13.3 inches.

1966 Ford Bronco side view
Via: Bring a Trailer

Also, the great approach and departure angles made it a breeze to get over rocks and steep inclines. And the Bronco's tall ride height provided better visibility.

6 Vintage Ford Broncos Feature Standard Four-Wheel Drive

1972-ford-bronco-explorer-rear-1
Via: Bringatrailer

Having a Four-wheel-drive system is the first requirement for all-terrain capability. All new Bronco models come with standard four-wheel-drive, a key differentiator from the Jeep, which offers front-wheel and rear-wheel drive models alongside their 4-wheelers. Ford has maintained this trend from the beginning from the vintage Bronco, making it a great choice for an off-road enthusiast.

Ford Bronco
Via BringaTrailer

The first-generation Bronco came in three models with an option of 3-speed transmission or a 3-speed auto. With the optional 298-V8 engine, you'd send more power to all wheels than the competition.

RELATED: Ford Adds A Touch Of The ‘60s With The New Retro 2023 Bronco Heritage Edition Models

5 Vintage Ford Broncos Feature A Trail-Friendly Design

1972-ford-bronco-explorer
Via: Bringatrailer

The Bronco proved more comfortable and driver-friendly on the road than the Jeep. Off the road, it did have another welcome advantage over its rivals. It had a narrow body, a shorter wheelbase, and better turning diameter than the Jeep CJ, international harvester scout, the Chevy blazer, and the GMC Jimmy.

1996 Bronco
Ford

It was a trail-friendly design that made it nimble on the trails and capable of navigating obstacles that bigger-sized opponents couldn't avoid. Also, it had a wider track width making it more stable.

4 The Vintage Bronco Was An F-Series Underneath

1972-ford-bronco-explorer-front
Via: Bringatrailer

The F Series trucks are arguably the most beloved and iconic models Ford has ever, with more than seven decades of uninterrupted production. Being the best-selling vehicle in the USA for more than forty years cements the vehicle's reputation. When Ford first built the Bronco, they based it on a model-specific chassis. But soon, they'd turn to the future best-seller's chassis.

Orange 1977 Ford Bronco - Front Angle
Mecum Auctions

The move to the F-Series chassis helped the second-gen Bronco mop into a full-size SUV over two feet long and a foot wider than the first generation. Also, it received all the upgrades that the popular truck got.

RELATED: Here's What The 1966 Ford Bronco Costs Today

3 Vintage Ford Broncos Came With A Topless Option

Red 1977 Ford Bronco - Front Angle
Mecum Auctions

Most Bronco shippers refuse to let go of the early model nostalgia because they are the only ones offering the option to go Topless. Two of the original trims, the half cab truck, and the wagon, featured the removable hardtop roof. The short-lived open-body Roadster trim didn't come with a roof or doors. They offered an immersive off-road experience, Allowing drivers to let their hair fly on sunny afternoons.

1974 Ford Bronco
via: Mecum

To improve safety ratings, Ford made it virtually impossible to remove the hardtop and made it a fixed roof by the fifth generation. So, you will have to go for an earlier model if you want an open-air experience from your vintage Bronco.

2 Vintage Ford Broncos Have A Proven Off-Road Record

1966 Ford Bronco front third quarter view
Via: Ford

The Ford Bronco was the first ever production 4x4 vehicle to win the Baja 1000 in 1969, followed by back-to-back wins in 1971 and 1972 with the iconic Big Oly, which is currently the most valuable Bronco ever. This is one of the many off-road racing events where the Bronco displayed its rugged dominance.

1966 Ford Bronco pickup rear third quarter view
Via: Ford

Over the years, The Bronco kept stacking its off-road reputation and earned a diehard fan base. Numerous examples prove that you can further enhance the Bronco's off-road capabilities with some quality mods.

RELATED: Here's How Much A Classic 1960s Ford Bronco Is Worth Today

1 A Vintage Ford Bronco Is A Good Investment

Sydney Sweeney Rebuilds A Classic 1969 Ford Bronco
Via: Instagram ebaymotors

More than five decades since the original Bronco came out, few SUVs receive more attention on the street or higher prices on the collector market. When new, the Bronco went for just two grand. Today it is a valuable collector, with average values creeping towards the $100,000 mark.

Lady Gaga Ford Bronco
Via The Mirror

Ford built the Bronco to last, and it's not unusual to see the vintage vehicle on the roads, more than 25 years since the last one rolled off the assembly line. They are reliable and easy to use for vintage cars, and their value is on the rise, making them good investments.