Greenlight 1967 Ford Bronco

I can remember back in the early part of last decade: Not a whole lot of bronco's and when Hot Wheels Final Run'd the Ford Bronco from the 1980's (which was revived in 2013), there was a lot of hollerin' for someone to make a Bronco.  Come 2005 and Hot Wheels makes the Bronco concept...as a Blings!?!?!?!  Well shortly after that manufacturers listened and next thing you know various replica's of the 1966-77 Bronco's started to show up.  Now late to the party Greenlight produces their first Bronco and, come to think of it, 4x4-style truck.

Ford goes after Jeep, International Scout

The Jeep CJ post Word War II was gaining popularity for it's function and maneuverability not found in any other car or truck.  This led to the increase of 4x4 systems in pickups and eventually Jeep competitors.  The International Scout was the first, then in 1966 the Ford Bronco.  What's interesting about the Bronco is that, aside from the engine and axles, this was a completely new vehicle from the ground up.  The square sheet metal was designed for a purpose: to ease manufacturing costs.  Even the doors are identical save for the bracket and handle locations.  The front and rear axles come from the Ford F-series 4x4 trucks, and the Bronco rode on a ladder frame just like the trucks.  Engines started with the 2.8 I-6, but when International and later Chevy K5 Blazer started to offer V8 motors, Ford then offered 289 Windsor V8.  Choices for transmissions were 3-speed column-shift manual, 4-speed floor-shift manual, or an automatic.  With different open and closed top, pickup, roadster, and door-less versions, the Bronco started to gain a reputation with enthusiast that was quite similar to the Jeep's at the time.

Greenlight's buckin' horse

Now Greenlight offer's the classic Bronco in the Hollywood series for the movie "Zoolander", a movie I thought I never saw then later realized yes I did and, well, let's not get into it.  Even so, there was a Bronco in the film that I did not recall, but Greenlight did.

Painted in silver, this casting looks really good.  The front has blacked-out grille with white headlights.  The center grille where the FORD letters should be are blank, but graphic stamps should easily fixed that on later versions.  The tubular front bumper features dual driving lights.  The rear features detailed taillights, New York plate on the left and FORD letters on the right.  The sides feature open pass-thru doors, side marker lights and the Bronco logo.  The raised suspension is not to high and proportionally correct in terms of wheels/wheelwells (unlike the Johnny Lightning International Scout).  The axles and springs in the back are nicely done as well, so is the track arms, driveshaft, and the new wheels and tires that look perfect for this truck.  Note the base is even detailed and looks like it can accept normal ride-height version for future variations.

The interior feature a four-seat arrangement with rollbar in the back and a windshield in the front that I thought would fold down like a Jeep.  It doesn't, bummer.  The dash features three-spoke wheel, center gauges, and the transfer case shifter in the middle (note: if this was a floor-shifter manual transmission there would be two shifters).  The hood opens to reveal the Windsor V8 in blue with an interesting off-center air cleaner:  not sure why since usually motors at that period have the air cleaner right above the carburetor.   One thing I also noticed was mounting holes at the back of the vehicle for future hardtop variations.  Also look for a BAJA racer with center roof top and driving lights and a spare tire in the back.

 

Overall this Bronco is once nice casting, with the Hot Wheels '67 version being my next favorite.  Can't wait to see what else Greenlight has in store for this casting, but please no more Zoolander!