Book Review: Ford Bronco: A History of Ford’s Legendary 4X4, by Todd Zuercher

Ford Bronco: A History of Ford’s Legendary 4X4, by Todd Zuercher (forewards by James Duff and Parnelli Jones)

Publication: Cartech Inc.; April 15, 2019

About:

GIs returning after World War II created an entirely new automotive market niche when they bought surplus Jeeps and began exploring the rugged backcountry of the American West. This burgeoning market segment, which eventually became known as sport utility vehicles (SUVs), numbered about 40,000 units per year with offerings from Jeep, Scout, Toyota, and Land Rover. In 1966, Ford entered the fray with its Bronco, offering increased refinement, more power, and an innovative coil-spring front suspension. The Bronco caught on quickly and soon established a reputation as a solid backcountry performer. In Baja, the legendary accomplishments of racers such as Parnelli Jones, Rod Hall, and Bill Stroppe further cemented the bobtail’s reputation for toughness.

Ford moved upstream with the introduction of the larger Bronco for 1978, witnessing a huge increase in sales for the second-generation trucks. The Twin Traction Beam front end was introduced in the third generation, and further refinements including more aerodynamic styling, greater luxury, and more powerful fuel-injected engines came on board in the generations that followed. Through it all, the Bronco retained its reputation as a tough, versatile, and comfortable rig, both on and off the paved road. With the reintroduction of the Bronco for 2020, Ford is producing a vehicle for a whole new generation of enthusiasts that looks to bring modern styling and performance to the market while building on the 30-year heritage of the first five generations of the Bronco so dearly loved by their owners.

From the development process and details of the first trucks through the 1996 models, author Todd Zuercher shares technical details, rarely seen photos, and highlights of significant models along with the stories of those people whose lives have been intertwined with the Bronco for many years. This book will have new information for everyone and will be a must-have for longtime enthusiasts and new owners alike!

**My Review**

Let me get this out of the way – this is not what I typically read and review! Anyone who regularly follows my blog knows that I have reviewed maybe 3-4 nonfiction titles in the 3 1/2 years I have been blogging. So why now, you ask? I’ll just show you… 

That is my husband’s 89 Bronco that is a world of trouble, yet also his baby. So I saw a giveaway on LibraryThing for this book, and the rest is history!

Anyway, I am a person that devours fiction (especially women’s fiction and romance) but doesn’t typically want to read anything about car history. But let me tell you, this is an outstanding collection of facts, info, trivia, and photographs!

I was immediately captured by Todd Zuercher’s introduction in which he recalls an event regarding his mom and their 69 Bronco. Even better is a picture of that Bronco with his brother. The book immediately felt personal to me and not just a boring book about Broncos. Who knew he could do that so easily?

Sectioned by model years or multiple years of the same design, each chapter goes over all of the technical things that “car people” love including this chassis, engines, brakes, exterior/interior, etc. But coupled with all of the specs were little stories, bits of trivia, and so forth that made this a very entertaining read. 

My favorite part was something that neither my husband or I ever knew about – Ford Bronco Campers! Seeing as we are camper freaks, you can imagine my excitement when he showed me these ads featured in the book:

Of course, I immediately called my father asking if he remembered any of these being around when he was younger and like us, he had never seen or heard of a Broncette or any versions of the Bronco camper.

The combination of incredible historic photography, anecdotes, and ads such as the one above make this a hell of a coffee table book, and entertaining read, and truly a huge wealth of information. 

The hubby has already picked it up and looked at it several times, as have I. More importantly, I feel it is a book that each of us will look at again and again and one that others will certainly pick up when they come over and see it sitting in the living room.

Writing Ford Bronco: A History of Ford’s Legendary 4X4, was according to the author (who was reminded of this by his wife), a bucket-list item. I can say without a doubt based on my impression, my husband’s thoughts and comments, as well as, what I’ve seen of other reviews – that Todd Zuercher completely nailed this one. The bar has been raised in regards to this genre. It was a joy to receive this book, a pleasure to read, and an honor to review. 

*Thanks to the publisher and LibraryThing for awarding me this early reviewer copy in exchange for my honest review.

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