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How would you define an icon? If you are like most people, you would probably describe it as something important historically, something with value that extends over time? If you were to use this logic, then the Ford Bronco is an automotive icon.
8-Part Podcast Studies Iconic Brand
The original Bronco went on sale more than 50 years ago in 1965. It was Ford's competition for the Jeep CJ and the International Scout. The critical difference was that the Bronco was a two-door, and it featured 4X4. Its original lines were squarish and very vertical, just like today's revival of this iconic brand.
Until today getting a classic Bronco was a matter of luck and watching places like eBay or Craigslist or using one of the auto auction services where prices are hugely expensive. Indeed, about the only way one would get a reasonably priced Bronco today is if you were part of the right relative's will. All of this indicates why Bronco's are, indeed, icons.
But, why is the Bronco the icon that it is? In a couple of days, you can find out as Ford will debut "Bring Back Bronco," an eight-part podcast series about the history of the Ford Bronco. If you are interested, you can see a trailer of the podcast by clicking here and signing up for notifications on the preferred podcast app when each new episode debuts. The podcast debuts Monday.
The podcast host is former National Public Radio transportation and economics correspondent Sondari Glinton. The podcast takes a journalistic approach to tell the story of Bronco – from its birth until its cancellation in 1996. The podcast goes into things like a somewhat notorious 1994 police chase, as well as employee efforts to bring back Bronco vehicles this year. The podcast is the story of a uniquely American SUV.
8-Part Podcast Studies Ins, Outs Of Bronco
"The Bronco is an iconic vehicle, with an unusual history of twists and turns, ascents and descents," said Mark Truby, Ford's chief communications officer. "It demands a fresh storytelling approach to shed light on what makes it special and compelling to its huge fan base, as well as for new fans who will discover the rich history along with the new Broncos."
The narrative of Bronco runs in parallel to seismic shifts in American car culture, social politics, and the transformation of Detroit, all of which is illuminated by Glinton and guest storyteller and Detroit history expert Bailey Sisoy-Moore. Besides the commentators, the podcast will interview people inside and outside Ford who have been part of Bronco's history and rebirth in 2020. "The Bronco is on a very short list of American vehicles that provide a true lens through which you can view the changes in the fabric of America," Truby continued.
Produced by the award-winning podcast agency Pacific Content with GTB, the bi-weekly podcast unearths some mind-blowing stories. The stories include the diligence of the "Bronco Underground," a band of Ford employees who planned, worked and toiled for more than two decades to bring the Bronco back to Ford showrooms.
"This project was of special interest to me for several reasons, including the fact that my mother worked for Ford for many years, and I worked on a Ford assembly line before I went into radio and reporting," Glinton enthused. Glinton is now a principal of DeLite Media. "Plus, I think you can really tell the story of America when you dig deep and tell the story of a product, and I have always wanted to do that."
8-Part Podcast Includes Interviews With Many
The podcast includes interviews with those who have observed the Bronco life and legend. For example, there are interviews with racers, restorers, a legendary Baja racer, and one person who took a Bronco to the Arctic Circle, plus 10 Ford executives who have been part of the journey to bring the Bronco back.
"Bring Back Bronco" is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and everywhere listeners find their favorite podcasts. You might wonder why the new series is beginning on Aug. 10. It's simple: the date is the eve of the iconic vehicle's birthday.
You can find bonus content, including historic photos, documents, early sketches of the original Bronco, and the 2021 Broncos and more on the site supporting the podcast. You will also find oral histories from Ford employees and Broncophiles at the site, as well. It is www.broncopodcast.ford.com. The added content will be available on Monday.
Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One was that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Most of Marc's stories can be found at Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.
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