Lewis & Clark Ford Bronco II

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is kind of a shame they didn't offer up the new Bronco.

If it held up better than the Jeep that could have really changed the face of Camel Trophy...

 

[Jim Oaks]

It is kind of a shame they didn't offer up the new Bronco.

If it held up better than the Jeep that could have really changed the face of Camel Trophy...

The fullsize Bronco was the wrong fit. Bronco II was too small.

The Camel Trophy used Land Rovers with diesel engines. Diesels have a no spark ignition system to short out in deep water, deliver high torque at low speeds and have superior fuel efficiency.

I think the 1991 Ford Explorer would have been cool though. Vinyl seats, rubber floor instead of carpet. No frills. Manual hubs.

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Explorer vs Bronco II

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[Jim Oaks]

If only Lewis and Clark had a mini bike.

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Could you imagine Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels playing Lewis & Clark in a movie?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The fullsize Bronco was the wrong fit. Bronco II was too small.

The Camel Trophy used Land Rovers with diesel engines. Diesels have a no spark ignition system to short out in deep water, deliver high torque at low speeds and have superior fuel efficiency.

I think the 1991 Ford Explorer would have been cool though. Vinyl seats, rubber floor instead of carpet. No frills. Manual hubs.

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Explorer vs Bronco II

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By the time the Explorer came out they were pretty much locked into Land Rover, they weren't jumping ship.

When Ford did the off brand Jeep they had a chance.

The lack of a diesel option would have been a downer for sure. Diesel is easier to find abroad and has a better shelf life as well.

 

[Jim Oaks]

The U50 was way to small and not a very good vehicle. I would have much rather had the Land Rover.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The U50 was way to small and not a very good vehicle. I would have much rather had the Land Rover.

Rover was the ones to beat globally at the time until Toyota took over.

Ford seems content to sit on the sidelines for most of history, they are not highly thought of outside of North America.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Rover was the ones to beat globally at the time until Toyota took over.

Ford seems content to sit on the sidelines for most of history, they are not highly thought of outside of North America.

Ford exported the Explorer to Europe from 1992-1994 to compete with the Range Rover and Discovery, but it failed. The closest Ford ever came to competing with Land Rover was when they owned it from 2000-2008. They also owned Jaguar during this time which is why my 2005 Jaguar XJ8 is overwhelmed with wiring harnesses and modules. Ford built some interesting cars in Europe, but trucks and SUV's wasn't its thing. They mostly built cars, wagons, and weird vans.

I think Ford has followed the market more than they've lead it.