In 1980, Ford created a concept for a Bronco with bubble doors.

      Ford

      The latest car news and reviews, straightforward and without pretense.

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the most important stories right to your inbox every weekday.

      Concept cars used to be imaginative and fun. Nowadays, they're often just the initial phase of marketing for new production vehicles. However, in the past, automakers seemed more inclined to experiment with various concepts, regardless of their likelihood of reaching the market. For instance, consider when Ford incorporated every 1980s design element into the Bronco.

      Launched in 1980, the Bronco Montana Lobo concept was intended to give Ford’s off-roader a futuristic flair. That vision never came to fruition; following its public reveal, the Montana Lobo was mostly overlooked by Ford until the company shared about it on Instagram recently.

      As noted in the original press release (available in the outstanding Ford Heritage Vault), the Montana Lobo was built on a “pre-1977” Bronco frame, indicating it was based on the first generation. Ford released the second generation for the 1978 model year and had just introduced the third generation when the Montana Lobo appeared as part of Ford's showcase for the 1981 auto show circuit, a time when auto shows still held significant importance.

      "The Lobo represents much more than just a showcase vehicle," stated William H. Cramer, manager of Ford’s Advanced and International Design Center, which collaborated with the Italian design firm Ghia on the concept. "It embodies a collection of ideas and designs that may be utilized in future Ford four-wheel-drive vehicles."

      These ideas and designs included removable plexiglass bubble doors that could be swapped for webbing, T-tops, built-in storage compartments in the sides of its mini-pickup bed, and side exhausts seamlessly integrated with the running boards. A roll bar with lights and a whip antenna were standard features on any 1980s off-roader, while the front bumper's embedded winch remains a vital accessory regardless of era.

      Inside, the dashboard design was taken from the 1980 Ford Thunderbird and featured a digital instrument cluster that was innovative for its time. The black vinyl seats offered heating and ventilation—a common convenience today, but rare in the early 1980s. The bed had foldable seats and was lined with woven hemp, while the tailgate could serve as a ramp for easy cargo handling.

      The Montana Lobo was equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, propelling all-terrain tires mounted on 15-inch wheels. Measuring 188.9 inches in length, 75.4 inches in width, and 77.4 inches in height, the Montana Lobo was longer and taller than today’s base two-door Bronco, though significantly narrower. Its wheelbase of 107.3 inches was about seven inches longer than that of the current two-door Bronco.

      Ford never produced the Bronco with plexiglass bubble doors or a hemp-lined pickup bed, making the Montana Lobo concept even more intriguing. The collaboration between Ford and Ghia is mainly linked to passenger vehicles like the Probe series, so it’s fascinating to see that same design creativity applied to a Bronco. With the contemporary Bronco heavily focusing on its heritage, it's unlikely that Ford will attempt another futuristic interpretation in the near future.