The Ford Bronco Montana Lobo was the SUV of the future in 1981
Five generations of the iconic truck, plus the Bronco II sideshow act, were produced between 1966 and 1996, but one outrageous concept for the SUV has been all but lost to history.
In 1981, Ford rolled out the Bronco Montana Lobo at the Chicago Auto Show, its name as wild as the vehicle it was applied to. The sci-fi-styled machine was a perfect example of the era’s realistic futurism, and would’ve looked equally at home in Venusville or Hill Valley, circa 2015.
With some irony, it was based on the 4×4 chassis of a 1977 Bronco, and powered by a 5.0-liter V8, but what they put on top of it was anything but old-school. Its edgy, mustard-gold bodywork sported a wedge-profile hood, raked-back windshield, roll bar, louvered side rails, a rooftop airfoil over off-road lights, and foam bumpers with an integrated winch.
Its most eye-popping features, however, were the removable, tinted Plexiglas bubble doors and T-top roof. Hemp fabric upholstery covered an open bed fitted with fold out bench seats along each side that could be accessed from the two-seat cabin via a patio-style sliding glass door.
As forward-thinking as it was bizarre, The Montana Lobo also had a retractable loading ramp built into the tailgate and body-side storage compartments that wouldn’t seem out of place on truck concepts today, while its ventilated seats and digital instruments are now SUV staples.
Sadly, the awesome exposed side-pipe exhausts on top of its running boards never made it onto any of Ford’s production trucks that followed, but, hey, the future’s not here…yet.
About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.