"We're five years in now with the new model, they're still popular with people. You see them all over the place," said Todd Zuercher, noted Bronco historian and author on the vehicle's history.
Now, a special version of the 2025 Bronco pays tribute to a Bronco visionary back in the day, Bill Stroppe. It wears the iconic race builder's color scheme of an orangey shade of red, white and dark metallic blue.
Zuercher says Stroppe's long motorsports legacy was further cemented in desert racing, taking the Bronco off-roading with the pros in events like the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 shortly after the vehicle first arrived for the 1966 model year.
"He got involved immediately with Ford, and the victories started very quickly with him and his team," Zuercher said.
Much like Carroll Shelby did for Ford-powered sports cars, race cars, and Mustangs back in the 1960s, though Stroppe worked less in the public eye. Not quite the flashy showman that Shelby was.
The new 2025 Stroppe model is actually the second go-round for a tribute Bronco in those bold colors.
From 1971 to 1975, a customer could go into a Ford dealer and order a Baja Bronco, shipped by Ford to the Stroppe and Associates shop near Long Beach for modifications.
Today, restored examples of the rare Baja Broncos easily sell for six figures.
"In the past eight or 10 years, they've really gone into the stratosphere in terms of pricing," said Zuercher.
This new Stroppe Edition has the heritage look and also the hardware to tackle rough terrain. But like other new Broncos, it's reasonably comfortable for street use.
You just need to remember that no matter where you are, you'll probably be noticed. This special edition also sits near the top of the Bronco pricing strata; the base MSRP is $77,530 though it's already pretty loaded with features and there are few options.
If a company had a model that's got some heritage behind it, it's a wise move to show that off. That's especially true when it comes to four-wheel-drive vehicles, and Ford is not alone in doing so.
When Toyota brought back the Land Cruiser last year - another off-road icon - they decided that the base model would be called "1958," and feature round headlights and other subtle touches that recall the look of the first Land Cruiser the company sold when just beginning US sales operations.
And Jeep is continually reaching into its heritage, with models that evoke a look of the brand's history. The limited edition 2025 Wrangler Willys '41 pays tribute to the legendary Jeeps of World War Two.
These days, it's tough to stand out if you drive an SUV, as they're so ubiquitous. But the new tri-colored Stroppe Edition Bronco definitely stands out. And some people will know right off the bat just how special it is.