Other manufacturers had pioneered the format before the Bronco. Others had even applied the "sport utility" name to their products before the Bronco. But Ford's Bronco, when it hit the scene in late 1965, was the first to combine the two and open wide the four-wheeling market-and then later take that market into luxury territory. Starting later this month, a number of celebrations will mark the off-roader's upcoming 50th anniversary.

When Ford introduced the Bronco on October 1, 1965, it did everything in its power to tie the trucklet to the Mustang, hoping to capitalize on the pony car's incredible success. Ford's ads described the Bronco as the Mustang's stablemate and called the Bronco "a new kind of sports car with four-wheel drive."

Learn what four-wheel drive did for this pony SUV on Hemmings.