Ford Bronco DM-1
Car of the Day #278: 1988 Ford Bronco DM-1 – Concept in realism
Whether or not we think the Bronco DM-1 concept looks attractive is beside the point here.
To me, this oft-forgotten concept that had been envisioned by a student designer outside of FoMoCo represents a rare look at, in reality, what the Bronco probably should look like.
Is this concept that far from the ideal that many enthusiasts claim they want — a two-door, four seat, slightly beefy hatchback with cargo space, off-roadability, and good fuel economy? In other words, think of this as a short-short wheelbase Ford Econoline van with Quigley 4WD.
Or, as it was built on an Escort chassis, a Ford rally car that just so happens to have travel arrangements from Paris to Dakar. I can see the Bronco in that space, as if the VehiCROSS had originated from a factory in Detroit, Michigan.
1988 Ford Bronco DM-1 • source unknown
According to the Chicago Auto Show:
“The small four-wheel drive concept vehicle was the winning design in a Ford sponsored contest for industrial art students. Mr. Derek Millsap, who created the five-seat sport-utility vehicle, lent his initials to the Bronco DM-1 name. Bulbous body was made of steel-reinforced fiberglass, and the large hatch extended into the roof.”
1990 Ford Bronco DM-1 publicity photos • via Ford
Inside and out, this is the exact milquetoast, comfy, efficient, fat-assed jellybean we needed on new and used car lots for a generation of buyers.
So, instead, Ford went off and built internal Bronco studies and, eventually, a new Bronco that’s capable and popular, sure — but compromised with day-to-day livability and road manners held back by its throwback form factor. Ditto the Bronco Sport, which is much closer in size and intent to the DM-1…but without the concept’s extremely rounded form.
Speaking of its stated date of birth at the Ford Media site of 1990, other sources list its debut at 1988 — I believe the earlier year had it shown in white, with the updated version (possibly once it had been turned into a functional vehicle) resprayed in yellow.
1990 Ford Bronco DM-1 interior publicity photos • via Ford
Was it, eventually, a functional concept? You bet.
Have I been able to find high-quality footage of it to share with you? Sadly not yet, apart from the few screenshots above.
Without butch looks, is this a Bronco, or another, more compelling idea entirely?
READ NEXT: My story on the Toyota RAV-FOUR concept.
michael banovsky
