While the original production Ford Bronco remained relatively untouched throughout its four-decade run, there were several concepts that didn’t end up making it – and a few more that were created before the iconic SUV returned to production in 2020. In celebration of Bronco’s 57th anniversary today, we’re looking at the Broncos that were never destined to hit the trails.

Bronco concepts date back to the SUV’s inception, with the first, Dune Duster, debuting at what is now the North American International Auto Show just months after the Bronco’s introduction. Designed in Dearborn, the Dune Duster was built by Barris Kustoms in North Hollywood, California. The vehicle included an NHRA-approved roll bar with integrated headrests, while the windshield was designed to complement the contour of the roll bar. Jump seats were included over the rear wheels and a tonneau cover offered protection for contents of the rear compartment.

The Bronco Wildflower concept came a few years later in 1970. It delivered a “lively, carefree appearance” through its multi-colored paint, creating a psychedelic design of blues, yellows and reds. The look was completed by a pink grille, while red carpeting spanned the entirety of the interior. Like the Dune Duster, it also included a sanctioned roll bar and matching windshield. Also, the Wildflower’s hood incorporated an air scoop for added engine cooling.

Part SUV and part truck, the Bronco Montana Lobo was a futuristic take on what was then a well-established vehicle in 1981. The experimental concept was touted to “take over where most off-road vehicles leave off,” while its design was considered “futuristic, yet inherently practical for almost any chore.” Designed in collaboration between Ford’s Advanced International Design Center in Dearborn and the Ghia Construction Studios in Italy, the Montana Lobo featured removable, tinted “bubble” doors, a sliding rear access door and a plexiglass T-top style roof. Debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, the vehicle foreshadowed interior features such as ventilated seats and digital instruments.

The next two Bronco concepts on our list took the SUV in a different direction. The Bronco took on a more rounded and closed look, described by automotive media as a midsize crossover, with 1990’s DM-1 concept, also revealed in Chicago. The body was made of steel-reinforced fiberglass, with the vehicle’s large hatch extending into the roof. The name bore the initials of its designer, Derek Millsap, an art student who won a contest to design the vehicle. Two years later, Ford brought the Bronco Boss Concept to the Windy City. The vehicle reflected the demand for off-road ruggedness combined with the comfort and convenience of a car.

It didn’t take long after Bronco’s discontinuation in 1996 before the demand for its return began. The U260 was created in 2000 as a four-door hardtop and two-door convertible that recalled the early Bronco, but it was shelved by both market factors and the company’s SUV strategy at the time, according to the recent “Bring Back Bronco” podcast.

The 2004 Bronco Concept revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is probably the best-known of the Bronco concepts. The revamped Bronco was meant to capture the “original, authentic spirit” of the Bronco. It took some design cues with its boxy, upright roofline, short wheelbase, round headlamps and Bronco nameplate across the three-bar grille. Modern updates included a nitrous-oxide booster that would add another 50 horsepower to the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine’s power. At the same time, the six-speed automatic transmission could also be driven as a manual using paddle shifters located on the steering wheel.

There was also another “Bronco” created in the 2010s – an Expedition with a “Bronco” package – built to preserve the nameplate’s trademark before its return, though no pictures are believed to exist of the vehicle. According to the “Bring Back Bronco” podcast, the vehicle is said to have lifted the Expedition 2-1/2 inches and included oversized tow hooks, a leather interior and a two-tone paint scheme. Three stainless steel badges etched with the word “Bronco” were included around the vehicle.

While proof of the one-off Expedition Bronco’s existence is hard to come by, there is no shortage of photos to show you the rest. See below and tell us your favorite Bronco concept in the comments section!