1981 Ford Bronco Montana Lobo Concept Was Different Animal Than Modern Lobo Lineup

Younger Blue Oval fans know the “Lobo” name from the Ford Maverick Lobo and its bigger sibling, the Ford F-150 Lobo, but the badge’s history stretches back much further than these recent street-oriented models. In fact, way back in 1981, the Lobo nameplate was about as far from street-ready as a model could get – it debuted on the 1981 Ford Bronco Montana Lobo, a mean, off-road-ready four-by-four.

The 1981 Ford Bronco Montana Lobo was based on the first-generation Bronco, saddled with a number of cutting-edge tech that was far ahead of its time. That included the tinted “bubble” doors, which were able to be removed and replaced by helicopter-style webbing. It also featured a sliding rear access door and Plexiglass T-roof, along with running boards, cutaway rear fenders, and 15-inch wheels wrapped in ORV tires. It also sported an integral roll bar, overhead airfoil, and louvered side rails.

Interestingly, the 1981 Ford Bronco Montana Lobo was fitted with a self-skinning foam covering, which was designed to deflect rock and debris damage. The headlights were protected by mesh guards, as was the radiator. Inside, the Bronco Montana Lobo sported an instrument panel originally designed for the 1980 Ford Thunderbird, while its black vinyl seats featured heating and cooling capabilities, a novel concept for the time.

“The Lobo represents more than a show vehicle,” said William H. Cramer, manager of Ford’s Advanced and International Design Center, in a press release at the time. “It’s a collection of ideas and designs that may be used in future Ford four-wheel vehicles.”

Under the hood, this concept harnessed the 5.0L V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive. In short, it was a machine designed exclusively with off-roading in mind, a far cry from the performance-oriented Maverick and F-150 Lobo variants of the modern era, which are geared toward style and speed.