Early Bronco Front Grille

Early Bronco Front Grille: Buyer's Gude & History

Trivia time: How many versions of the front grill did Ford make for the 1966-77 Ford Bronco? The answer may surprise even the more knowledgeable early Bronco fans. Ford produced three different grills during the classic Bronco’s production run, each with its own distinct features and quirks.

1966 Ford Bronco Grill – The Eyebrow Grill

In its first production year, the Bronco debuted with what enthusiasts now call the “eyebrow grill.” This unique design featured two small stampings—one above each headlight—that resemble raised eyebrows. It’s a subtle detail, but one that makes the 1966 Bronco stand apart.

By 1967, Ford eliminated these eyebrow stampings, likely to accommodate the new grill surround trim introduced with the Bronco Sport package. To this day, the original 1966 eyebrow grill has never been reproduced, making it a rare and highly sought-after piece. Fortunately, the 1967-68 Bronco grills are otherwise identical to the ’66 version, which means restorers can swap them without issue.

1966-68 Bronco Grill vs. 1969-77 Bronco Grill

The second major change came in 1969 when Ford updated the Bronco’s front-end styling. The difference lies in the turn signal bucket design.

• 1966-68 Grills: These models used a smaller parking lamp assembly that sat nearly flush with the grill face. The lenses were clear, paired with amber-colored bulbs that shone through.

• 1969-77 Grills: Ford redesigned the grill to accept a larger, protruding parking lamp housing. These housings mounted with thick rubber pads, and the lenses themselves were amber, replacing the earlier clear-lens/amber-bulb combo.

This subtle change gave the later Broncos a more pronounced, rugged look and became the standard through the end of the 1977 model year.

While many enthusiasts think of the Early Bronco grill as a single iconic design, Ford actually produced three distinct versions across the ’66-77 run. From the rare eyebrow grill of 1966, to the clean flush-lamp style of ’67-68, and finally the bolder protruding-lamp look of ’69-77, each tells a small part of the Bronco’s history.

Whether you’re restoring a true ’66 eyebrow Bronco or updating a later model, knowing the details behind these grill variations can help keep your build period-correct—and spark some great conversations at the next Bronco meet-up.

Is it grille or grill on an Early Bronco?

We get this one often enough to clear the air. No, this isn’t the UK, and you don’t need to add extra letters just to sound fancy. That said, the correct term on an Early Bronco is grille—the front panel that lets air in and gives your Bronco its face. A grill is what you cook burgers on. So, unless you’re flipping steaks on the front of your Bronco, it’s a grille.