1981 Ford Bronco Montana Lobo - AllCarIndex

The Ford Bronco Montana Lobo—a glimpse into the future of off-road vehicles—is one of the featured attractions in Ford Division's 1981 auto show exhibit.

The Montana Lobo, based on the Bronco frame (pre-1977), features such futuristic touches as tinted "bubble" doors that can be removed and replaced by helicopter door-type webbing; a sliding rear-access door and a Plexiglas "T"-roof, running boards, cutaway rear fenders and 15-inch wheels and ORV tires.

Other special exterior equipment indues an integral rollbar, overhead airfoil and side rails with louvered panels.

Up front, the bumper/grille guard has a soft self-skinning foam covering. There are wire mesh headlight and radiator guards, and a power winch is mounted inside the front bumper.

"The Lobo represents more than a show vehicle," William H. Cramer, manager of Ford's Advanced and International Design Center. "It's a collection of ideas and designs that may be used in future Ford four-wheel vehicles."

He noted that the instrument panel used in the experimental vehicle was adapted for the 1980 Thunderbird and that the integral loading-ramp tailgate, side panel storage areas and seats are other potential production items.

The unique black vinyl seats—paired captain's chairs for the driver and passenger—are constructed from sheet vinyl and foam-fill, with ventilation slots and an independent blower for each seat, providing warm air in cold weather and cool air when it’s hot.

Other interior features include an electronic digital instrument pod, overhead console-housed instrument controls, a clock and an advisory warning system.

The rear cargo area is lined with woven hemp and features two fold-down bench seats. The tailgate retractable loading ramp folds into three sections and stows into the tailgate.

The Montana Lobo is mounted on a 107.3-inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 188.9. It is 75.4 inches wide and 77.4 inches high.

The powerplant for the Lobo is the Ford 5.0-liter V-8 engine, an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

The futuristic off-road concept vehicle was developed by Ford's Advanced International Design Center and the Ghia Construction Studios in Turin, Italy.