Reviving a Legend: Why the Classic Ford Bronco Is Perfect for Restomods

There was a time when car interiors smelled of gas and vinyl. No glossy screens or touch panels, just character. Today, vehicles are more comfortable than ever, but many feel soulless. That’s where the classic car restoration and restomod scene comes in, breathing new life into old designs. The idea is simple: combine the timeless charm of a vintage ride with the reliability and performance of modern technology — a recipe that any true enthusiast can appreciate.

And if you’re hunting for the ideal canvas, the classic Ford Bronco is in a league of its own. Produced from 1966 to 1996, it spanned five generations, competed with the Chevrolet Blazer and Jeep Wrangler, and quietly disappeared by the late ’90s. At the time, the market was obsessed with luxury street SUVs, but trends have a way of returning like a boomerang. The pandemic first kept people home, then pushed them outdoors with a vengeance. Freedom became a priority again, and Ford rushed back with a new Bronco. Stylish and capable as it was, the modern version lacked the soul of its ancestor. That’s where the “buy the old Bronco and drop in modern components” approach became more than a compromise — it turned into a brilliant plan.

A Canvas for Bold Builds

The Bronco’s main strengths are simplicity and size. Its body-on-frame construction forgives a lot, and the body itself is like a blank sheet. Want a modern V8? Go for it. Prefer an electric monster? That works too. Builders have caught on quickly. Workshops across the U.S. and Europe are busy creating Bronco restomods. Even in Australia, Early Broncos Australia builds right-hand-drive versions using chassis and drivetrains supplied by American company Kincer Chassis.

Conservatives will argue: “Only V8s!” And they’re not wrong. Modern engines offer power and reliability while keeping the classic growl that makes old vehicles so lovable. The 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8 has long become the gold standard. California-based Kindred Motorworks regularly drops 460 horsepower third-generation Coyotes into classic Broncos, or even goes full-electric with 408 horsepower and a 200-mile range.

Rumor has it that Robert Downey Jr. has his eye on their work — and he has good taste. Of course, projects like this cost as much as a Boeing wing. For example, legendary shop Icon 4x4 lists its electric Bronco at $450,000. But for that money, you get a beast with adjustable Reiger suspension and a locking front differential — capable of tackling almost anything.

Many hesitate, worried that a unique Bronco could turn into a money pit or endless project. There’s a solution. Gateway Bronco offers a seven-year warranty on its work. Each classic is rebuilt down to the last bolt in their 59,200-square-foot facility, with quality control rivaling Ford’s own. Pricing ranges from $180,000 for the base build up to $400,000 for the top-tier LUXE-GT Edition.