Classic car ownership is all about looking good, having fun, and, preferably, finding a car that holds its value well. If you’re looking to buy a classic Ford Bronco, you already know this iconic American truck checks all three boxes, but in the world of vintage Bronco restorations, not all are created equal. Some companies are customizing modern Broncos with retro body kits that mimic the first-gen bodies but fall short regarding true authenticity.
Retro Gone Wrong
Retro car styling is a great way to celebrate the heritage of a classic vehicle. From an OEM standpoint, the current Ford Bronco is an example of retro styling done right, but it is definitely in the minority. The Chevrolet HHR and the most recent Ford Thunderbird are key examples of vehicles that failed to hit the retro mark; even some of the more successful OEM retro designs like the Chevy SSR truck, Plymouth Prowler, and Toyota FJ Cruiser are often panned for their final execution. Things get even messier when attempts are made to retrofit the style of a classic car onto a new car.
Rather than completing an authentic restoration, some vintage Bronco builders simply inject elements of the classic Ford Bronco onto the new model, thus distorting the iconic proportions that make the original so desirable in the first place. That is obvious when custom fabricators create body kits to make modern vehicles resemble their classic counterparts by wrapping old-fashioned skin around modern-era bones.
The distinctive size and profile define the first-generation Bronco, and that is all lost in translation when the design is scaled up to fit a new model. The long front overhang makes the nose look too big, while the wide liftgate and small vintage tail lights create a cartoonish look from the rear. What kills the appearance of the vintage-looking, new-model Bronco (and most retro body kits) is that the tall window line - a staple of almost all new cars - results in a weird profile with a chopped roof, great for a custom hot rod, not so much for an old Ford Bronco.
Another disadvantage of customizing a new Bronco with a classic-inspired body kit is that you are stuck with the factory engines. Sure, the new Bronco’s choice of four- and six-cylinder engines are ok (including the 418-hp Bronco Raptor), but you can’t beat the sound and feel of Ford’s Gen III Coyote 5.0L V8!
The Velocity Difference
The Velocity Ford Bronco stays true to the Bronco’s original, while incorporating common mods such as the cut rear fenders, larger wheels/tires, and optional family-style roll cage. Click this image to learn more about the Velocity Ford Bronco.
The lesson here is that if you want authentic vintage Bronco styling, you have to actually start with an authentic Bronco, and that’s what Velocity delivers. Velocity handcrafts modernized classics in a dedicated 135,000-square-foot facility creating Bronco restomods that pack modern performance, comfort, and conveniences while maintaining the authenticity of the original.
Authenticity is what Velocity is all about, and that starts with using the same body design that the vintage Bronco rolled off the assembly line with. More importantly, Velocity Broncos are all titled as authentic 1966 to 1977 models, allowing these builds to appreciate in value as all vintage Broncos continue to do. Alternatively, a new Bronco with a retro body kit will likely depreciate since finding a buyer with similar taste will be more challenging.
The body of a Velocity Bronco (and all other Velocity restomods) stays true to the original design, but it has an overall fit and finish completed to modern-day standards. Under the hood is Ford’s Gen III Coyote 5.0L V8 engine, which produces 460 horsepower and has the powerful rumble of a classic Bronco. This modern engine is backed by an equally advanced 10-speed automatic transmission that returns smooth and efficient shifts. The Velocity Bronco’s bones consist of an exclusive Roadster Shop frame, while the power steering and Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes allow this classic to drive like a modern truck.
Expressions such as “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” exist to describe good efforts, but if you want a vintage Bronco with true, timeless beauty, nothing beats the original. And with Velocity, driving an authentic classic Bronco has never been easier!
The Velocity Ford Bronco is powered by Ford’s Gen3 5.0L Coyote V8.