Bluetooth, power windows, a rearview camera, plus an all-new drivetrain are just some of the new features in these 50-year-old classics
Published: 09-21-2022
“All that you love about the Bronco but better,” the Kindred Motorworks website proudly proclaims.
It’s enough to grab the attention of most car enthusiasts—and maybe induce some eye rolls—but Kindred Motorworks, a startup based in San Rafael, California, aims to make good on that bold statement. How? By taking iconic, well-loved vehicles—in this case, a first-gen Ford Bronco, a classic VW bus, and a Camaro—and restoring and modernizing them from the wheels up.
That’s known as a restomod, and restomods are nothing new. But Kindred is attempting to differentiate itself by streamlining the bespoke, laborious restoration process into something resembling a typical auto manufacturing assembly line. The company starts with unrestored trucks, and through its standardized refurbishment process, they’re turned into fully modernized, reliable machines—you can even get one with an electric motor.
For the Bronco build, Kindred sources vintage first-gen models produced between 1966 and 1975 and upgrades them inside and out. The trucks can be optioned with either a 460-horsepower Ford Coyote V8 engine or an electric powertrain that Kindred claims will have 200 miles of range. Gas-powered and electric models receive a long list of luxe features: front and rear disc brakes, power windows, leather upholstery, an audio system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and even a dash-mounted touch screen with a backup camera display.
All the trucks ride on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels shod with 33-inch all-terrain tires for an off-road ready look. And for added peace of mind, each Kindred vehicle comes with a one-year warranty.
The first-gen Bronco was designed as a utilitarian workhorse for exploring off the pavement. The Kindred Bronco? It’s more of a thoroughbred (and carries a thoroughbred price tag), but it still preserves the undeniable good looks of the original. Better yet, it’s revamped to be easier to maintain, and in its electric spec, easier on the environment, too.
Production begins in 2024, and you can preorder your Bronco now.
Price: Starting at $169,000
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