Many fans, including me, enjoy restoring or restomodding these Broncos. We maintain the classic look but upgrade features like power, safety, comfort, and technology to make them better suited for today’s roads.
If you begin with a barn-find project or a fully stripped frame, the market offers both restoration and customization routes to fit your vision.
I’ll walk you through pricing tiers, modern design upgrades, and recommended builders.
With practical planning and clear goals, you can end up with a Bronco that not only looks legendary but also performs and feels like today’s premium SUVs.
You shape the final result, classic in appearance but modern in function. With every bolt and upgrade, you bring new life to an American legend built for the road ahead.
What Makes Classic Broncos So Loved?
Classic Broncos from 1966 through 1977 blend compact design, retro style, and serious off-road capability in a way few vehicles can match.
Their clean, strong lines lend well to upgrades, making them prized platforms for restomod builders.
Firms like Gateway Bronco, Velocity Restorations, and Vintage Modern masterfully combine period-correct bodywork with modern suspension, drivetrains, and tech.
The result is a vehicle that turns heads with its vintage looks and delivers modern performance, comfort, and reliability.
That fusion of street presence and capability is precisely why the classic Bronco remains so compelling to enthusiasts and builders alike.
Modernized Design Ideas for Vintage Broncos
These classic Bronco platform upgrades transform them into capable, reliable restomods while preserving their iconic look.
1. Chassis and Suspension Upgrade
Many restomods start with a modern chassis, for example, the VR Exclusive frame from Roadster Shop, popular with Velocity builds.
Independent front suspension or multi-link rear setups deliver smoother, more responsive handling.
Coil-over shocks by Fox or Bilstein, adjustable sway bars, and ride-height tuning give you off-road control and on-road comfort, all while preserving the classic wheel arches and overall silhouette.
2. Powertrain and Performance: V8 and Electric Swaps
The modern Ford 5.0L Coyote V8 is highly popular in these builds, offering over 460 horsepower, strong torque delivery, and proven reliability.
Power couples with an Atlas transfer case and Dana axles for serious trail capability. On the electric front, Kindred Motorworks electrifies vintage Broncos with high-torque EV conversions.
These electrified builds retain handcrafted quality while delivering silent acceleration, eco-friendly performance, and futuristic ease, without surrendering classic design.
3. Exterior Styling: Paint, Graphics, and Wheels
Restomod builds often use custom BASF Glasurit paint matched to vintage color palettes with modern finishes and retro stripes.
Heritage Series Broncos pair period-correct tones with Method wheels and steel bumpers.
Subtle additions like LED headlights and modern tail lamps enhance safety while preserving the original look.
You can blend nostalgia with modern aesthetics through paint, polished hardware, and updated wheels.
4. Interior Design: Modern Comfort, Classic Feel
Modern restomods layer contemporary interior comfort into a vintage shell. Think heated leather or Alcantara seats, Recaro or custom bucket seating, and center consoles.
A double-DIN touchscreen system, integrated discreetly behind a vintage-style dash, supports Bluetooth, navigation, and audio.
Add climate control, power windows, DC steering, airbags, and digital gauge pods, without compromising the period vibe.
5. Safety and Convenience Features
Restorations from trusted builders often include modern safety upgrades like airbags, ABS, traction control, backup cameras, and reinforced roll cages.
The engineering includes crash-tested chassis, crumple zones, and discreet LED safety lighting.
These additions make classic Broncos safer to drive universally, in city environments and remote trails alike.
You get peace of mind without giving up the vintage feel. These upgrades help you handle daily drives or weekend adventures with greater confidence.
6. Luxury and Technology Enhancements
Today’s restomods may include modern amenities like heated/cooled seats, power locks, remote start, interior ambient lighting, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite radio, and touchscreen interfaces integrated into a retro dash layout.
You enjoy the best of both worlds, vintage aesthetics and modern usability, without detracting from the classic character.
Everything feels familiar, but functions like a brand-new SUV. I appreciate how these touches make long drives more enjoyable and everyday use more practical.
7. Limited-Edition and Bespoke Builds
High-end firms offer bespoke or limited-run restomods tailored to specific tastes. Gateway’s Luxe-GT series delivers AWD, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and luxury finishes with custom colors.
Icon’s electrified “New School” Bronco features carbon-fiber body panels and cutting-edge suspension for a premium roadliner build.
Kindred Motorworks’ EV restomods are offered in a limited number of units each year, hand-built, unique, and priced over $200,000. These models appeal to collectors seeking exclusivity and performance in equal measure.
Vintage Broncos Price Guide
Pricing varies widely across builds:
• Basic restored Broncos (1966–1977) often cost $30K–$40K.
• Higher-end restorations reach up to $90K depending on quality, drivetrain, and trim.
• Mid-range restomods with modern V8s, suspension, and interior comfort typically fall between $180K and $280K.
• Premium luxury and limited-edition restomods can exceed $275K and go as high as $800K.
• Electric restomods, from firms like Kindred, start above $200K, blending vintage design with modern eco performance.
Your vision and budget shape your choice between originality, performance, and exclusivity.
How to Find the Right Bronco Builder
Choosing the right shop to build or restore your classic Bronco can make or break the entire experience. This is what to look for when picking a trusted Bronco builder:
- Proven Experience: Look for builders with a solid track record in vintage Bronco restorations, not just general custom work.
- Clean Fabrication Work: High-quality welding, neat wiring, and thoughtful details show true craftsmanship.
- Strong Client Reviews: Honest feedback from past customers can reveal a great deal about reliability and service quality.
- Transparency & Communication: A good builder listens to your vision, keeps you updated, and explains each step clearly.
- Balance of Original & Modern: The best shops know how to preserve the Bronco’s heritage while adding modern performance and comfort.
- Clear Timelines & Process: Avoid surprises by ensuring they offer realistic schedules and written project outlines.
- Use of Quality Parts: From suspension to wiring, insist on well-known, durable brands.
- After-Delivery Support: A great builder won’t vanish after drop-off. Look for shops that offer tuning, tweaks, and follow-up service.
- Customization Options: Whether it’s custom paint, drivetrain upgrades, or a full interior redesign, your builder should bring your ideas to life.
Smart Tips for Starting Your Bronco Build Right
- Choose a structurally sound early Bronco with minimal rust as your base.
- Decide early whether you want a vintage restoration, restomod with modern comfort, or electrified build.
- Budget realistically: restorations range from $ 30,000 to $ 100,000; restomods often start around $ 200,000.
- Pick a builder with proven quality; Victoria Modern, Velocity, Gateway, Maxlider, and Kindred are highly regarded.
- Clarify your intended use: daily driver, off-road trail vehicle, or show-level car; this affects component choices.
Conclusion
I believe classic Ford Broncos remain unmatched icons in automotive history. You don’t have to sacrifice driving comfort, safety, or reliability to enjoy one.
By thoughtfully applying modern upgrades, such as powertrains, chassis, interiors, and electronics, you create a Bronco that honors its heritage while performing like today’s SUVs.
If you’re restoring a survivor or building a high-end restomod, a wide range of price points offers something for every budget, from $30K restorations to multi-hundred-thousand-dollar custom builds.
The modern classic Bronco you envision, whether rugged, daily-friendly, luxurious, or electric, is certainly within reach.
When you build or own one with intention, you fuse character, performance, and nostalgia into a vehicle you’re thrilled to drive and share.
