A vintage Ford Bronco gone electric

Gateway Bronco restores classic Fords Broncos with modern engines, transmissions, amenities and if one is inclined, an electric drivetrain. The basic build starts with a Ford 302cid V8 Coyote engine and a 6 to 10-speed automatic transmission, but with advancements in electric vehicle drivetrains, Gateway can make an old SUV ecofriendly with modern amenities.

“Our electric vehicles have AC heats, heated seats, zone heating, and cooling front and back,” said Seth Burgett, founder and chief executive of Gateway Bronco. “These are things that you would never believe are available in a vintage vehicle. Our goal is a Lincoln Navigator in a Bronco body.”

Electrification of a vintage vehicle is nothing new as restoration outfits and auto manufacturers are giving consumers the opportunity to have their classic car with an electric motor and drivetrain. For consumers looking to have classic styling, less noise and a smoother ride experience, you can get it from a vintage SUV with modern bells and whistles.

“When I drove my first Tesla in 2008 it was the roadster,” Burgett said. “It was ok, uninspiring. This is wonderful because it’s quiet, powerful. It is just enjoyable to drive it because you’re use to a Bronco being nosier and bumpier and all of these things.”

However, Gateway Broncos are not inexpensive.

Prices start in the low $200,000s for a fully refurbished vintage Bronco with a 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engine and electronic fuel injection. Amenities can include air conditioning, heated and cooled seats, and quilted leather seating.

For an EV Bronco the price starts at $265,000 and with that you get an SUV with 4-wheel drive, 200-mile range, and that will go from 0 to 60 mph in under 6-seconds. But despite the 6-figure price, there is demand for an ecofriendly vintage SUV.

“We’ve committed to one unit (EV) per month in the year 2022,” said Burgett. “I believe four or five of those are locked in.”