by An Auction for Restomod Enthusiasts
The Barrett-Jackson auction house is preparing a special event that will appeal to everyone who appreciates American SUVs and pickup restomods — classic models completely updated with modern technology. The program includes several heavily modified vintage cars that retain their original appearance but hide completely modern components under the hood.
The Main Lot — Kevin Hart’s Bronco
The central lot is a 2024 Ford Bronco that belonged to famous comedian Kevin Hart. This car inverts the classic restomod concept: instead of restoring an old body, they took a completely new vehicle and gave it a retro look. The result is very convincing.
This Corvette looks like a 1954 model but drives like a modern Z06
The serial body panels were replaced with custom ones that accurately imitate the design of the late 1960s to early 1970s Bronco. The car is painted black, has a removable soft top, and importantly, retains the standard 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. Like other cars at this auction, it is being sold with no minimum price, which could make someone a very happy winner of the bidding.
Other Interesting Auction Lots
Another outstanding example is a 1973 Ford Bronco that has been completely rebuilt. Under its hood now works a third-generation 5.0-liter Coyote engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The car was also equipped with a new power steering system, modern brakes, a 2.5-inch diameter exhaust system, and 17-inch wheels. The interior was also completely updated, but fortunately, they avoided large screens that often spoil such projects.
The auction house also offers a rather special 1968 Ford F-100 pickup. Painted in a combination of white and turquoise, it is mounted on a new chassis from Roadster Shop with coilover suspension and a 5.0-liter Coyote engine. The power output is not disclosed, but when a car looks this cool, who even asks how many seconds it takes to accelerate to 60 miles per hour?
Chevrolets and Completing the Collection
Two final outstanding models complete the group. One is a custom 1969 Chevrolet K10 pickup that has been completely reimagined on a modern GM chassis. Its heart is a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine with 525 horsepower. The list of updates includes modern steering, adjustable Fox shocks, Wilwood brake mechanisms, and a fully restored interior with a modern multimedia system.
The second is a 1965 Chevrolet C10, first presented at the SEMA auto show back in 2015. It is equipped with a supercharged 8.7-liter V8 engine and has an appropriately powerful presence.
Such auctions clearly demonstrate how the market for collector cars is changing. Restomods have long ceased to be simply restored old cars; they are more like high-tech art objects where fans of classic design get modern comfort, reliability, and dynamics. The absence of a reserve price makes the bidding even more unpredictable and interesting, as the real value of such unique projects is determined solely by the market and the interest of collectors at a particular moment. This also shows the growing popularity of American SUVs and pickups among investors in the world of classic cars.
