This California Company Is Bringing Classic Cars Into the Future
There’s no feeling like hitting the open road in a vintage car—but actually maintaining one is an entirely different story, with mechanical issues, hard-to-find parts, and poor performance. Now, one company is on a mission to deliver on both the promises of classic car ownership, and the realities of it.
Kindred Motorworks performs every aspect of its auto restoration process under one roof in its Mare Island, California, facility. "Modernizing a vintage car is a huge advantage," says Rob Howard, founder of Kindred Motorworks. "The challenges involved with vintage cars melt away and you’re actually able to be present in the moment and just enjoy the ride."
New California start-up Kindred Motorworks takes unrestored classic cars and gives them an inside out overhaul, turning them into modern vehicles with respect to the makers’ original visions. First up from the company are a Bronco, VW Bus, and Camaro LT, each with its beloved lines, but with head-turning paint jobs, fresh interior finishes, and, with new combustion engines, a break at the gas pump.
The Kindred Bronco is based on the 1966 to 1975 Ford Bronco.
Bringing cars like these up to speed typically isn’t a process you can rush, says Kindred’s founder, tech entrepreneur and classic-car hobbyist Rob Howard. "I had a notebook where I kept track of everything I did on the car," he recalls. "One day, I realized how complex it was and knew I could organize it in a much more efficient way using technology."
The Kindred Bronco has been updated with a modern internal combustion engine. Other features include a new high-performance drivetrain, front and rear disc brakes, 4WD, and LED headlights.
In essence, he put the time in up front to reduce turnaround on the backend. According to Howard, he and his team put in more than 10,000 hours prototyping, testing, and designing each model before making them available for pre-order.
The interior of the Kindred Bronco has been refinished with contemporary features—including power windows, a state-of-the-art sound system, rearview camera, leather trim, and Bluetooth.
Removable/reversible rear bucket seats bring a new level of comfort to the classic car.
With such detailed knowledge of every aspect of that particular model and the benefit of having all specialists under one roof, Howard claims the team is able to complete a restoration in less than half the time it would typically take a local shop.
The Kindred Camaro LT is based on the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.
The Kindred Camaro LT is a modern take on the classic muscle muscle car, with a 700 hp GM 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine, six-speed manual transmission, power rack and pinion steering, independent rear suspension, and a 9-inch Torsen limited slip differential.
The leather- and Alcantara-wrapped interior of the Camaro boasts Recaro Sportster GT front seats, a MOMO Mod 08 steering wheel, Hurst shifter, and center console gauges.
The three cars can be ordered with combustion engines, or as EVs. More vehicles, including a model based on the 1947 to 1953 Chevrolet 3100, will be launched later this year to complete the 2022 lineup.
The Kindred VW Bus is based on the 1950 to 1967 Volkswagen Bus and is the company’s first electric vehicle (EV).
Diehard classic car aficionados who take joy in endless tinkering might not be ready to trade up to a Kindred model, but these reimagined classics are sure to find a dedicated fanbase who want the best of both worlds: old-school style and the comfort and reliability of the new.
Modernizing vintage cars—with the option of EV or internal combustion—makes them more sustainable, more reliable, and safer. While the original VW Bus has 46 horsepower and questionable braking and quirky steering, the Kindred model features an electric powertrain, disc brakes, and three point seat belts.
Design features of the VW include a detachable table, storage cabinets, rearview camera, state of the art sound system, and wrap-around seating.
Preorders for Kindred Motorworks’ lineup of 2022 vehicles launch August 19.
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