- Ford has sued a tuning firm for turning modern Broncos into retro 1960s-inspired models.
- The automaker accuses Vintage Modern of unfairly profiting from its iconic Bronco design.
- The Blue oval claims trademark infringement and is seeking a jury trial to settle the dispute.
Ford has decided to take a tuning firm to court, accusing Vintage Modern for allegedly infringing on its trademarks by transforming modern Broncos into throwbacks that channel the vibe of their old-school ancestors. Fittingly—or perhaps ironically—the lawsuit was filed on Halloween.
While specifics are hazy, the case was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and Ford has requested a jury trial. This could be a risky move as jurors could be swayed by arguments that Vintage Modern is simply modifying new Broncos to make them look old.
More: Ford’s 2025 Bronco Update Brings Back $38K Base Model With Steelies
That outcome is far from certain, but Vintage claims their builds are modern vehicles that combine old school looks with the reliability and safety of a brand-new model. They go on to tout features such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and a rearview camera. They’re joined by modern amenities such as air conditioning, app connectivity, and Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay. In essence, it’s everything you love about the latest Bronco but in a retro wrapper.
Interestingly, it appears the company went out of their way to avoid issues with Ford. Their vehicles sport Vintage branding, while their website has a disclaimer saying “Vintage Modern has no sponsorship, association, approval, or endorsement from any motor company including Ford Motor Company.”
However, there’s a glaring detail that stands out as pretty iffy. We’re talking about the Vintage Broncos logo, which looks like a Temu version of Ford’s. It effectively swaps which legs are up in the air and looks far more amateurish overall.
The lawsuit was noticed by The Drive and a spokesperson told the publication, “Vintage Broncos’ unauthorized modifications and resale of modern Ford Broncos, reselling them as ‘vintage’ is misleading and unfairly profits from Ford and Bronco brand assets that we have spent decades building. We have an obligation to take all appropriate steps to stop those who put customers at risk and ride on the coattails of Ford’s significant investment and reputation.”
