Ford Sues Restomod Company Builds Vintage-Looking Broncos For Alleged Trademark Infringement

While I personally was more surprised at how good The Bronco Sport lookedthere’s no doubt that Ford knocked it out of the park with the new Bronco. It’s a great design that integrates classic cues into its styling without feeling nearly as retro as the Chrysler PT Cruiser or Volkswagen New Beetle did. Still, there are plenty of people who wish the modern Bronco looked almost exactly like the old one. However, providing that service to customers is also what a company called Vintage Broncos just got sued by Ford for trademark infringement.

Technically, though, Vintage Broncos are now Vintage Modern its website and social media profiles still using the Vintage Broncos name. And while they offer restoration and restomod services, they also allow customers to buy what is essentially a modern Bronco with a new body that makes it look like, well, a vintage Bronco. It also seems the company knew it was at least in a legal gray area with some of its work, because the company description at the bottom of the page reads:

Vintage Modern, Inc. specializes in creating modernized interpretations of classic cars. By integrating our own custom-designed parts, we create vehicles that capture the essence of classic cars. Vintage Modern has no sponsorship, affiliation, approval or endorsement by any motor company including Ford Motor Company. The names Ford® and Bronco® are trademarks of Ford Motor Company and all other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. References to these brand names or brands are for identification purposes only.

Vintage Modern vehicles should never be referred to or described as a “Vintage Ford Bronco”, “Ford Bronco”, “Vintage Modern Ford Bronco” or “Ford Vintage Modern Bronco”.

While I generally don’t love a giant company going after a small company, unfortunately companies have to protect their trademarks and it sounds like Vintage Broncos Modern flew a little too close to the sun with its attempts at creative solutions. It’s also unlikely that Ford jumped straight to filing a potentially expensive lawsuit and probably sent at least one cease and desist letter before taking legal action. When asked for comment, a Ford spokesman told Drive:

Bronco is one of the most famous and loved brands in the world. Vintage Broncos’ unauthorized modifications and resale of modern Ford Broncos, reselling them as ‘vintage’ is misleading and unfairly profits from the Ford and Bronco brand assets 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 Ford’s significant investment and reputation.

H/T: Driven