The latest creation of Bronco Gateway marks major milestone for Illinois-based company restomod farm. And not just because of the exposed carbon fiber bodywork, custom independent front suspension chassis, or even the 760-hp supercharged V8 under the hood. Most importantly, this version of Gateway carries Carol ShelbySignature of on a dashboard plaque affixed to the glove box.

This is because this first prototype was built in partnership with Shelby Americanand Gateway will technically refer to the Bronco like the Shelby Sport SUV. Receiving official approval from Shelby was no small feat, as we learned while driving the prototype on a foggy day in Southern California. It seems like just putting such a powerful Ford “Predator” engine into a vintage truck would be downright dangerous. Instead, maneuverability quickly became the watchword.

In city traffic, the Shelby Sport SUV demonstrates a refined level of throttle control to harness the prodigious power, while the independent front suspension contributes to predictable, confident steering. But once the road starts to snake, the suspension allows just a hint of body roll before settling into tighter corners than any 4×4 wearing 33-inch tires should be able to handle, even overtaking by far the already impressive Gateway. Luxury-GT that we led last year to Monterey Auto Week. From the passenger seat, Gateway Bronco founder Seth Burgett told us that this specific project took eight years of development before Shelby approved it.

“We needed to produce a vehicle that went beyond what had ever been done before,” Burgett said. “For it to be approved as a Shelby Sport SUV, it truly had to be a world-class vehicle. . . we finally closed the deal in April this year.

As proof of concept, the Shelby Sport SUV had to live up to the Carroll Shelby name. A motorsport-derived Tremec five-speed manual delivers classic driver engagement, but can also handle the engine’s abundant torque – even full-time four-wheel drive can’t stop the powertrain from warbling all four tires during the first . some speeds. On the other hand, Gateway also installs ABS brakes and traction control programming to prevent enthusiasm from turning into regret. In fact, Burgett boasted that the truck can stop from 60 mph in just 148 feet, despite the 33-inch BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain tires.

Shifting from second to third, then fourth, using the pistol-grip-style shifter is reminiscent of vintage Broncos racing across the desert. And the weight of the clutch pedal perfectly communicates the friction zone while providing just as much power. Not to mention the astonishing bi-modal exhaust note, which starts with a deep growl then builds to an increasing cacophony higher up the tach.

Of course, Gateway will offer a tamer exhaust system to keep the neighbors happy, as well as a ten-speed automatic transmission or a non-supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8. But we would argue that, to some extent, this loses some of Shelby’s pioneering spirit. This connection to Shelby also ties into Burgett’s personal life. He races an authentic GT350 in vintage races and also owns the very first Ford Bronco ever produced, which Carroll Shelby himself previously owned. Yet this Shelby Sport SUV bears little relation to those classics, although it technically carries a 1966 model year designation.

The panel gaps in the full carbon fiber bodywork, finished with a glossy Highland Green weave and raw carbon for racing stripes, all scream modern production methods. A new partnership with Recaro delivered the bucket seats, here finished with Pepita Houndstooth inserts inspired by the Porsche 911 R. Porsche leather upholstery, draped over the rest of the interior, contrasts sharply with the futuristic carbon inlays, including in the billet shifter. .

“For design aesthetics, we were looking for the GT3 of sporty SUVs,” says Burgett. “That was really the theme behind it. We could have built a Baja racer and have a custom tubular frame and put a V-8 on it. But it’s not marketable to the Shelby ownership community. . . we really aim to be the best sports SUV, period. Neither vintage nor new, but from the period.

The Recaro provides a comfortable seat for the driver and passengers, an essential element given the speeds this Bronco can reach so quickly. Of course, this kind of performance in a 4×4 requires certain compromises. The carbon buckets don’t recline much and are mounted high enough in the cabin that the top of the windshield frame blocks a straight line of sight for tall drivers. And in order to avoid too much squat and dive during hard acceleration and braking, Gateway had to use stiff springs which translated into a rougher ride on broken roads: softer springs might be more comfortable, but less inspiring confidence. We also wanted an extra whine from the supercharger, one of the most important aspects of modern Hellcat engines that Fords typically neglect in favor of the amplified soundtrack of the exhaust.

Either way, the Shelby Sport SUV certainly turns heads, even when parked next to supercars. Burgett spent much of our morning together explaining to onlookers exactly what they were looking at: some noticed the carbon fiber bodywork, some ran their hands over the bed’s curly maple wood, others were mounted in the Recaros to turn to the last switch and button. , each finished in metal with no cheap plastic in sight.

Gateway and Shelby plan to build just 10 examples per year, with pricing starting at $315,000 for a Bronco equipped with the Coyote V-8 and standard body panels. Optioning the full carbon fiber and custom coating can quickly push that sticker up to $800,000. For added peace of mind, the Shelby Sport SUV also comes with a 10-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that Burgett dubbed the “flying doctor” service, and it’s worth noting that Gateway will build the trucks in a right-hand drive configuration. also for international customers. Each will carry a Gateway Bronco serial number and be listed on the official Shelby registry, making them an integral part of Carol ShelbyThe ever-growing legacy of the automotive industry.

Click here for more photos of the Gateway Bronco Shelby Sport SUV.