January 24, 2018

Velocity Restorations – Building Bitchin’ Broncos and More

Florida’s Velocity Restorations began in 2006 when Brandon Segers bought then restored his first Ford Bronco – a 1969 model. He had long admired these wall-climbing machines made famous in American pop culture way back when Ted Nugent was filling stadiums across America in the mid-70s.

Brandon’s longtime friend Stuart Wilson followed suit with his own frame-off ’76 Bronco restoration. Within a short span, they went into the business of restoring these popular, boxy Broncos which now have a cult-like following. “Who doesn’t love the pure, rugged awesomeness of Classic Ford Bronco’s?” they ask.

While they have been in business for a decade, they have burst onto the national scene thanks to recent builds including a stunning green metallic ’76 that took SEMA by storm then went on to the Goodguys Southwest Nationals two weeks later where it was named the event’s “PPG Dream Car.”

Though Velocity Restorations’ foundation is 70s Broncos, Segers is quick to point out they also do frame-off builds on muscle cars, restomods, and whatever a customer might envision upon walking into their Pensacola, Florida shop.

“Stuart and I have a deep passion for customizing,” he said. “We build everything to our vision. Our builds retain their classic aesthetic but with creature comforts and way more power and performance. “Today’s customer wants a classic vehicle with the modern technology, comforts and reliability. We dedicate ourselves to delivering that”

Velocity’s build quality is on par with any of America’s top builders like Rad Rides by Troy, Roadster Shop, Kindig-It Design, Ida Automotive or any other coach builder focused on classic iron. They breathe life into vehicles of all kinds through the meticulous process in which they create their automotive art. With two shops totaling 22,000 square feet at their facility, they are able to handle body repair, prep, paint, electrical, drivetrains, suspensions, glass and trim, even upholstery right there onsite.

The day we stopped by their shop, they were swapping in a Ford Coyote motor into a ’74 Bronco project and mounting the body. A fresh and sexy blown LS3 ’68 Chevelle pro-touring car was lurking in the shadows and there were Bronco projects in 90% of the service bays. Business is booming and their footprint is expanding.

Part of the evolution of any hi-end build shop is establishing inroads with manufacturers. In the case of Velocity, they have aligned themselves with the best in the business. Take for instance the IFS chassis under their award-winning green ’76 Bronco. That was one of the first prototype IFS Bronco chassis manufactured by Roadster Shop. Those chassis are now a new product available from Roadster Shop equipped with Fox shocks, IFS, 4-link and the highest quality standard in the industry.

Segers and Wilson also have a solid relationship with Ford Performance for a constant stream of Coyote V8s. If you’re anything like us, a NA 450hp crate motor just isn’t enough to satisfy the “butt dyno.” Stuart and Brandon feel the same way. To make their Coyote’s snarl, they have a pipeline to Whipple Superchargers. Many of their builds feature blown Ford goodness courtesy of massive Whipple huffers. Making the machines thunder even more are their signature mid-length headers.

Further alliances with hot rod industry manufacturers are seen scattered throughout their trucks and cars. Their VR gauge face logo looks awesome on Dakota Digital’s HDX series gauges. Kicker audio systems are also prominent in their builds. They also design their own accessory bracket kits for Ford Coyote swaps into classic Ford Bronco’s which are the best on the market.

As far as fit and finish goes, Velocity is up there – way up there. Stamped panels, custom engine bays, killer paint jobs, custom upholstery – everything is sharp, refined and of the highest quality. You might think their Broncos are so nice they don’t get driven but you’re wrong! “Owning a classic Ford Bronco is about getting in the driver seat and taking on adventure,” is their M.O.

Their plans for 2018 are to go big. They plan on hitting more industry events, and Goodguys events where they will set up shop on the midway. They are also working on another project they hope to unveil at SEMA this fall – a ’69 Super Bee Hellcat-powered pro-touring car.

Beautiful Broncos, mega muscle cars and a bullet proof business philosophy has Velocity Restorations rising fast in the performance industry. And they’re damn nice guys. They have arrived!