What Kindred Motorworks does

Kindred Motorworks is a privately held restomod company founded in 2019 by Rob Howard, a former Target and last-mile logistics executive, and headquartered in a 100,000+ square foot facility on the historic Mare Island naval shipyard in Vallejo, California. The company restores and modernizes vintage vehicles, currently offering four product lines spanning the Ford Bronco (1966-1977 donor), Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Split Window (1950-1963), and Porsche 911 G-Series (1974-1989), in both internal-combustion and fully electric configurations. Pricing ranges from $199,000 for the gas Bronco to $299,000 for the limited 12-unit EV 911, with vehicles built to order under a 50% non-refundable deposit model and financed in partnership with Woodside Credit.

The company's differentiation rests on two proprietary technology assets built over multiple years: Kindred Blueprint, a software platform documenting 5,000+ components and 1,250+ parts per model with digital work instructions and quality control checkpoints; and the Grayback EV Platform, a modular in-house electric vehicle architecture featuring proprietary battery packs and a thermal management system branded Chill Plate. Roughly 100+ designers, engineers, and craftspeople execute over 10,000 hours of prototyping per model before production begins, with annual throughput targeted at 50-100+ units per model line.

Kindred sells through a hybrid direct-to-consumer and authorized-dealer model, with online configuration, deposits, and Mare Island pickup complemented by dealer partners in Dallas (Sewell, since Q1 2024), Manhattan (BRAM Auto Group, since Q1 2026), Boise, and Connecticut. The company has raised approximately $50 million cumulatively from venture capital firms, angel investors, and celebrity backers including Robert Downey Jr., and is supported by an ecosystem of partners spanning Hagerty insurance, Woodside Credit financing, and compatibility with major US EV charging networks.

Name

Kindred Motorworks

Legal name

Kindred Motorworks, Inc.

Website

https://kindredmotorworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kindred Motorworks is a private restomod company that restores and electrifies vintage Ford Broncos, VW Type 2 buses, and Porsche 911s at its Mare Island, California facility, selling premium vehicles priced $199K-$299K to affluent collectors via direct sales and a multi-state dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restomod Automotive Manufacturing

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Retail-Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations (5500)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Powertrain Integration Manufacturing (ICE-HEV/PHEV modules) (IMACAHAJ)

Keywords

• Vintage car restoration
• Electric restomod vehicles
• Classic car modernization
• Custom automotive manufacturing
• Luxury restomod services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Rafael

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Sales: One-time sale of restored and modernized classic vehicles (gas and electric powertrains) at premium price points ranging from $199,000 to $299,000. Customers configure vehicles online and pay 50% deposit upon build slot assignment with balance due upon delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kindred Motorworks handcrafts restored and modernized vintage vehicles — Ford Broncos (1966-1977), Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Split Window buses (1950-1963), and Porsche 911 G-Series (1974-1989) — at its Mare Island facility. Vehicles are offered with either traditional Coyote 5.0 V8 gas powertrains or the in-house Grayback Electric Vehicle Platform, and are sold through online configuration and an authorized dealer network at price points ranging from $199,000 to $299,000.

Product overview

Kindred Motorworks is a restomod company that restores and modernizes vintage vehicles with both traditional gas and proprietary electric powertrains. The company operates on a platform-plus-products model centered around its proprietary Kindred Blueprint technology system and Grayback EV Platform. The current product lineup includes four core vehicle offerings: the Kindred Gas Bronco (Heritage and Trail editions) and Kindred EV Bronco (both based on vintage Ford Broncos 1966-1977), the Kindred EV Bus (converted VW Type 2 T1 Split Windows from 1950-1963), and the upcoming Kindred EV 911 (Porsche 911 G-Series 1974-1989, launching Q1 2027). All EV models utilize the Grayback EV Platform developed in-house. The company also offers financing partnerships through Woodside Credit, insurance through Hagerty, and nationwide charging compatibility with major networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kindred Gas Bronco A restored and modernized vintage Ford Bronco (1966-1975) with an upgraded gas powertrain, modern safety features, and contemporary interior technology, handcrafted at the Mare Island facility and sold to affluent vintage vehicle enthusiasts starting at $199,000.
• Kindred EV Bronco A fully electric restomod of the vintage Ford Bronco (1966-1977), built on the in-house Grayback EV Platform with dual-motor all-wheel-drive, 80 kWh battery, 402 horsepower, up to 200 miles of city range, and DC fast charging, sold to affluent enthusiasts starting at $225,000.
• Kindred EV Bus An electric restomod of vintage 1950-1963 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Split Window buses converted to a 23-window Deluxe configuration, featuring a 294HP direct-drive electric AC motor, 74 kWh battery, 200-mile range, and luxury lounge interior, sold starting at $249,000.
• Kindred EV 911 A limited-production (12 units) electric restomod of the vintage Porsche 911 G-Series (1974-1989), built on the Grayback EV Platform with dual-motor rear-wheel-drive, 400V 62.2 kWh battery, 375 horsepower, and estimated 225 miles of range, priced at $299,000 with deliveries commencing Q1 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 hours of prototyping, testing, and refinement per model before production
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BRAM Auto Group (Kindred Motorworks Manhattan)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026One of the largest family-owned dealership groups in the Tri-State area (New York). BRAM Auto Group of Manhattan has been a partner since Q1 2026, located at 679 11th Ave, New York, NY 10019. Contact: Anthony Aquilino.
• SewellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Texas-based automotive dealership group (Sewell Lexus of Dallas) serving as authorized Kindred dealer since Q1 2024. Provides local sales, test drives, financing options, and service support for customers in the Texas market.
• IssimiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics provider mentioned in context of building dealership network and offering warranty coverage and maintenance support for customers.
• HagertyminorOthersInsurance partner through which Kindred customers can insure their vehicles. Kindred offers a 1-year Hagerty Drive Club membership to customers who choose this insurance option.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Singer Vehicle Design: Premium restoration and customization house for Porsche 911 (and now 930) models, selling restored classics starting in the high six figures. Direct peer to Kindred's EV 911 program in the Porsche restomod category, with comparable buyer profile and price band.
• ICON 4x4: California-based restomod specialist focused on vintage Ford Broncos, early Toyota FJs, and other classic 4x4s. Directly competes with Kindred's Bronco programs in the vintage SUV restomod niche.
• Velocity Restorations: Louisiana-based classic Ford Bronco and early Ford truck restoration and restomod builder. Competes head-to-head with Kindred's Bronco programs in the premium vintage 4x4 category.
• Gateway Bronco: Specialist in 1966–1977 Ford Bronco restorations with modern drivetrains and premium interiors. Direct peer in the same vintage Bronco niche, with comparable price points.
• Everrati: UK-based company converting classic Porsches, Land Rovers, and other icons to fully electric powertrains. Direct peer in the electric restomod category, with overlapping buyer profile and technology approach to Kindred's EV 911 and EV Bus programs.
• Lunaz: UK-based company electrifying classic luxury vehicles including Range Rovers, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Direct peer in the high-end electric restomod category targeting ultra-high-net-worth collectors.
• Zero Labs Automotive: California-based electric restomod company focused on vintage Ford Broncos and classic Ford pickups. Direct peer in the EV restomod niche targeting affluent enthusiasts with six-figure pricing.
• Revology Cars: Manufacturer of officially licensed reproduction classic Mustangs and Shelby GTs with modern engineering. Comparable in offering brand-new, warranty-backed vehicles styled as classics at similar price tiers.
• Classic Recreations: Texas-based Shelby and Mustang restomod builder with carbon-fiber bodies and modern powertrains. Direct peer in the premium American classic restomod category.

Broad incumbents

• Hagerty: Collector car insurance, media, and events company that is both a Kindred financial partner and a broader incumbent in the collector car ecosystem. Comparable as the dominant brand serving the same HNW enthusiast customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/kindred.cars
• Facebookfacebook.com/101479658341337
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kindred-motorworks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kindred Motorworks