Tag Archives: Ford

News

Bronco Sport Just Had a Terrible Month—Here’s Why That Matters

Ford’s rugged Bronco lineup is having a strong 2025—at least for the most part. While the larger Bronco continues to surge in popularity, its smaller sibling, the Bronco Sport, hit an unexpected roadblock in July.

Through the first seven months of the year, the Bronco Sport has been on a healthy upward trajectory. Sales are up 13.9 percent compared to 2024, with 83,376 units sold so far in 2025—an encouraging climb from the 73,203 units sold over the same period last year. But July told a very different story.

Last month, Bronco Sport sales plunged 18.7 percent year-over-year, with just 10,938 units sold compared to 13,449 in July 2024. The drop is particularly surprising given the model’s overall success this year and the broader strength of Ford’s SUV lineup.

In fact, the Bronco Sport was one of the only mainstream Ford models to post a monthly decline, alongside the compact Maverick pickup. Other nameplates, particularly in the large SUV segment, showed serious momentum. The Explorer posted a robust 46.2 percent jump with 18,837 units sold in July, and the Expedition climbed an even higher 50.9 percent with 7,518 units. But the real standout was the full-size Bronco, which surged 55 percent year-over-year to 13,798 sales—eclipsing its smaller sibling’s tally for the month.

The Bronco’s rise isn’t just a one-month wonder. Year-to-date, the flagship off-roader is up a massive 45 percent, growing from 59,054 units sold through July of 2024 to 85,861 so far in 2025. It’s a reminder that while some buyers might be swayed by compact crossovers with rugged aesthetics, many are still craving true off-road capability—and they’re finding it in the Bronco.

Meanwhile, over at Lincoln, Ford’s luxury division is having a more mixed year. The Corsair crossover continues to slide, down 16.2 percent for July and 1 percent on the year. The Nautilus is faring slightly better with a 3.3 percent year-to-date increase, but it too suffered a July decline of 11.5 percent. Fortunately, the Aviator provided a rare bright spot, skyrocketing 298.4 percent to 1,470 units for the month—up from just 369 in July of last year.

Despite the Bronco Sport’s rocky month, Ford’s overall SUV momentum remains strong. But the segment’s volatility is on full display. Even strong year-to-date performers can’t rest easy—especially when consumer preferences shift as fast as the terrain the Bronco was built to conquer.

Source: Ford

News

Classic Recreations Files for Bankruptcy Amid Mounting Debts and Uncertain Future

Classic Recreations, a company once hailed as a premier name in high-end Ford Mustang restomods, has found itself in serious financial turmoil. Known for their jaw-dropping builds featuring carbon fiber bodies, modernized powertrains, and meticulously crafted interiors, the Oklahoma-based outfit has officially filed for bankruptcy after amassing millions in debt.

The news surfaced via the Eleanor Mustang Fan Club, which uncovered bankruptcy filings indicating the company’s dire financial position. It marks a stunning reversal of fortune for a brand that once commanded nearly $300,000 per vehicle for its bespoke creations.

Classic Recreations had built its reputation by operating under an official license from Shelby American, crafting modern interpretations of legendary models like the Shelby GT500CR. However, that licensing agreement has recently come to an end—a move that may have played a role in the company’s downturn.

Despite the current financial crisis, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The company has appointed Pete Vanderveen as its “turnaround expert,” a title that suggests strategic restructuring may already be underway. Vanderveen’s role will be to navigate the complex web of creditor negotiations, manage the company’s assets, and—if possible—steer the brand back to solvency.

Whether Classic Recreations will continue operations during the restructuring remains unclear. However, its situation serves as a stark reminder of how even well-regarded names in the growing restomod industry can face existential challenges.

In recent years, the market for premium restomods—vehicles that blend classic looks with modern performance—has expanded significantly. That boom fueled companies like Classic Recreations, who capitalized on nostalgia with contemporary performance, attracting collectors and enthusiasts alike.

As the dust settles, fans and creditors alike will be watching closely. The hope is that Vanderveen’s leadership can revive the company, preserve its legacy, and perhaps someday bring its iconic Mustangs roaring back to life.

Source: Eleanor Mustang Fan Club

Auctions

Custom 1955 Ford “Beatnik Bubbletop” Set to Cross the Auction Block

In a world where modern cars often blur together in shades of gray and practicality, the Beatnik Bubbletop is a brazen reminder that automotive design can still be wild, wonderful, and a little weird. Built from the bones of a 1955 Ford, this custom creation is anything but conventional—and nearly a decade after its last auction appearance, it’s once again ready to turn heads as it heads to the Mecum Auctions block this September.

Originally the brainchild of renowned custom car builder Gary Fioto, the Beatnik Bubbletop took over four years to complete. The project was no mere restomod—it was a full-blown reinvention. Fioto chopped the roof off a ’55 Ford and mounted the body on the chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car. From there, things only got more radical.

Up front, a bumper from a 1959 Cadillac makes a bold first impression, while the rear is capped with a 1958 Caddy bumper and striking finned taillights sourced from a 1960 Chrysler. All the bodywork in between was handcrafted in steel, painstakingly joined with oxy-acetylene welding to achieve a sculptural, seamless flow. It’s a design that feels more at home in a Jetsons cartoon or a mid-century sci-fi dream than on any city street.

But the most striking feature—and the reason for its name—is the clear Lexan bubble roof, giving the car a full-blown space-age silhouette. The oversized dome isn’t just a design flourish; it defines the car’s entire persona. It’s audacious, theatrical, and undeniably unique.

Inside, the show continues. The cockpit is as bespoke as the bodywork, featuring a yoke-style steering wheel, custom dashboard, and sleek, color-matched air vents that extend into the rear. Pearl White upholstery shimmers beneath the light pouring in from the transparent canopy, while a Vintage Air HVAC system and Alpine screen add a modern touch to this retro-futuristic fantasy.

The Beatnik Bubbletop isn’t just a novelty—it’s a decorated showpiece. It cleaned up on the custom car circuit in the mid-2000s, taking top honors at events like Daryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show, where it earned a $20,000 grand prize in 2006. It later joined the eclectic collection of the late Larry Klairmont, a well-known Chicago collector who passed away in 2021.

Back in July 2015, the car fetched $165,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction. Now, ten years later, collectors and custom enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see if its value—and its legend—have grown with time.

Whether you love it, loathe it, or simply marvel at its existence, one thing is certain: the Beatnik Bubbletop wasn’t built to blend in. It’s an automotive statement piece, a rolling work of art that revels in excess and eccentricity. As it heads back to the auction stage, the question isn’t whether it will attract attention—it’s whether anyone will be bold enough to take it home.

Source: Mecum Auctions