Finally, it’s possible to have 600 horsepower in a 1969 Bronco

There’s something tremendously satisfying about the Gateway Broncos. As with their counterparts (and competitors) from boutique firms like Icon and Singer, the Gateways represent the past as we wished it had been: the perfectly-focused purity of design you remember, brought up to modern standards of quality and usability. Naturally, it comes at a price, and that price is usually a lot closer to $200,000 than it is to the $2000 first-generation Broncos used to fetch in newspaper classifieds.

Prospective owners with generous budgets will no doubt be pleased to hear about a pair of new powertrains for Gateway Broncos. Entry-level Gateways have always come with a 347-cubic-inch stroker small-block paired with a four-speed automatic, and the firm has offered a five-liter “Coyote” as an option for a while now, but as of right now you can order your flat-window Ford with the combination of the Gen3 5.0 Ford V-8 and 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Gen3, which in Gateway trim makes 460 horses and 420 pound-feet of torque, has been adapted to the Bronco by Roush Performance. Given that the original Bronco was motivated by a 105-horse straight-six, and that the 5.0/10-speed combination provides more than adequate urgency to the much bigger and heavier current-generation F-150, you might be forgiven for wondering if perhaps this isn’t just too much power for a trucklet with a 92-inch wheelbase. At the very least it will require full attention, and full commitment, from the driver.

But wait, as they say—there’s more. Roush will also be offering its supercharged five-liter as an option. Gateway isn’t quoting power figures yet, but in the hilarious and delightful F-150 Nitemare this package makes 600 or 650 hp. The company does claim that “0–60 arrives in under five seconds,” which seems like a rather conservative statement. Perhaps it takes two and a half seconds to get to 59 mph and then another 2.5 to get the thing straightened out in the correct direction.

Pricing will likely hover around the $200K mark, which is a lot of money but less than what you’d pay for a Lamborghini Urus. The Lambo offers modern features like a steel roof and glass with a curve to it, but it probably won’t generate the kind of spectator goodwill that comes standard with any kind of Bronco. This is the Smith&Wesson Model 29 of trucks—ancient design, massive power, no safety features. Just make sure you have it pointed in the right direction when you pull the trigger.