Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
China’s Juncheng Vehicle Co is manufacturing brand-new classic-car bodyshells and replacement panels for the Toyota AE86, Datsun 240Z, Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, Toyota FJ40 and 1967 Mustang. Prices reportedly start at around $9,500, while Porsche 964 and Mercedes-Benz 300SL bodies could follow.
After Larry Chen’s extraordinary Hagerty factory film attracted more than 4.7 million views, I wanted to explore the questions it raises. Could these Chinese reproduction bodies save rusting modern classics? Are they accurate and safe? Is copying an unsupported historic design legitimate? And could you build a completely new AE86 or 240Z without using a donor car?
Juncheng reportedly uses 3D scanning, hundreds of stamping dies, CNC tooling, robotic plasma cutting, corrosion protection and hand-welded assembly. More than 600 Bronco bodies have already been produced, and one became the basis of a finished restomod that sold for $400,000 at Barrett-Jackson.
This is the fascinating collision between Chinese manufacturing, classic-car preservation, EV-era politics, intellectual property, road safety and the Ship of Theseus with wheels.
Watch Larry Chen’s original Hagerty factory tour after this:
youtu.be/cBBZrjwqWZc
Juncheng Vehicle Industry:
junchengauto.com
CHAPTERS:
2:09 THE NEW CHINESE FACTORY REMAKING CLASSIC PANELS
4:37 HOW DOES JUNCHENG CREATE THESE BODYSHELLS?
6:32 PASSION PROJECT WITH AN INDUSTRIAL PARENT?
9:25 WHY THIS COULD BE WONDERFUL FOR CLASSIC CARS
11:40 THE QUALITY AND SAFETY QUESTION
14:29 IS IT LEGITIMATE?
17:08 THE GREAT CHINESE IRONY
19:23 CAN YOU BUILD AN ENTIRELY NEW CAR WITHOUT A DONOR?
20:57 CHINESE CLASSIC SHELLS: UK REGISTRATION
22:36 VERDICT: SO WHAT DO WE MAKE OF ALL THIS?
UK vehicle rebuilding and registration guidance:
gov.uk/vehicle-registration/repairs-restorations
gov.uk/vehicle-registration/kitbuilt-vehicles
This video is independent commentary and is neither sponsored by nor affiliated with Hagerty or Juncheng.
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#ClassicCars #ToyotaAE86 #Juncheng
China’s Juncheng Vehicle Co is manufacturing brand-new classic-car bodyshells and replacement panels for the Toyota AE86, Datsun 240Z, Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, Toyota FJ40 and 1967 Mustang. Prices reportedly start at around $9,500, while Porsche 964 and Mercedes-Benz 300SL bodies could follow.
After Larry Chen’s extraordinary Hagerty factory film attracted more than 4.7 million views, I wanted to explore the questions it raises. Could these Chinese reproduction bodies save rusting modern classics? Are they accurate and safe? Is copying an unsupported historic design legitimate? And could you build a completely new AE86 or 240Z without using a donor car?
Juncheng reportedly uses 3D scanning, hundreds of stamping dies, CNC tooling, robotic plasma cutting, corrosion protection and hand-welded assembly. More than 600 Bronco bodies have already been produced, and one became the basis of a finished restomod that sold for $400,000 at Barrett-Jackson.
This is the fascinating collision between Chinese manufacturing, classic-car preservation, EV-era politics, intellectual property, road safety and the Ship of Theseus with wheels.
Watch Larry Chen’s original Hagerty factory tour after this:
youtu.be/cBBZrjwqWZc
Juncheng Vehicle Industry:
junchengauto.com
CHAPTERS:
2:09 THE NEW CHINESE FACTORY REMAKING CLASSIC PANELS
4:37 HOW DOES JUNCHENG CREATE THESE BODYSHELLS?
6:32 PASSION PROJECT WITH AN INDUSTRIAL PARENT?
9:25 WHY THIS COULD BE WONDERFUL FOR CLASSIC CARS
11:40 THE QUALITY AND SAFETY QUESTION
14:29 IS IT LEGITIMATE?
17:08 THE GREAT CHINESE IRONY
19:23 CAN YOU BUILD AN ENTIRELY NEW CAR WITHOUT A DONOR?
20:57 CHINESE CLASSIC SHELLS: UK REGISTRATION
22:36 VERDICT: SO WHAT DO WE MAKE OF ALL THIS?
UK vehicle rebuilding and registration guidance:
gov.uk/vehicle-registration/repairs-restorations
gov.uk/vehicle-registration/kitbuilt-vehicles
This video is independent commentary and is neither sponsored by nor affiliated with Hagerty or Juncheng.
Subscribe for independent motoring news, honest car reviews, industry insights and outspoken opinion:
youtube.com/@BrownCarGuy?sub_confirmation=1
🌐 Latest stories and videos:
BrownCarGuy.com
📲 Follow BrownCarGuy, explore my books and find all my links:
https://linktr.ee/BrownCarGuy
📌 Support independent automotive journalism
Become a channel member:
youtube.com/browncarguy/join
Buy me a coffee:
ko-fi.com/browncarguy
Support me on Patreon:
patreon.com/BrownCarGuy
📧 Sponsorships, reviews, collaborations and media enquiries:
Contact me through BrownCarGuy.com or my social channels.
Discover my books
From automotive advice and motoring science fiction to dystopian and international thrillers:
browncarguy.com/2025/05/12/browncarguy-books
Titles include How to Be an Automotive Content Creator, The ULEZ Files, Quantum Races and Silent Ruin.
#ClassicCars #ToyotaAE86 #Juncheng
