While car shows are typically filled with pristine paint jobs, shiny rims and flawless body work, there is always at least one car of the bunch that sticks out because of its deteriorated state. The Derelict from Icon would definitely strike you as one of those cars, that is until you got a look at what was under the hood. As we found out from this video compliments of Autoblog, that’s exactly what Icon’s lead designer and CEO Jonathan Ward was intending when he came up with the idea for the Derelict style. Check out how the Derelicts came to be in the video above.
We first introduced you to the Derelict style back in November of 2011 when Icon brought their ‘52 Chevy Business Coupe out to the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. The Chevy, which sits atop an Art Morrison chassis, is equipped with a GM 6.2L LS3 V8 capable of 430hp. It also features a 4L65e automatic transmission, Wilwood brakes, a stainless steel dual exhaust system, state-of-the-art rear suspension and custom CNC milled wheels.
But this Chevy isn’t just about modern performance, it is also about aesthetics. As a well-worn warrior of the 50s, the Chevy still maintains its unique light green and rust patina it was found with in a Texas barn. This, matched with an alligator and buffalo interior dyed to the same color of a briefcase made for John F. Kennedy back in the 60s, makes the Business Coupe one of a kind. But as it turns out, this isn’t the only Derelict that Icon has made.
The Derelict style actually started out with Ward’s own personal car project- a ‘52 Chrysler Town and Country Wagon that he found rotting in a yard in Pacoima, California. With the idea being to stick with classic aesthetics but incorporate modern chassis engineering, Ward kept the wagon’s original patina, fitted the car with the front clip of a ‘52 DeSoto and then dropped in a 425-horsepower 6.1 HEMI V8.
The Icon Derelicts are meant to be driven. While the exterior patinas are unique to each car, they are far from concours quality. They feature the cars’ battle wounds and original, very worn paint, making them the perfect fit for daily drivers. After all, you don’t have to worry about scratches or door dings with an exterior that hasn’t seen a fresh coat of paint or body work since it came off the assembly line some 70 years earlier.
Sure the Derelicts may not win a car show, but we have fallen in love with the Icon creations. Ward expresses it perfectly when he says that its all about “trying to save some vintage iron but really kind of recycle, repurpose it into something that’s truly daily usable and user friendly.” It makes us think that maybe not all pristine paint jobs and body lines are all they’re cracked up to be. Take a look for yourself in the video above.
