ICON4x4 • PAST PROJECTS

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This is the one that started it all. Built by ICON founder Jonathan Ward as a daily driver he did not have to worry about. This wagon struck a chord with people around the world. Featured on the cover of Hot Rod and in over 20 publications globally, winner of the Pasadena Art Center California Design Award, it quickly became apparent that we needed to continue with this concept, so the ICON Derelict program was introduced! Originally started as a 51 Chrysler wagon, discovered in one of our supplier's back lot. It languished for about a year, because despite loving the general lines and character, we did not love the Chrysler front end sheet metal and grill. One day, we stumbled into a 51 DeSoto sedan, with a magical front end and similar patina. Most of these Mopar vehicles of this era featured (relatively) interchangable body panels, so we bought the sedan and pieced them together. Then, it looked good enough to inspire the countless hours needed to turn it into a Derelict!

• Art Morrison chassis
• 6.1 HEMI fuel injected V8
• Mopar five speed automatic transmission
• Wilwood power disc brakes (6 piston/4 iston)
• Custom stainless steel fuel system
• MIL Spec wiring harness built from scratch
• Hidden A/C and heat
• Modern wiper system
• Polyurea coated body underside
• Extensive use of Dynamat sound deadener products
• All new weatherstripping
• Stock reproduction reptile embossed vinyl interior
• Rolls Royce wool carpet
• Stock reproduction headliner
• Hidden audio system Bluetooth dependent four speakers plus amp & bass
• Restored stock wood from the original panels
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lizard
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When the editors of Hot Rod borrowed it as their commuter car for a week when doing the road test and shoot, their only complaint was about the cup holder. Turns out it did not fit their morning Big Gulp cups... but as each ICON is highly personalized, this one was built to the shape of Jonathan's morning Starbucks Venti Americano!
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Although the visor looked great, we had to remove it. Turns out these vintage visors do not hold up very well at 100MPH...
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Here seen racing at the Optima Top Street Car Challenge, where it surprised many competitors!
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You can cruise this car anywhere and fit right in. This car has travelled over 27,000 miles so far and induces countless thumbs up and smiles!
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Funk and charm in equal parts...
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Perfect for the beach, swap meet, a night out on the town and more! Fun for the whole family.
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Stainless steel, TIG welded, large fuel tank with integrated pump and baffles.
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Independent front suspension. Large Wilwood disc brakes, rack & pinion steering, four link Strange 9 in the back, coil-over-shocks all around.
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Here you see the final assembled chassis after powder coating, power train fitment, and ceramic coating on the exhaust. Note the vintage valve covers upon the modern HEMI.
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This detail took many hours, but we kept the original valve covers (natural patina and all) from the old wagon, and grafted them upon the modern 6.1 HEMI.
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Further details in the engine bay all work to keep it looking simple. Double firewall with insulation barrier, all electrical run behind inner fenders, air intake box designed reminiscent of a 1940's bread box...
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The original DeSoto hood ornament was milled out and modified with an embedded LED, casting a soft yet menacing glow at night.
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Again, CNC'ed 6061 aluminum wheels with BF Godrich G Force ZR rated tires. Powdercoated in a special aged finish developed with Cardinal in LA. This finish is also seen on interior trim details.
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What a great design. More like the first class cabin on an old train or boat, than a car. Hardwood and stainless cargo area extends to the back of the front seat when you fold down the second row.
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Quality speakers fit into custom kick vent steel panels. Rear speakers are fit behind slots in the wood. Bass unit hidden under the front seat.
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Stock wheel, modified for the modern tilt/collapsible column. "Dead leg" left foot rest keeps your hips centered and comfortable on long drives.
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Note the old LA DeSoto dealer license plate frame. SoCal since new!
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Radiator overflow is a 1800's whiskey bottle found in a riverbed... horns are original (rebuilt and modified to 12V), WWII ambulance siren tucked in the corner... clears a lane in a hurry!
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Since one tooth in the front grill had a cavity (big hole and crack), we decided to give this wagon a cronk and we brass plated the damaged tooth! This feature has often been copied ever since...
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Clean and simple, hiding the modern functions...
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Timless grace and functionality.
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Very usefull size and shape. Tons of cargo room.
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