En alguna ocasión ya hemos hablado del especialista estadounidense Icon 4x4, una firma dedicada principalmente a la restauración de modelos clásicos y a la creación de bestias de corte restomod, es decir, con un aspecto retro pero con tecnología moderna bajo su piel. De hecho, este tipo de trabajos parecen estar de moda, y desde luego a nosotros nos encantan.
Su último proyecto está basado en un pick-up Chevrolet con nada menos que 70 años a sus espaldas. En concreto hablamos de un Chevrolet Thriftmaster de 1950, que tras todas las modificaciones realizadas, ha sido apodada como Old School Edition Thriftmaster.
Galería: Icon 4x4 Chevrolet Thriftmaster
Este pick-up en particular, que sirvió como herramienta de trabajo en una granja, mantiene por supuesto su particular y redondeado diseño, surgido tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
La mayoría de componentes Chevrolet antiguos se han sustituido, incluyendo el motor, que ahora es un V8 LS3, con 436 CV de potencia y asociado a una transmisión automática 4L85-E, que envía toda la fuerza disponible al tren trasero.
Además, la suspensión es también moderna, totalmente independiente en ambos ejes, mientras que el equipo de frenos lo firma Brembo, así que la comodidad de marcha y la capacidad de frenada deberían ser de coche moderno, distando mucho de las del pick-up original de los años 50.
A pesar de todo lo que esconde bajo la carrocería, en realidad el aspecto exterior del coche es casi idéntico al del modelo original, con un acabado bitono y un interesante color verde para la carrocería, aunque con unas llantas de mayor tamaño y un cajón trasero de gran aspecto, con suelo de madera de teca africana y listones de acero inoxidable.
En el habitáculo también se mantiene un aspecto clásico, aunque con una tapicería de cuero o techo y paneles de las puertas totalmente nuevos. Se conserva el cuadro de instrumentos clásico, aunque con esferas modernas, y ahora el equipo de audio tiene Bluetooth y está oculto, y hay incluso aire acondicionado.
"En Icon 4x4 nuestra pasión es homenajear diseños atemporales y dotarlos de una nueva vida, con mejores prestaciones, comportamiento y comodidad", asegura el fundador de la compañía, Jonathan Ward. "Originalmente, esta camioneta era de una granja, así que trabajar con el cliente para restaurar su vehículo de trabajo ha sido divertido y muy gratificante".
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Fuente: Icon 4x4
ICON 4x4 INTRODUCES FIRST NEW OLD SCHOOL EDITION THRIFTMASTER PICKUP
CHATSWORTH, CA (September 3, 2020) – World-renowned vehicle designer ICON 4x4 has just unveiled its first Old School Edition Thriftmaster featuring a completely bespoke, fully customized 1950’s era truck. The incredibly detailed restoration is sure to appeal to collectors and enthusiasts alike. ICON 4x4’s newest hand-built Thriftmaster perfectly combines the original vehicle’s timeless bygone era styling with modern state-of-the-art engineering for the ultimate truck driving experience. The Old School Thriftmaster is the newest addition in a celebrated series of amazing ICON 4x4 Old School editions, which feature restored trucks imbued with the best of modern performance and engineering all with a distinctively retro look.
“This is the very first of our Old School Thriftmaster builds, so we had the opportunity to completely redesign the visual elements as well as the chassis for a much smoother, really enjoyable ride, that also creates a wholly different personality, when compared to our New School version” comments ICON 4x4 Lead Designer and Founder Jonathan Ward. “At ICON 4x4, our passion is in celebrating timeless designs and giving them new life with increased performance, handling, and comfort. Originally, this was a farm truck, so working with the client to restore a workhorse like this was such a fun, rewarding process.”
The ICON 4x4 Old School Edition Thriftmaster features an emissions-certified LS3 V8 engine producing 430 horsepower mated to a 4L85-E automatic transmission. Implementing independent front and rear suspension, this versatile truck is capable of hauling light loads while possessing the performance characteristics of a modern-day sports car. The result is an unforgettably timeless retro design that drives like nothing else out on the road today.
The ICON 4x4 Old School Edition Thriftmaster incorporates a stunning light vintage green two-tone paint job that is sure to make a statement. In true coach-built fashion, each exterior component of the Thriftmaster build was given significant attention. The stunning Old School style the truck presents is seamlessly continued throughout the interior with more period correct design with a distinctively ICON 4x4 twist.
ICON 4x4 retained the original vanilla-hue Thriftmaster dashboard to highlight the luxurious saddle leather seats, steering wheel, and roof. One of the many unique features of the truck is the Saint Francis badge located in the rear of the interior cabin. Among many things, Saint Francis is known as the patron saint of automobile drivers’ courtesy of a famous legend of how an angel used to light the oncoming road to keep her safe from hazards. The beautiful badge inside the Thriftmaster signifies safe travels for all, and ICON 4x4 sourced this valuable antique in London for the client. The Thriftmaster’s interior also incorporates custom leather to add an extra level of comfort and luxury to all passengers, including made-to-order matching green suede piping.
Other modern-day updates that have been implemented into the vehicle include powerful ICON Brembo brakes that vastly improve the truck’s stopping power, as well as a sleek African teak bed, complemented with stainless rails and custom removable cargo hold down pins. A Bluetooth dependent audio system feeds crystal clear sound through a digital sound processor controlled by two design-era appropriate dash knobs, powerful new A/C unit and several further interior upgrades on the original components further add to the Thriftmaster’s mystique. More than 22 specific items are unique to this new Old School Package.
For more information on ICON 4x4’s projects and available vehicles, please visit www.icon4x4.com or call (818) 280-3333.