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From here: http://www.carscoops.com/2015/07/restom ... wagon.html
Web link includes a link to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vwcbTr8Oxc
For those of you who haven’t heard about ICON’s Derelict creations, this is restomodding at its finest.
Wagons from the ‘50s are cool cars by themselves but Jonathan Ward and the ICON team are raising them to a whole new level of sub-zero coolness by replacing everything under the skin with modern components and leaving the outside patina as is for a complete rat rod look.
As you can imagine, the benefits of this kind of restoration are numerous because you don’t only have a completely renovated ‘50s wagon with modern hardware but also you can use it as much as you want since the exterior remains as it is, retaining its patina (what a cool word), and liberating the owner from the usual anxiety that comes with a fully-restored car.
Jonathan Ward explains the story behind this particular car, a 1954 DeSoto Powermaster Wagon fitted with a 6.1-litre Hemi V8, giving us a detailed tour around the car and the whole process of bringing it up to the painfully cool level we see it now.
Did I mention that I want one badly?
OK, so now I have new goals for my '55. I do enjoy the Icon Derelict series. That was my goal when I was car shopping, Mine is slightly modified on the exterior (some chrome pieces shaved and a metallic red paint job) but I'm trying to hide the modifications so you cannot tell very easily unless you pop the hood or crawl under the dash. I am even keeping the radio delete since it's the only place on the car with the name DeSoto. I also need to repair the old gauges so I can get rid of the aftermarket ones I current have fitted.
My only issues with the Icon series is the price. But if someone is willing to pay for it, charge it. Amazing work, just outside of my budget.
1955 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman
- 383 Magnum/A727 drive train (I know, but at least it's still mopar)
