Core77

Breathing New Life Into Old Wheels, Part 2: Icon Derelicts

By Rain Noe - February 16, 2012

in Object Culture | Cars

This is probably my favorite example of product repurposing out of all of the ones I've seen, and I've seen a lot: The Derelicts, a fascinating series of one-off cars that is a side project for Jonathan Ward's Icon. I realize I may be somewhat biased in that while I prize both utility and aesthetics, given an ultimatum I'll always choose the former.

Ward realized that when restoring his own personal cars, he often takes it too far—"Concours [d'Elegance], total geeked out—and then I don't want to use it, like I'm scared to use it," he explains. The solution is to take old beaters, starting with a '52 Chrysler Town & Country station wagon that looks like hell, and restore them to mechanical perfection. The exterior finish largely stays as-is, but the cars are transformed, performance-wise, into reliable—and fast—daily drivers.

"I want something I can beat on and use every day," says Ward. Which still didn't stop him from pulling off some kick-ass interiors, as you'll see around the 4:40 mark in the vid below:

By the way the video was put together by eGarage, a rather interesting company comprised of three guys with very different backgrounds (design & marketing, real estate & collecting, gaming & photography) brought together by "a collective dissatisfaction with the way Automotive content is portrayed on the internet." Check out more of their videos here.

o

Favorite This
Q
4

Comment

Comments

Scott

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Love this, although I would prefer something like a Citroen DS over the giant American iron. Reminds me a bit of Gattaca, where everyone in the future is driving electrified Avantis.
!Report as spam
Adam S

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Actually, do you think you could goad these guys for a little more info about the whole "scan with lasers, get the attachment points, fabricate chassis" process. He says that in one breath, but I'd love to see some photos or, fingers crossed, another high quality video about that.
!Report as spam
Adam S

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

hipstomp, have I told you lately that I love you?

you always post the best shit.
!Report as spam
joe

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Awesome. Icon does such great work.
!Report as spam