By Ryan Walsh
icon Thriftmaster
If you’re a fan of older body trucks, but can’t deal with the hassle of restoring these classics, ICON 4X4 out of L.A. has been recreating classics, with modern technology. One of their current vehicles is called The ICON Thriftmaster, or TR for short . It sports the classic Chevy-like pickup body style, but with a resto-mod/ hotrod influence. All of ICON’s vehicles are special ordered and therefore have quite a waittime – but it is worth it. The TR comes equipped with a fuel injected V8 with 315HP/335lb.-ft. of torque bolted up with a 6 speed manual transmission (with a girly automatic transmission, optional, but why ruin the manliness?). The front end uses an Independent Front Suspension, while the rear sports a buff 4 link solid axle. Unlike the original classics, the Thriftmaster has as much hoe, as it does go, with disc brakes at each corner. The body hardware is stainless steel, holding the body together and to the Art Morrison chassis. The body can be painted in either gloss or matte paint, in “almost any color imaginable,” and is accented with brushed nickel plated trim. Though any color on this body looks amazing, I’m partial to a flat gunmetal shade.
Every model from ICON has available options, though the TR has the least amount of options, with only three: one is an automatic transmission with an overdrive; another is amber LED vintage styled fog lights; last but far from least, is an intercooled supercharger. The amount of details and features that surround and are enclosed in this truck could turn this into a double feature, but it would do ICON more justice if you looked at their current lineup, and past lineup (which includes a 40’s Dodge Powerwagon). ICON’s prices are normally hefty ($100,000), but this particular model is beyond hefty when it comes to pricing. Because they will only build five of this TR (each without any of the above-listed options), the beginning in cost is around $220,000.
