California-based icon built in 1952 Chevrolet The Thriftmaster 3100 pickup introduces a different approach to the work for which it is famous. While its previous Thriftmaster-based builds (including the one we drove) are Old School projects, which means they put the focus on its latest, classic style cues. vans is part of a series called New School characterized by a more modern-looking exterior design.
Crafted by hand on an Art Morrison frame, the Thriftmaster was completed in a twist color called Chalk comes from Porsche color board. The black chrome exterior trim adds contrast to the design, as do the 18-inch forged wheels, but arguably the most interesting part of the build can be seen by dropping the rear doors. The box is lined with walnut Shu Sugi Board-finished; it’s an ancient Japanese woodworking technique that aims to preserve the material by heating its surface. We think it looks great.
Inside, the Thriftmaster offers an unusual blend of 1950s style, modern technology and the build quality associated with Icon creations. The seats are upholstered in micro sandblasted leather, the steering wheel is smaller than the factory-installed unit and linked to an adjustable mast, and even the sun visor is custom-made. Power windows, rear view camera, LED ambient lighting and a Pioneer sound system are also part of the build, but they are neatly hidden behind a moving one-piece dashboard.
Jaw-dropping horsepower wasn’t one of the Thriftmaster’s original selling points, so Icon set out to change that. It replaced the original engine with a General Motors-sourced 6.2-liter LS3 V8 tuned for development. 440 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. It gets fuel injection and turns the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Brembo brake control huge amount of power.
“My favorite part is that our first New School truck can easily keep up with the pace of modern day chases. sport car through a canyon, no problem,” commented Icon founder Jonathan Ward. Reaching this level of performance in pickup truck Nearly 70 years old is no small feat, and Icon has done it by adding four-wheel independent suspension, adjustable paddle shifters plus rack and pinion steering.
Icon did not reveal who operated the truck or how much it cost. What is certain is that it will turn around in the next cars and coffee meets.
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