There has been a lot of press circulating around ICON, a manufacturing company based out of Los Angeles, California garnering fame for their limited run of modern renditions based on iconic classics. By modern rendition we mean the melding of modern safety, fuel efficiency, and amenities within the body of a classic vehicle.

Jonathan Ward is the owner and president at ICON. “The concept for ICON was born in response to the direction I had seen the collector market heading, as demands and expectations on classic cars grew to expect modern performance married to classic styling,” says Jonathan.

Their ICON TR Series has been gaining a lot of attention over the last few months, and more recently with their display at the 2013 SEMA Show a few weeks back. Check out this closeup of some of the fine details that go into ICON’s rendition of the Advance Design Series of Chevy pickups that took and continue to take enthusiasts by storm.

The ICON Thriftmaster features an impressive list of modern updates and conveniences. Here are some of its overall specs at a glance:

• Fuel injected 315 hp 335 ft. lbs torque V8
• Six speed TKO Tremec Manual Transmission
• Art Morrison chassis
• Four wheel ABS disc brakes
• IFS four link solid axle rear
• Restored vintage body
• Painted gloss or matte finish, in almost any color imaginable
• Polyurea coated under body and floor surfaces (cabin)
• Stainless steel body hardware
• Brushed, nickel plated trim, with matte ceramic clear coat
• Mandrel bent aluminized exhaust system

Options include an automatic transmission with overdrive, intercooler supercharger for added horsepower, and amber LED vintage styled fog lights just to name a few. For a detailed look at each section of the ICON Thriftmaster’s specs check out ICON’s TR Spec page here.

TR Mechanical Highlights

ICON pulled out all the stops on this build, on their website they say that the Thriftmaster comes in one trim option, loaded. No qualms here. The IFS with sway bar coupled with the four link rear suspension system ensures performance and comfort. The electrical system is managed by an ISIS CAN-BUS system which cuts out a great deal of wiring through the vehicle and allows for customizable settings for electrical components such as lights, touch screen control panel, and A/C. Rack and pinion 20:1 ratio power steering allows you to maneuver the ICON Thriftmaster like butter on the road.

TR Equipment Highlights

The interior of this truck is pristine to say the least. The builder’s at ICON kept the look vintage while accenting it with classy touches like pebbled bison leather and brushed knobs. The dashboard is a work of aluminum art featuring a vintage slot design that hides all your modern components – A/C vents, double DIN touch screen control panel, and glove box featuring USB and AUX ports. Along with power door locks, for security, ICON installed a failsafe that interrupts ECU and fuel system power. You can activate this via key fob or by a smart phone application routed to the ICON’s electrical system.

TR Trim Highlights

As we bullet pointed earlier, the paint options are practically limitless. ICON hand makes each vehicle to order so no two are ever alike. You can choose between a matte or gloss surface. The steering wheel and column were kept 1950s style with a reduced diameter wheel and tilt column for ergonomics. The wheel is also wrapped in bison hide to compliment the elegant split bench seat upholstery. The truck bed is a work of art all its own, American ash wood panels are finished with a durable matte marine coating complimented by custom stainless stringers.

We could sit here all day and list highlights throughout the Thriftmaster. It’s an impressive work of automotive engineering and the company has capitalized on a trend that is definitely making headway in our hobby. While there will always be those who love restoring a classic with minimal modern comforts included, if any at all, ICON is geared towards that harmonious marriage between classic style and modern comfort.

Check out ICON’s homepage for more information on these beautiful recreations and the other lines they currently produce. Stay tuned and keep your eye on this company because they are always working to expand their portfolio of vintage renditions.