Icon 4×4, a classic car restorer based in Los Angeles, has launched perhaps the most desirable Chevrolet truck repair program we have seen in a while. Guys, what you see is the 1952 Chevrolet Thriftmaster 3100 by Icon 4×4 founder Jonathan Ward. This is the company’s first display of its New School construction series, mainly with modern features and updates. Retro body truck with facility. In other words, this is a real restoration, not to mention the hand-bite brilliance of the correct details of its era.
The name "Thriftmaster" refers to the Chevrolet Advanced Design pickup truck lineup released between 1947 and 1955. It may sound like Chevrolet A-series trucks have a low level of decoration, but Thriftmaster is a worker-class truck with a load capacity of less than one ton (and Loadmaster is a heavy-duty version of Thriftmaster).
As expected, the New School series has many modern components (via Top Gear). For example, Art Morrison Chassis created a completely independent front suspension that replaced the solid front axle of the old Chevrolet. In addition, it has a Dana 60 nodular rear differential in the independent rear suspension. Coilover shock absorbers and Brembo brakes are standard on the limbs, while the truck is equipped with a set of 18-inch forged artillery wheels.
At the same time, there is a Chevrolet Performance 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine under the hood, which can output 440 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The naturally aspirated V8 engine is connected to a floor-standing six-speed manual transmission, replacing the old three-speed Saginaw column shifter. This Chevrolet truck has a power-operated rack and pinion steering system that provides stable handling on the track.
That's right. This old Chevrolet truck can break into the track with its new attributes, but it is too beautiful for ham driving. The meticulous structure includes a unique bed floor covered with eight lacquered walnut boards. The burnt finish is provided by a traditional Japanese craft called Shou Sugi Ban. The wood board is burnt, cooled, cleaned and oiled to make a fireproof material that does not contain chemical substances. Not bad, right?
The best part of this Chevrolet truck modification is in the cabin. It has electric locks, electric windows, ambient lighting, leather steering wheel and original instrument panel equipped with Pioneer 8600NEX infotainment system, hidden behind the integrated instrument panel. It also has a back-up camera, a modern climate control system and a subwoofer under the rear seats. In addition, the three-seater bench seat is wrapped in high-quality micro-brushed leather by Moore and Giles.
The good news is that this 1954 Chevrolet Thriftmaster modification is not just a one-off creation, although you need a huge bank account to commission your own New School series vintage trucks. According to Icon 4×4, the basic price of the production model is between US$180,000 and US$320,000.