Weekend Herald

Mercury Coupe simply the coolest EV restomod made

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In the fast-evolving world of EV engineerin­g, the idea of an old car sporting new tech no longer has the zany impact it might’ve had five years ago.

We’ve seen Volkswagen Kombis running electric motors, and similarly powered American fare make a smooth and silent appearance from enthusiast­s as diverse as musician and vintage car buff, Neil Young, and New Zealand’s own Mercury Energy.

LA-based restomodde­r, Icon, might have nailed the concept though with its latest project, unveiled at the SEMA automotive trade show in Las Vegas.

Part of Icon’s Derelict series of one-off builds, this all-electric 1949 Mercury Coupe looks sensationa­l. And it’s possibly down to the customiser’s admirable resistance to polishing every external panel to sparkle like the sun.

Aside from the high-tech electric powertrain under the substantia­l hood, as much external patina (read: corrosion) and internal character has been left insitu as possible.

That’s not to say Icon didn’t pull the donor car apart with the precision of a surgical team: it did, but managed to keep as much of the Mercury’s faded glory intact as possible. The makeover included new rubber, extra sounddeade­ning material and insulation. The upholstery is new, but colour-matched to give it a sun-faded look and Icon stuck with the original bulky bench seats.

Look closer at the dash and you’ll see retro-themed — but distinctly digital — switchgear, and the car has obviously been lowered (and features Brembo brakes). But for the most part, this is a ground-up restoratio­n that looks like it has just been pulled out of the barn.

Lift the bonnet, and things do look decidedly different… though even the Tesla-sourced 85kWh battery system and twin electric motor set-up has been styled to represent a trad V8 block.

According to the build team, there’s power for a 200km/h top speed and the Mercury features not one, but two charge ports: a CHAdeMo 125-amp inlet has been cleverly hidden away behind the front number plate, while a Tesla supercharg­er port is nestled underneath the fuel filler flap.

Sorry Mercury Energy; your gleaming 57 Ford Fairlane Evie is great and all. But this Mercury is so much cooler.

 ??  ?? The Mercury’s faded glory remains intact.
The Mercury’s faded glory remains intact.

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