Thriftmaster pick-up
Classic American has shared some of the incredible automotive creations from California car builder ICON 4x4 on these pages. Now it’s introduced its first ‘new’ old-school edition Thriftmaster pick-up…
World-renowned vehicle designer ICON 4x4 has just unveiled its first Old School Edition Thriftmaster featuring a completely bespoke, fully customised Fifties-era truck. The incredibly detailed restoration is sure to appeal to collectors and enthusiasts alike, as ICON 4x4’s newest hand-built Thriftmaster perfectly combines the original vehicle’s timeless bygone era styling with modern state-of-the-art engineering for the ultimate truck driving experience. The Old School Thriftmaster is the newest addition in a celebrated series of amazing ICON 4x4 Old School editions, which feature restored trucks built with the best of modern performance and engineering, all with a distinctively retro look.
“This is the very first of our Old School Thriftmaster builds, so we had the opportunity to completely redesign the visual elements, as well as the chassis for a much smoother, really enjoyable ride, that also creates a wholly different personality, when compared to our ‘New School’ version,” says ICON 4x4 lead designer and founder Jonathan Ward.
“At ICON 4x4, our passion is in celebrating timeless designs and giving them new life with increased performance, handling and comfort. Originally this was a farm truck, so working with the client to restore a workhorse like this was a really fun, rewarding process.”
The ICON 4x4 Old School Edition Thriftmaster features an emissions-certified LS3 V8 engine producing 430 horsepower mated to a 4L85-E automatic transmission. Using independent front and rear suspension, this versatile truck is capable of hauling light loads, while also possessing the performance characteristics of a modern-day sports car. The result is an unforgettably timeless retro design that drives like nothing else out on the road today.
The ICON 4x4 Old School Edition Thriftmaster incorporates a stunning light vintage green two-tone paint job that is in keeping with the period colours of these trucks and in true coach-built fashion, each exterior component of the Thriftmaster build was given significant attention. The stunning
‘Old School’ style the truck presents is seamlessly continued into the interior, with lots of period-correct design, with a distinctively
ICON 4x4 twist.
“ORIGINALLY, THIS WAS A FARM TRUCK, SO WORKING WITH THE CLIENT TO RESTORE A WORKHORSE LIKE THIS WAS A REALLY FUN, REWARDING PROCESS.”
ICON 4x4 retained the original vanilla-hued Thriftmaster dashboard to highlight the luxurious saddle leather seats, steering wheel and roof. One of the many unique features of the truck is the St Francis badge located in the rear of the interior cabin. St Francis is known as the patron saint of drivers courtesy of a famous legend of how an angel lit the oncoming road to keep them safe from hazards.
The beautiful badge inside the Thriftmaster signifies safe travels for all, and ICON 4x4 sourced this valuable antique in London for the client. The Thriftmaster’s interior also incorporates custom leather, adding an extra level of comfort and luxury for all passengers, including made-to-order matching green suede piping.
Other modern-day updates that have been incorporated into the vehicle’s design include powerful Brembo brakes that vastly improve the truck’s stopping power, as well as a sleek African teak bed, complemented with stainless rails and custom removable cargo hold-down pins. A Bluetooth audio system feeds crystal-clear sounds through a digital sound processor controlled by two design-era correct dash knobs, along with a powerful new air conditioning unit. There are several other interior upgrades on the original components, all adding to the Thriftmaster’s unique character – in fact there are more than 20 specific items which are unique to the new Old School Package, making this one nifty Thriftmaster!
■ For more information on ICON 4x4’s projects and available vehicles, please visit www.icon4x4.com or call: 001 (818) 280-3333.