An electric 1949 Mercury at SEMA 2018

The ICON 4x4 and Customs shop in Los Angeles California is renowned for its past “derelict restomod” builds that featured modern running gear under old sheetmetal such as the shop’s original 1951 DeSoto station wagon, the 1950 Buick Roadmaster, and the 1946 Lincoln Club Coupe, and the 1949 Mercury coupe shown at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) 2018 is equally ground-breaking.

The 1949 Mercury features two 150 KW permanent magnet electric motors that combined to look like a V-8 engine develops an estimated 400 horsepower and 470 ft/lbs. of torque.  A Tesla 85 KWH battery pack provides the power with dual motor controllers and dual fast chargers.

The coupe rides on a custom-built Art Morrison chassis with four-wheel independent suspension equipped with Brembo brakes, electric power steering, Relicate custom leather and textile interior and electric air conditioning. The whole package has an estimated 120 mile per hour (MPH) top speed and a range of 150 to 200 miles.     

All photos by the author 

The ICON Reformer “Six Pack”

 

Just for today, Triplett’s Eye on Cars becomes....

Triplett's Eye on Trucks.

 

 

Beginning in 1964 Ford Motor Company offered a “Crew Cab” body style for their new fourth-generation F250 (3/4 ton load capacity) truck. The early 1961-1963 F-series Ford truck featured a uni-body (cab and bed integrated) design which was dropped for 1964. While a four-door “Crew Cab” pickup truck is a common site nowadays, in the nineteen sixties this design also known as a “Six Man Cab” was factory custom built starting with a regular cab.

 

 

from this.....

(photo courtesy ICON)

......to this

(author's photo)

 

 

Beginning with a well-used but fairly rust free example, ICON Reformers based in Los Angeles created this one-of-a-kind four-wheel drive 1965 Ford F250 that they call “Six Pack” that was parked outside the North Hall at the 2017 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show. 

 

The stated purpose of ICON Reformers simple - Take timeless classic vehicles from any maker, from almost any era, then re-imagine them for modern use. Restore the vehicle inside and out to better than new condition, tailor the vehicle to the client’s personality and use but all of the updates are hidden under the restored original look. ICON Reformers advertises that they “design, engineer and build modern rides with vintage vibes”

 

Some of the highlights of the build which is powered by Banks Power modified 5.9 liter (360 cubic inch) straight six Cummins turbo diesel engine connected to a 48RE transmission and the truck rides on Fox racing suspension.

 

photo courtesy ICON

 

Author photo

Custom touches include the nickel plated aluminum trim with stainless inserts, and custom built rear bumper

 

Photo courtesy ICON

The luxurious interior features Moore & Giles leather seating with German wool square weave carpet.  Amp Research power steps deploy when the door is opened.  

Checking out a Pro-Lite short course 

race truck at SEMA 2017

 

On display at the Airaid booth at 2017 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas was the #12 Toyota Tacoma Pro-Lite race truck driven by 17-year old Brock Heger in the Lucas Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) presented by Geico.

 

 

 

A LOORRS Pro-lite truck is a 2-wheel drive mid-size race truck with a fiberglass composite body over a 1-3/4 inch 4130 chromoly steel 122-inch wheelbase chassis. The nearly mid-mounted V-8 engine pumps out an estimated 300 horsepower, and coupled with the12-inch front wheel and 14-inch rear travel limits allows the truck to accelerate over the jumps during the short course races. Due to the high level of contact during a race, the six-piece truck bodies are considered sacrificial as a new complete body kit costs less than $2000.

 

 

Brock a 17-year old racer from El Centro California drove for Jeremy McGrath’s JM2 racing team during the 12-race 2017 LOORRS season and won six races with two second place and two third place finishes. Unfortunately Brock suffered mechanical failures and failed to finish in the other two races, and wound up finishing second in the 2017 LOORS Pro-Lite championship behind Jarrett Brooks. Competing in a second division, Heger and his Yamaha YXZ won the inaugural LOORRS Production 1000 CC UTV (Utility Vehicle) class championship and was voted the LOORRS 2017 Driver of the Year.

 

Yes, that's an Airaid intake filter

 

Heger’s major sponsor on the #12 Pro-Lite truck is ICON Vehicle Dynamics an off-road performance suspension manufacturer with associate sponsorship from Airaid the manufacturer of performance air intakes and filters.  

 

 

You can view the 2018 LOORRS schedule at http://www.lucasoiloffroad.com/events/2018-series-schedule

 

All photos by the author