A new kind of rat rod - all hi-tech underneath

This is a trend that is fast picking up pace, keeping a car with its patina intact and fixing or replacing everything underneath to a very high quality and upgrading the mechanicals to modern standard.

This 1952 Chevy Business Coupe looks regal in its worn out paintwork and dented chrome bumpers. Even the wheels like it came from a derelict. Actually it is a custom machined wheel that is made to look  the part.

The car is the creation of Icon cars, the company that is spearheading the idea of restorations that maintains as much as the patina of the original car.

Hi-res album after the jump

Under the bodywork is a powder-coated Art Morrison chassis with a front independent suspension and a four-link rear.

The engine is a brand new fuel-injected 6.2-liter General Motors LS3 V8 that cranks out 430 horses  and sends power through a 4L65E self-shifter.

This car is pulled to astop by a full set of six-piston brakes with anti-lock capabilities and thosew wheels were talking about just now are custom CNC-machined pieces shod in ZR-rated BF Goodrich rubber.

The interior is all new but looks like it survived with the car through a time warp. The seats are covered in wild alligator and buffalo hide, dyed the same colour as John F Kennedy's Hermes briefcase, the carpets are Wilton and the roof liner is vintage mohair from Aston Martin.

There is also a full array of entertainment system including Parrot adn Focal components hidden away in the deep dark corners of the car.
 
I say this is the way forward and I want one, a Merc Pontoon with a C250CGI drivetrain, Harman Kardon sounds, ostrich and Dakota leather in dark olive and keyless go. Alternatively I would be happy with a 2002 riding on 135i mechanicals with dark blue interior..... whaddaya think?

More pictures below