Icon founder Jonathan Ward unveiled an abandoned project in which he threw his heart and soul. His team transformed a 1949 Hudson coupe that had slept in a barn in North Carolina into a handmade, custom-made hot rod that enveloped the road.
"This project was built for a returning customer that we love," explains Ward. He added that the buyer owns a ranch in the Nashville area, so he asked for a rockabilly-inspired car that reflects the local culture. The project started after Ward and his client chose to start a Hudson coupe made between 1949 and 1951. We can see why; it is one of the most striking American cars produced at that time, and its low-hanging appearance lends itself well to hot-rodding.
If it could talk, the Hudson would probably say that waking up from his long hibernation was worth it. Icon exchanged its original engine (which was a straight-6 or a straight-8) for a Chevrolet Corvette-sourced, 6.2-liter V8 supercharged up to 638 horsepower and 604 pound-foot torque. The cavalry travels through a four-speed machine before it reaches a Dana 60 rear differential. Icon has not released performance specifications, but the Hudson is most likely at least fast enough to keep up with a Corvette, like the one where its engine comes from.
Brembo brakes on both axles keep the engine power under control, while a fully adjustable independent suspension allows the owner to increase the ride height if necessary. The coupe has a semi-unibody construction, not a body construction like many American cars around the 1950s, so the mechanical components rest on sub-frame assemblies from Art Morrison.
It takes a large team to turn a classic car into an Icon & # 39; s Derelicts, but Ward remains personally involved in his company's projects. He designed the interior of the Hudson with wild-caught alligator and calf leather, and painted it all himself. Woolen carpets, woolen headlining and removable floor mats complete the cabin. Although it looks in the right period, the coupe is equipped with a modern infotainment system, LED ambient lighting, air conditioning and an electric parking brake that is controlled by the original lever. All in all, the interior took 400 hours to complete.
Icon showed his latest project Abandoned during the Monterey car week and the Hudson will soon settle in his new life in Nashville. We are already looking forward to seeing what Ward's seemingly limitless imagination now yields.