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You' ll Never Guess What This Old School Knockout Is Hiding
Aug. 21, 2019 2:35 PM ET by Ian Wright / 6 Comments Hint: it's under the hood. If there's one thing you can guarantee at Monterey Car Week, it's a procession of mint condition, perfectly kept, and highly buffed classic cars on display. On the other hand, you'll also find unmolested barn finds wallowing in the full glory of their patina and unrestored time capsules on four wheels. Icon, one of the US's premier restoration companies, took something to Monterey this year than doesn't slot neatly into either of the traditional camps. What you're looking at here is Icon's 1949 Hudson "Derelict." The 1949 Hudson follows Icon's tried and true formula of taking classic car bodies in as-found condition and blending it with cutting-edge mechanical components and electronics. For the Hudson project, Icon also took the interior to the next level as well. Icon Icon Icon Icon The well-weathered exterior is hiding a wealth of automotive treasures underneath, starting with a 6.2-liter supercharged LS9 V8 laying down an imposing 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. That would be an absolutely frightening proposition if the Hudson still had a solid rear axle setup. Instead, Icon has fitted a fully independent suspension system all-round. Just as frightening would be trying to stop using the original drum brakes, so Icon has gone with large Brembo brakes to help avoid any embarrassing interactions with a tree. It's the actual chassis where the true art of Icon shows through though. Custom-built Art Morrison subframes were designed to integrate into the existing Hudson "Monobuilt" semi-unibody construction. The overall effect is so well done, you couldn't tell by looking at the car that it has a modern chassis underneath that houses independent suspension and has the strength to deal with all that new power. Icon Icon Icon Icon The interior is where most attention will be directed though. Jonathon Ward, the man behind Icon, explains: "My recent deep-dive hobby is traditional leather-craft. As a serial craftsman, I have explored many arts, and leather-craft really speaks to me. So, I infused that into this project, which features a very unique wild-caught alligator and calf leather interior, which I designed and dyed all by hand. It was a labor of love, with just the interior taking over 400 hours to realize!" Alligator skin and calf leather is a bold choice, and it's a bold interior, to say the least. The owner is a repeat customer for Icon and is all about the local culture of his hometown, Nashville. We suspect this badass Hudson will fit right in while also being a unique piece of art in its own right. As is the way with these things, the cost of the restoration is being kept very quiet. Icon Icon Icon Icon Icon Icon Icon Icon Join The Discussion
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Buick Regal GS Ian Wright Associate Editor After working his way through several loosely related careers, Ian finally took the hint and became an automotive journalist and photographer. He spent a few years freelancing before joining up with CarBuzz to combine his love of writing, photography, and cars into one neat package. When Ian is not staring down a lens or into a computer screen writing reviews and features, you can find him in Southern California enjoying winding mountain and canyon roads. If you can’t find him, he’s probably off-roading in the desert. Contact Ian @BothHandDrive @BothHandDrive LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top