Jay Leno Checks Out Icon Derelict's Electric 1949 Mercury Coupe

Oct. 29, 2022 2:20 PM ET by Gerhard Horn Classic Cars / 1 Comment

Watch Jay Leno take it for a spin.

Icon has built a stellar reputation for taking old-school design and adding modern technology. Its founder, Jonathan Ward, has created several magnificent restomods, but the most famous of the lot has to be the Icon Bronco. There's also an excellent case to be made for its $200,000 FJ Cruiser.

As Ward says in the video below, its customers want the latest technology but in famous designs from years ago. And the current leading technology is EV, no matter how many people want to deny it. For reference, see the Lucid Air Sapphire, which is a 1,200-horsepower sedan that can complete a quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds.

That's why Ward equipped his latest Derelict project, a 1949 Mercury, with twin EV motors.

As you can see in Jay Leno's latest video, an Icon Derelict model retains its patina on the outside, but everything underneath is brand-new. It's the ultimate sleeper car because it looks like a piece of junk, but it can outrun most sports cars. If that's not cool, we don't know what is.

The controllers, battery banks, and cooling system were styled to resemble a big-block V8. Ward did this so ICE loyalists wouldn't immediately dismiss the car and walk away.

Another unique feature is the layout of the two EV motors. Typically, manufacturers put one motor at the front and another at the rear to create an eAWD system. In this Mercury, the motors are mounted back to back where the transmission used to sit, producing a combined output of roughly 500 lb-ft of torque.

As with other Icon products, the attention to detail is spectacular. The fast-charging port is located where the old fuel filler used to be. For home or slow charging, you flip the front license plate forward.

The interior elements are built on the stock frames, but Ward had leather upholstery specially tanned to match the car's exterior patina. It's a magnificent build, and you'll need a 30-minute break to enjoy it fully, so we'll leave you with one relevant comment from Ward.

Ward says he's always been proud to take cars near the end of their life and make them good enough to last for decades. But with EV technology moving so fast, he's not sure whether this Mercury will still be relevant in five years...

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Tags: #Lucid Motors News #Classic Cars #Electric Vehicles #Tuning #Video

Gerhard Horn

News & Features Editor

Contact Gerhard @GrootScreenGerhard

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