by An LS3 6.2-liter V8 powers this restomodded Chevy with 440 hp. Icon 4×4 added modern Brembo brakes and four-corner suspension. The interior features dark leather trim and wool floor mats.
Restored Chevrolet Thriftmaster
As we have learned from recent projects, in the world of restomods, there are no classic cars that are beyond the realm of possibility. For its new project, the Los Angeles-based company Icon 4×4 took a vintage Chevrolet Thriftmaster and equipped it with a modern powertrain, while preserving the pickup’s timeless exterior design.
This particular specimen is already the 30th Thriftmaster built by Icon 4×4, and like the previous ones, it does not come cheap. A custom project similar to this one starts at $225,000. This price reflects the craftsmanship and updated technology hidden beneath the old body. Nostalgia may be part of the appeal, but affordability clearly is not.
Updated Platform and Chassis
Each Thriftmaster receives an updated chassis with a fully independent suspension and an adjustable rear anti-roll bar. The original brakes are replaced with powerful Brembo systems, and rack-and-pinion steering provides a level of precision the old system could not offer. The pickup now rolls on forged 18-inch aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tires, quietly hinting at serious dynamic capabilities.
V8 Power Without Electronic Aids
The original engine was replaced with a modern naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LS3 V8 producing 440 horsepower. It is paired with an updated automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. Official performance figures are not disclosed, but with that much power and no traction or stability control systems, driving this car must be a very emotional experience.
While the original design is preserved, the pickup is repainted in a distinctive green hue, and all chrome details have been restored. A new truck bed, finished with white oak and stainless steel rails and fasteners, has also been installed.
Retro Style Inside and Out
The interior is also completely redesigned, but Icon wisely preserved a period-appropriate look. There are no digital displays or distracting touchscreens. Instead, a Bluetooth audio system is seamlessly integrated, and modern speakers are discreetly installed in the cabin. Overhead, a rich dark brown Alcantara headliner adds a sense of understated luxury.
Other enhancements include brown leather upholstery for the seats, door panels, and steering wheel, along with custom wool floor mats that complete the interior without breaking the vintage theme.
Projects like this demonstrate how the spirit of the past can be combined with the capabilities of the present to create unique vehicles. A price tag of a quarter of a million dollars makes them objects of luxury and collectibles, not mass-produced products. The demand for such cars indicates a sustained interest in automotive history that can be experienced behind the wheel, but with the comfort and reliability that meet modern standards. This is not just a restoration; it is the creation of a new car with the soul of an old legend.
