ICON Derelicts: A Romantic Marriage of Old and New - CAR and DRIVER 

I asked that question about "when are you going to paint it?" And this owner of an all original untouched '40 Chevy pickup replied, "You wouldn't paint the Mona Lisa would you?" I don't ask anymore.

This guy...hes doing a Gods work in a modern mans world! I salute him.

This guy knows his stuff, thank god we still have people like this.

Sir, you are turning out pure art, this should have been thought of years ago, and there would be more classics on the roads still. ONE BIG ATTA BOY.

he would very well in Cuba, this is Really fantastic and shabby, love it !

I have always dreamed of any 1956 or 57 Chevy body over a today's tech and safety standards. Having the opportunity to purchase that over the car I purchased this year? There would be no contest.

Howard Huges used to do this - take hoary old used cars and then have his engineering staff put modern engines in them. No one suspected that it was Huges driving these old beaters. He had one built for Katherine Hepburn as well. She described how she enjoyed being able to shop like a normal person. People would see her and say, "gee, that looks like Katherine Hepburn - but that can't be her, look at that POS she is driving!"

Now THIS is a 'watch a few times just for the delight of it' upload. And all I can say is.. I GET IT. Absolutely, thoroughly; I GET IT. This guy Jonathan Ward (who conceives these cars) is a creative comic mechanical/technical artist. I love his romantic vision with these cars he designs. The Original aesthetics of a WELL used Art Deco junk-yard classic/ cleverly merged with all the latest radical technology Goodies = Performance ! Wow . I mean, Come ON ! True sleepers...... A GENIUS OF OUR TIME.

At 9:05, they were talking about door hinges and door latches being a "weak spot" on that '52 Desoto. They got that right! About 1959, my dad was driving a 1952 Plymouth (with me, then 4 years old, riding shotgun). Dad took a curve too fast and drove the car into a ditch. I still remember to this day how his driver's side door flew open merely because he bumped his shoulder into it before impact. Fortunately, we were not hurt. It was not until the late 1950's that car door latches were legally required to be made safer so that they won't fly open by bumping into the door. So I would say ditch that original door latch/hinge mechanism and put a safer modern door latch/hinge in it, before you wind up getting ejected from the car, if you are driving a pre-1958 car!

These patina cars are true art. I an restoring a 59 Fairlane , this is the look its going have. open for the best way of doing this..

This guy, Jonathan Ward, is a genius. I would love a "derelict" and have been dreaming of cars just like this for ages.

I've wanted to do this for years.... nice work.

LOVE this car! Jonathan's work is second to none!!!

Absolutely beautiful. I love it. I got into patina cars about 10 years ago, before they became an "in" thing, when I bought a 1964 Ford Fairlane 4 door sedan. The body was straight and rust free (except for some surface rust) it was white at one time, now it is half faded white, half surface rust and red oxide primer, and everything in between. It ran, but had some mechanical issues. My original intention (I am an auto mechanic by trade, sadly mostly late model stuff, but a vintage car enthusiast) was just to keep it patched up and running, fixing something when it needed it. I almost sold it once. Then I decided to get serious about it. I replaced the 200c.i. straight 6 and 2 speed Ford-O-Matic with a late model Mustang 5.0 and automatic, Replaced the whole front end with a Mustang II setup, rack and pinion, disc brakes, installed new rear suspension, axle, rear discs, new driveshaft, all new electrical system, etc. It still has the complete old body, torn and rotted weatherstripping and all. It leaks when it rains. But it never rains here in Phoenix AZ. The floor was done in truck bed liner with mats, and the seats were done in marine grade vinyl, so I don't really care about the water leaks. I drove this car from Phoenix to Seattle WA and back at freeway speeds, had no problems at all. Got lots of looks. I'm totally hooked on vintage patina cars now.

I love this style it's so sleeper but killer att the same time awesome 👍

Classic cars like those are just so beautiful, modern cars just look so bland and boring even a 1950s truck looks better.

If I could afford it I'd do it in a heartbeat! Maybe a 49 ford deluxe coupe. Absolutely love that car and thank god for guys who just do stuff like this. It makes the world a happy place.

Very cool! Someday I'd like to hire Icon's crew to rebuild my old van. The only thing I'd change about this DeSoto wagon: modern seat belts. Really great concept and Jonathan's vision is pure funky brilliance.

I get what he is doing! Nice job, Mr. Ward. Looking forward to future videos.

just gives you feeling of old good days. thanks for the video!

this makes my heart pump

Absolutely love this concept, I've always imagined it, great to see people now doing it and doing it really well

As a guy that tends towards the newest and best I totally get this and would love nothing more than to have one of these amazing "Derelicts" in my driveway.

That's a really cool concept. Also the perk about it is that it doesn't matter if the car gets small dents or scratches!

I get it and I love it. I have a 1960 F100 flare-side coming from LA to Brisbane Au in about 2 months. I can't afford to re-engineer it like this but certainly leaving the 55 years of history on the body!

Jonathan Ward I a true car guy... I love the work he does. Fantastic .

Amazing cars, so much style and character

The classics. Gemme all of them. It doesn't need to be a classic under the hood, but the looks.

I love it! I've always wanted to do something like this with a big 60's Caddy like my dad had when I was a kid.

Who the hell worries about a lumpy idle in a classic car. I love that feeling, it's like the car just wants to go.

I think this is the most interesting breakout realm of the hot rod industry. A car that makes you look but not afraid to drive. Also a blast from the past that most rodders clammer for. I am a dweller in that sliver of which you spoke. Mike Fifer

I get it and love it. This type of car has been in the back of my head for years. I'm glad to see someone actually doing this.

I love it!!! It's kind of like building a sleeper. Looks old and rust but functions like a newer car. Repurposing old cars!

Jonny Lieberman said about the Icon Derelict! "THIS CAR IS RIGHTEOUS!"

What a good interview! Really well done. I'm all smiles about these cars. At a lower cost, older motorcycles are a good option for patina enthusists. I had an R-75/6 BMW with just a few thousand dollars invested that would hang with modern bikes in the corners well enough to surprise most of them. Nothing like passing twice your horsepower on the inside.

Been subscribed to Car and Driver for a long time, but I've never paid attention to the Tested series. I feel ashamed, this was wonderful! Very interesting and Jon Ward is definitely one of those guys who has a vision and puts it into action. One of my favorites up there with Horacio Pagani and Christian Von Koenigsegg, and even though they are in two totally different worlds within the automotive industry, these are the guys I look up to.

this is what i have been waiting for i get it. love the concept indeed. wish i could do this,i really do. thanks icon

Great build, a fun car that makes people smile.

This is my fav derelict. So cool, so American, so fun thanks Jonathan.

Still my favorite..I remember when this one showed up..spooky vibe !

I agree with Jonathan Ward. Get old car and make it run and reliable as daily driver.

If I had the money I would buy one.

used to call them sleeper back in my day...bring them to the track looking like a heap and blow some doors off

I've always wanted to upgrade cars from the 50's. I even redesign their exteriors in my head, making them works of art and refinement, but it would take a design dept. to make the changes a reality.

That dude is a genius!! I want a car like that

I really like his creations. I want one.

You did it we are proud N proud of you keep going Mr Iconic

i'd love to drive a 1950-1970 era chevy c10 or c20 over and type of cars produced today, the cars back then had attitude and passion put into them

Steal looking great this guy and his crew are one of the best at doing this !

I had a similar idea, except using old Easter Bloc cars, and building them from scratch, with modern technology, rather than repairing a few abandoned wrecks. Many of the ones we had here should've been put together with more care back in their days (ESPECIALLY the Dacias), so building these old type of cars brand new, well put-together, from good materials, and with all the modern amenities hidden from sight would be the way to go.

My friend Smokey had a 53 DeSoto sedan with the front seat bolts pulled away from the frame, so he had a 2x4 wedged between the front and back seat to hold it in place. Trouble was that if you had to stop real fast, the board would come loose, and the front seat would fall over backwards.

man I hope this guy is still in business when I go to buy a car man, I LOVE that wagon

Jonathan...dude...you're the best

I GET IT. AND I LIKE IT

WOW! Absolutely love the concept! Great work!

Thanks CARandDRIVER for a particularly fascinating, and compelling ,'modernization', of some truely classic, old cars. Having said that, I am moved to recall my first car, a 1952 four door Chrysler Saratoga, and of the sheer majesty in its dove gray paint, blue and white striped cloth interior, and--of course--acres and acres of flawless chrome. However, 'brought up to date', as by ICON, still, I would not like to see it rusted-through as if neglected. Surely some restoration would be better ?

i have total respect for what you do, and for the fact that it is mostly still mopar, but i will keep the original 413 and dual plane brakes in my 62 imperial, i do know that old mopar is hard to find any parts for, but i love both old and new, and you cannot beat the original ride and performance, that 413 is scary at best, you are a mechanical pro, and thank you for sharing, but please dont call my old car a dedelict

This guy is AWESOME! Hes got a great vibe!

Johnathan Ward = Genius !

love it! hope to see cars like these fitted with electric motors(tesla technology) instead of a newer gasoline engine.

i love this idea of a classic sled like that with a more modern powerplant that u could use daily and get that classy feel back on the road but still stomp on it and have some real power on ur side. id really like to see him do a real 32 ford or a chevy fleetmaster

My two old buddies spent their lives restoring cars that they wouldn't drive.. I can't stand garage queens, I want to drive them or not own one.. This is the perfect solution, thank you, can't wait to see more and scheme on how I'm going afford one of your jewels..

Loved this video great job Car and Driver, And I love new and old cars and the car featured in the video the owner is very passionate and you can tell he totally gets car people.

I have a 1953 Studebaker Commander, and just like urmomsayswhat. The deep pockets are what I don't currently have, which is why I purchased the Stude.

Awesome reporting! So insightful -- when you restore a car to perfection you wind up afraid of driving it... or avoiding roads because there might be gravel bits on the shoulder. This lets you enjoy the beast with reckless abandon. I now get the whole concept of a derelict and I love it!

I looked up "old car body on new car" and this came up, not exactly what I was looking for but still incredibly cool and worth the watch I want to see someone get a new corolla or something and put a 70s shell on it, so all the interior is new and just the outside is old it'll probably be something that's happened maybe a handful of times and probably not something I'll find a video of though.. if anyone knows of one please hit me up lol thanks for reading this for some reason love you

I GET IT!!! So does this make me a car geek?

Awesome concept...love it !!

This is exactly what Ive been looking for! love the concept and want to build one like this myself!

Older, Wiser, and way more Fun. Carry on.

Love the look and the saving of vintage tin I do like putting modern drive train but I am not a fan of the low ride stance,my 79 Ford pickup is the way it came from the factory in 1979,I've had several old cars in the past and always ran them factory stock.

The lizard is a perfect addition!

Just fantastic

Great interview. I loved hearing his thoughts on the project.

AWESOME! A real car with real character.

I have seen this car featured on other u-tube sights. I do "get it" and would enjoy owning one.

I guess I am with those who don't get it. It would be much more satisfying for me to see this car restored to original, with shiny chrome bumpers, paint, original wheels and engine.

wow very very cool i love what your doing with these old cars

thats how my restored car would look like its a beauty

I think this is a great car just the way it is. I love the sound of it.

Wow! I want a car like that! Maybe a 1950 Olds or Buick 4 door sedan...

"Modern mechanical goodness"!? Anyone who has ever replaced a fried ECM, an ABS module, or a set of $500-apiece coil packs can be forgiven for laughing at that statement.

he has a awesome point about trying to create something thats perfect, it will never be perfect. end of story. just enjoy the ride.

The best name for this behaviour is "reverse coachbuilding". Instead of building a body to fit running gear, it's adapting running gear to an existing body.

He deserve to salute him

I want to buy this car!!! I saw it on Jay Leno's Garage too+it's a great mix of old+new BUT I'd paint it+have everything chromed+polished but still use it as a daily driver.

Man, if only I can hit the lottery!!!!

Very cool. I really appreciate the authentic enthusiasm and superb attention to detail.

this car is so perfect

man I love De Sotos This niche is for people like me, and I'm only 22 years old

Insane money Should be able to create ones own for ten percent of that cost, that Chrysler is probably less than 4k, for a not running scruffy patina machine, nutty

Love it this is something i wanted to do put a new updated undercarriage and power train in a1954 chevy wagon. Just never had the cash.

I think it looks great as is!

jaw dropping engine sound!

ive recentle begun seeing allot of these type of vehicles one the streets of so cal...great upload

HELLS YEAAAAA!!!! Love this concept. I would love to be able to have one of these derelict cars. Im thinking 38 Ford pickup, Coyote motor, TCI 6X trans, Cobra IRS rear end, a boxed aftermarket chassis, some variation of widened wooden spoke wheels. Awesome!

this guys is cool as a fan. that's just awesome what he has going on. kudos.

I would love to have one of those cars. That Desoto is freaking awesome!!!

Jon Ward is the only man (I know of) who builds vehicles the way I would want one built. Respect for the original design with modern, bullet-proof guts, these cars are built to be driven.

I guess you can call this a sleeper express. A normal sleeper would be a pickup truck with 900hp, stock wheels, and sticky tires, plus necessary structure to make it last with the added power/torque. A sleeper express would be one of these. Modern performance in an unassuming package, rather than just being a straight line piece.