Icon Derelict 1949 Mercury - EV Resto Modding | Fully Charged

Resto modding is a term derived from when a classic car is restored and tweaked for a more comfortable life in the 21st century. In other words, retain the old school aesthetics but update the drive train, technology and drivability to better suit modern roads and daily commuting.
Icon is a company born to build resto mod classic Ford Bronco and Toyota Land Cruiser trucks to better-than-new. Their Derelict series of builds explores taking patinated weather beaten classic cars like this 1949 Mercury and instead of fitting the expected fuel injected V8, dive head first into the world of EV hot rodding.
Not just that, but when the bonnet is lifted there is a visual spectacle greeting you - and one that at a flash tricks you into thinking it still has a piston power-plant.
Besides the beautifully solid UV damaged paint lies a detailed new chassis, modern new suspension, wiring and cabin creature comforts to satisfy a hot day’s commute is So Cal. Is this the start of making EV drivetrains look sexy as well as provide blistering performance? Jonny Smith thinks so.
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[@stevesmith8522]

Proper craftsmanship, complete antidote to modern corporate America. We need to get back to this stuff.

[@snowstrobe]

Another example of how respected Jonny is in the motoring world.. and why FC is getting such exclusives.

[@kingkoolkata]

Hes just the best! He knows what he‘s doing and also asks the right questions. And of course he is very interested in electric cars and loves what hes doing. This makes the difference:)

[@tombley5760]

He's no William Woollard.

[@sprint955st]

Tom Bley No-one is.

[@carrollshelby8690]

He didn't get a chance to drive the car. He drove a battery powered kubelwagen instead. SCORE!!!!!!!

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

Tom Bley you’re showing your age😂 William Woodard was great but of that era Raymond Baxter was as good as they get.

[@adampoll4977]

Okay, that is engineering, meeting art, meeting nostalgia, in all the best possible ways. There is certainly pride in workmanship right there!

[@Jpmpmpm]

Perfection amazing work this is future👌👍😉😎😎🔝😍😍

[@voiceofinsight5811]

You've gotta love a guy who puts this much heart and soul and passion into this kinda work to produce this level of detail, just wow!

[@deepondroid]

Impressive auto journalism. Thank you Mr. Smith and FullyChargedShow team.

[@MrGoogle87]

Mechanic here: Was REALLY, impressed when they lifted it up...! Wow, it’s all new and improved underneath

[@garrygballard8914]

I am an old hippie muscle car street racer from Detroit and I freaking love this

[@LordOfCinder85]

I like how enthusiastic the guy is. Id love to buy a car like that from them but unfortunatly i cant afford it.

[@rkan2]

Do it yourself... It is easier than ever, and getting easier by the day.

[@Munkenba]

What Icon and others are doing is laying the groundwork and developing the techniques that will one day make this sort of thing much easier to do cheaply. So don't let it get you down that you can't afford it now, I have a feeling this sort of thing will be much more accessible in about ten years time.

[@jur4x]

I really want W124 coupe made into EV

[@Munkenba]

@@jur4x That's a fucking brilliant choice. One of those in black with batteries instead of back seats and 500 miles of range and two pairs of skis on the roof. I'm having a hard time imagining a better continent killer

[@Mike_Costello]

Falkenauge search EV conversion kits for VW. You’ll be surprised at the ease with which a beetle can be converted.

[@joemeans8212]

I’m so glad the vintage vehicle community has such a promising future.

[@UncleManuel]

Jonathan Ward speaks his mind loud and has strong opinions - but most of the time he's right. Johnny, I think you've earned the man's respect... ;-)

[@MD-bk7kb]

Brilliant episode, and yet another world first, you found an American with a sense of humour AND a personality, AND he wasn’t shouting..... you the man Johnny!!

[@Monkey_SK]

The craftsmanship on that car and the attention to detail is fantastic. It's so good to see old cars get a second least of life, especially as daily drivers.

[@kingkoolkata]

Honestly guys, I‘ve been watchig almost all of your videos, and in my humble opinion Fully Charged is the best produced and watchable channel for EV Stuff out there! Please keep on the good work and pleasure you put into your productions! I also love you own technical knowledge and the level of quality of all your interviews and reviews. Best wishes and greetings from Germany. Btw: because of you I bought a Zoe ZE40 2 years ago and recently a M3 LR! 😃 thank you!

[@FriedEgg101]

I don't know who's behind the channel, but all the presenters here are well-known and respected presenters on british tv, for the last 10-15 years or more. Jonny Smith here is a motoring journalist and presented "Fifth Gear" for about 10 years, Robert Llewellyn presented "Scrap Heap Challenge" and also played Kryten in "Red Dwarf", and Helen Czerski (who did the fusion video a few weeks back) presents physics documentaries for the BBC. So this channel has some high level collaboration going on.

[@coniow]

@@FriedEgg101 Robert started the channel some years ago, and I think he still pinches himself to make sure he is not dreaming, when he sees how it has taken off! A bit like that single mum who thought she would try and write a book. JK Rowling. The book being Harry Potter. 'Nuff said LOL.

[@tamasvarga67]

Agreed....

[@gregcavanaugh6259]

I continually have to remind myself that this is a "KZbin" channel. The content/quality/storytelling is just so good. Keep it up both Jonnys!

[@nigelbarber2667]

Great episode. UK company needs to convert a £5,000 Rolls Royce. The first company to produce a low cost mass market electric conversion plug and play kit will clean up. Government needs to offer its EV grant to certified conversion companies.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Nigel Barber A cheap old Rolls is crying out for this - have said that numerous times.

[@vidznstuff1]

@CARPERVERT Being done in the colonies: www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-16/vintage-rolls-royce-converted-to-electric-vehicle/9869888 "I will miss the rattles" No you won't, lady...you'll hear MORE of them.

[@royking1]

His enthusiasm is astounding! It is so refreshing to see someone who is that excited about his work.

[@SilverShux]

Great episode 👍 And yes Jonny, we do indeed love content like this!

[@ConstantThrowing]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME... this channel... good lord. I love it.

[@timdmx512]

what a cool boss. nice that he gave the nod to Jonny and his knowledge of the EV world.

[@johnpoot725]

Bonus - Ward is Extremely Good at expressing himself. That's legendary, too:-)

[@MrHugd77]

wow, what he has done with the engine bay or EV bay as it is now is amazing how he has put the time and effort into making like a normal V8 ICE, it is beautiful!! awesome attention to detail on the mercury and should drive amazing. more more more

[@NDKY67]

Whatever he's doing next...i want it!

[@TheRocky3211]

cracking episode . Love this guys philosophy, bringing new life to some awesome cars .

[@Re5ist_ance]

I like that Ward dude .. this is the guy to choose if you have some cash to play around and mod your junker - love his passion. Good episode Fully Charged :)

[@undrcoverlouky]

I've known about Icon's gasoline cars for years. So when I saw Icon and Fully Charged, I assumed I read it wrong. I love that Icon is now into EV and that Fully Charged is giving them the attention they have earned. Two greats!

[@PilotVBall]

Those fuel to EV conversions are the coolest must have that I've seen in a long time. That's the all out envy trophy right there.

[@dwc1964]

I love this guy! "Whatever he's doing next, I want a part of it."

[@IacobusBond]

Beautiful work. I am glad someone is taking these old cars and giving them a new lease on life. I like the building for the future in the design. As battery/motor/etc technology improves, it can be incorporated into the vehicle without scrapping it. Car manufacturers should take note. This approach on your electrics could be a huge competitive advantage.

[@richardanderson9340]

This guy at ICON needs his own show. That stuff is brilliant

[@legarsensmartelectrique6899]

Keep these vids coming! Classic car conversion to electric is the ultimate car recycling bringing back soul and longevity to cars. We need more of these conversions and access to them. Too bad the production is so costly now, but it shall get better.

[@dr-k1667]

There is a guy on my street that converts classic cars for himself and sells a few. When he passes my house in his roadster with the top down I smile... even though it runs on gas. At the time Tesla was still a babe in the woods, but I see a few classics rusting and want them restored and made into EV's. FC has shown me that my desire for these classic gorgeous shapes that had character ( something car design is still sorely missing in every segment and price point for the most part) are being loving modified for the future. I love these episodes and the fact that we won't have to loose the bright spots of our past to enjoy a future.

[@hammerhance]

Fully Charged should have been picked up by the broadcast commissioning executives a long time ago. This Episode and many like it, not least 'First Light Fusion' demonstrate the level of expertise on both sides of the camera, from research, to presentation and then production. I might start a petition to get this on the parliamentary agenda so we can get Fully Charged maintstream and educate the masses. I want Johnny, Robert et al on my TV.

[@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel]

They do amazing work! You're spot on in saying that whatever they're doing we'd love to see.

[@markwellington1254]

Icon is a great concept to revitalize these classics and show the world what an EV car can truly be and do! Again thanks Johnny for the always comprehensive review and look for all EV vehicle.

[@PaulMansfield]

as a sometime network engineer, I really appreciate the tidyness of the cabling and the attention to the mechnical layout. This machine is crafted lovingly and the result is beautiful. I hope that we get to see it again when it's finished and the paintwork is fully restored. I would be sad if this ends up in a collector's private museum and rarely driven in public, a car like this should be reliable enough to be driven regularly, and it deserves it!

[@simonpersson7495]

This is awesome! I absolutely love old classic cars AND ev’s.

[@losslessification]

Ward is such a fascinating character, fantastic video Johnny and the team.

[@daverayasr.6287]

ICON does my favorite builds. If I had a choice of any car I would choose an ICON derelict over most anything! They really are THAT good!

[@maxpesh]

Friggin' brilliant, waiting 30 days now for the finished product and video. That guy is sooooooooo passionate about what he is doing. It's a breath of fresh air.

[@Deacon_biscuits]

Two of the best automotive shows on KZbin, can't wait for the return visit to drive this work of art.

[@Ryukachoo]

Hell yes, I've been waiting for Johnny to drive this beautiful thing

[@anthoslykos6294]

I love electric resto-mods. I grew up with an 89 Honda prelude and my parents still have it but it sits in the garage now because it has so many issues and finding parts for it now is kinda hard. Seeing conversions like this over the past couple years has made me want to take the prelude off my parents hands and completely convert it to electric, modernize the interior, and keep my childhood car alive in the future.

[@mancaveproductions00]

This is a monumental car for these times, the new owner is getting a magical car that mezzmerisers peoples minds.. the builder is so a head of the curve we will look back in ten years when we will be retro ev fitting our petrol vintage cars..

[@brocluno01]

Well done J & J. This is absolutely the future of classic and vintage cars on the street in regular use. Faster, quieter, quicker and way oh so cool :D

[@Buzzhumma]

Yeah man. I had an fj45 1983 land cruiser and I wanted to make electric for 15 years but had to sell it last years. I can't wait to see an all electric icon version. His recos are the best around. Wonderful human 🙏

[@DOSputin]

Huge respect. Engineering is alive an well in America.

[@mboiko]

Great show love you being in southern California reporting on all the latest in EV's..

[@Luchoedge]

I really liked that guy. Sounds like a really cool chap! And the stuff he's doing is freaking amazing!

[@rossmoore2844]

You and Icon! Incredible! You hit a home run with this!

[@BillB23]

Two of my favorite channels have intersected. Kudos!

[@berguidf]

This is indeed the future and yes, I want a part in it. Great work!

[@pangit9999]

Damn, such an awesome episode. Broadcast quality, beautifully shot, fascinating subject matter. And you can see the mutual respect between these two guys. Fully Charged is easily one of the best things on KZbin, love it

[@joehodgson2815]

Two of my favourite KZbin channels and two of my favourite presenters, really work well together, truly excellent video!

[@staninjapan07]

Right, whatever he's doing next, I want a part of it! What a fantastic episode. I want to be that guy, the Icon manager. He so obviously loves what he does, and what he does is so obviously easy to love. That big, old American (50s?) car is simply amazing. I would guess that the cost of the work and parts runs into six figures and the the first figure is not 1. Still, you can't employ people with such a level of expertise and skill for small-change. Thanks for the episode. What great work the FT team gets to do.

[@bengalvin71]

One of the best episodes I’ve seen. I think I love the retro EV’s best. Please go back to drive the Mercury and see if he’s done and Land Cruisers. All I need now is to win the lottery.

[@samroundringerr6635]

This man really made me encourage to buy one of those cars. And honestly, they totally changed my mind on classic cars and their adaptation to today's technology.

[@lloydprunier4415]

Really enjoying the E/V evolution thing! Seemed like a whimsical joke to start with, and now I think there is no stopping and the world will be much better off! Still love the old I/C engines and vehicles I grew up with, but like me they are best left in past and kept alive by people who can afford it.

[@madisonvillavert5692]

This is one of the coolest episode so far. Awesome.

[@paulturner2379]

That is just of the scale - unbelievable, spectacular, thank you for bringing to us

[@proximaone1350]

Built in obsolescence business model is destroying the environment. Great video, I love this idea of electric conversions especially land cruisers!

[@jays2002]

Big fan of both John and Johnny. Thanks for the collaboration with Fullycharged Mr. Ward. They're "quality", as are you. ;)

[@alaneasthope2357]

A perfect fusion of old and new. Kudos to a humble, unassuming man who is obviously an engineering genius that loves what he does. When Tesla are up to full production, they could have a nice profitable sideline in selling drive trains to enthusiasts.

[@chrisb508]

This is my favorite EV trend. That Thing is too cool.

[@RWBHere]

It's a beauty! Looking forward to seeing you driving it. Thanks Jonny, and Jonathan too.

[@previouslyachimp]

What a great guy, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and doing things right! Excellent, I look forward to the return visit.

[@captainric2364]

What a cool company! And great episode as always!

[@r.a.monigold9789]

OMG - way to go ICON but even more - thank you Fully Charged for sharing...

[@returner323617]

Great to see that Richard Dreyfuss has second-lifed himself in the world of retro/rebuild...

[@pcfronin]

One of the most interesting people building cars at the moment

[@JonathanLaliberte1]

You should get him on some more he is obviously extremely experienced/knowledgeable. Kudos.

[@TheGazmondo]

What a great relationship you have there ! Well done, and yes let’s have more, what a great guy.

[@RustOnWheels]

I loooove icon as much as I love you guys so this was a huge treat! Very, very inspiring and great to see two of the coolest open minded classic car enthousiast I know together. Very cool!

[@leplum2001]

Really enjoyed that. As good as one of Robert's - he is the champ after all.

[@Anon12428]

i just love Icon ! great video ! new wave of hod rodding

[@daveg3846]

What a top episode, Jonny truly feels like a mate! What a fantastic company Icon is, very inspiring. Thanks.

[@tamasberki7758]

Im not really a car fanatic, but that thing is a 100% art, a sculpture carved by angels. Beautiful! The only thing is the chademo socket in the bumper, I wouldn't put it there, first thing what breaks off if you bump into someone.

[@bmoulas]

I wanted to go and have my eyes checked after watching this, then realized the cameraman is the one who needs his eyes checked. Love the video, love the interview style and want to see more, please give the cameraman a hairnet and an apron and send him on his way.

[@vladx2]

Jon’s passion is just amazing

[@nonyanks2510]

As usual, another excellent feature buuuuuy Jonny!

[@JellyMan3634]

Ward is such a legend, he's brilliant on the smoking tyre podcasts

[@FulviaFiend]

As much as I love all your videos, could you ask your camera person to work on their focus pull? I find the constant changes and out of focus static shots very distracting. Otherwise keep up the superb work :)

[@TomsManShed]

I totally agree...why some video producers seem to think sudden blurring and zooming in and out makes something look better is beyond me (its not in FC yet and I pray it never is).......its not realistic as in real life the brain acts like a gimble and smooths things out....whats wrong with a tripod?....just wants to make me turn off...its only in this vid in tiny bits and 95% of it was fine so am hoping its not the start of becoming more just for the sake of looking 'trendy' like the the Jason Bourne films awful use of shaky cam it just makes it unwatchable....great vid though and presentation as always.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

I think on this trip we had a serious autofocus error on one of the cameras. Apologies.

[@StephenBell]

@@TheLateBrakeShow Yep. spoiled it a bit for me. No professional cameraman should be using autofocus at all; but especially not in a two-shot situation, as the camera will focus on the background in between.

[@Lilmiket1000]

lol god idk whos better the guy being interviewed or the car. His personality is awesome and so enthusiastic lol. and like he said those cars are covering up such amazing work underneath! Be a real shame to crash one of em. they are one of a kind.

[@Kallenator1988]

Sound lads, and ladies. Matching the car lift safety bolts with the music, good call!

[@michael007ish]

Damn. My two favourite channels together in one video. This was amazing!!!

[@myhotrodtv]

Wow. Great video. I luv seeing the classics getting electrified.

[@dewiz9596]

My very first car was a 1949 Monarch, the Canadian version of the Mercury. I rescued it from a junkyard in 1964. Having endured 15 Canadian winters, there was a fair amount of rust to repair.

[@Xylomethazolinhydroc]

Großartig! Wenn ich die Kohle hätte, ich würde auch so einen Mercury bestellen egal was es kostet, der ist einfach der Wahnsinn.👍🏻

[@Rob-hx6on]

I love this guys vision, its the best form of recycling.

[@nielswinters5246]

Best way of recycling, really well done.

[@itchywitchy]

That is amazing. What a fantastic piece of engineering.

[@and1111000]

Very interesting people, places, videos, products and interviews. Thanks.

[@garthhayward9581]

great episode so good to see classic master remanufactured bringing these vehicles to EV life.

[@matmul4850]

Just chilling doing fk all on a Sunday afternoon watching an awesome little video like this. Perfect 👌

[@SquareoftheyearFM]

Nothing quite like when an engineer is comfortable with someone enough to show their excitement for their work.

[@vidznstuff1]

Which one is the engineer? One's a journalist, the other is a child actor that turned to restoring cars.

[@SquareoftheyearFM]

🤣🤣🤣 The child actor that turned to restoring cars. Don’t let your past dictate your future.

[@alwAudio]

Wow just love the enthusiasm and the engineering. Can't wait to see more!

[@SirPlankton]

Dont think I've ever clicked on a FC video this quick before. Instant like!

[@pub6023]

True Tesla opened the door, your building the house for that door Jonathan. Awesome build with seriously clever tech, well done!

[@tonylorentzen]

"You artistic swine" had me laughing for a good few minutes.

[@CCGR-2024]

I would love to see him EV an old Land Cruiser, one of the early two-door no-frills type like the yellow one Jonny was standing next to at the close. Great video!

[@iamconio]

Tesla should really think about just selling a drive train package to sell to modders like Icon

[@lavafriction]

Good idea

[@CorwynGC]

Yup, as soon as they run out of demand for their other products...

[@kingkoolkata]

That would be awesome! Elon! If you read this?! Do it! 🤘

[@Adrian-jn9ov]

There are barely producing enough batteries for there current demand of cars that they can't produce enough powerwalls for people that want them.

[@volvo09]

Others can do that, tesla is good at selling it and hyping it, but there's really nothing special about their electronics.

[@TERRYB0688]

What a nice man, all power to him and his company