Return of the Chevy Thriftmaster
Matt Finn checks out the latest trends in custom cars at the 2013 SEMA show, including a 21st century take on the classic Chevy Thriftmaster pickup.
You’ll have to be thrifty to afford one of these, but any classic truck lover should appreciate it.
The latest creation from California boutique automaker Icon is the TR Series, a retro-modern take on the 1947-1953 Chevy 3100 pickup, the earliest versions of which were known as the Thriftmaster.
This new one uses fully-licensed reproduction steel bodywork mounted onto a custom Art Morrison chassis with rack and pinion steering, independent front suspension, a 9-inch rear axle and JRE coilover shocks.
Under the hood is a Chevrolet E-Rod 5.3-liter fuel-injected V8 crate engine that’s rated at 315 hp, but can also be fitted with a Magnusen supercharger that bumps it up to 435 hp. Both six-speed automatic or manual transmission are available to go with it.
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The interior has a decidedly traditional look, but features the latest electronic equipment underneath, including Dakota Digital gauges, Kenwood navigation and audio, Bluetooth and WiFi. The seats and steering wheel are upholstered in bison leather, while the carpets come from the same supplier that Rolls-Royce uses.
The American ash and stainless steel bed floor may not encourage any heavy hauling, but they probably won’t have you ordering any spray-on bedliner, either.
Of course, while you can pick up an original Thriftmaster in nice shape for about $15,000, this 21st Century version is going to cost a fair bit more than that. Prices start at $230,000, and Icon will only be building about five of them a year.
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