Let's Talk about the Derelict 1970 Chevy C20 - The Ultimate Restomod Deception
Deceives with Innocence: The Hidden Menace of Icon's Worn-Out Chevy Truck
In the realm of automotive engineering, sometimes the catchiest ideas aren't flashy or groundbreaking - they're the ideas that hide in plain sight. Jonathan Ward and the Icon 4x4 team have brilliantly demonstrated this point with their latest creation, the Derelict 1970 Chevy C20. This truck is no ordinary restoration project; it's a masterclass in deception, a work of art disguised as a decades-old barn find while packing all the modern gadgets of a 2025 Silverado hidden underneath.
So, what inspired this automotive gotcha moment? Ward and his crew drew inspiration from an unlikely source: Confucius. Yes, the ancient philosopher. The quote, "You must study the past to predict the future," became the cornerstone for the most deceptive restomod ever conceived. Unlike those weekend warrior builds that toss a Corvette engine into an old Ford Falcon, the Derelict C20 is not just a modern chassis in an old body. It's a faithful 1970 Chevy C20 exterior, complete with authentic patina and rust.
But don't be fooled by the weathered lime-green paint job - this C20 is anything but antiquated under the hood. The engineering team at Icon managed to thread the needle perfectly, maintaining the "full OEM functionality of the Silverado's CAN bus systems," enabling you to ``plug an OBD scanner into this thing and diagnose it like any other 2025 truck sitting on a Chevy lot."
Once inside the cab, the illusion becomes even more compelling. The custom dashboard seamlessly blends Silverado technology into 1970s aesthetics, complete with period-perfect split bucket seats wrapped in Connolly leather and wool plaid, and even the HVAC vents and controls that hide contemporary functionality beneath their vintage veneer.
Powering the Derelict C20 lies one of the Silverado's available V8 engines - likely either a 5.3L or 6.2L under the hood. The truck drives, handles, and performs like a modern vehicle while tricking onlookers into believing they're looking at a timeworn classic from the 70s. The four-wheel drive capability even increases its off-road prowess over the original C20.
Details like hidden USB ports, an integrated infotainment system, and a backup camera all contribute to the truck's modern convenience, blending seamlessly into the vintage appearance. So, while the Derelict C20 may look like something your grandpa parked in the barn way back when, it's a perfect example of old-meets-new that will undoubtedly leave onlookers scratching their heads.
Speaking of old-meets-new, the next project in development is a 1968 C10 Short Bed. No pricing information has been released yet for the Derelict C20, but given Icon's reputation for high-end automotive artistry, it's expected to carry a hefty six-figure price tag.
Inside Scoop
- Icon's top-tier restomod projects typically involve significant customization and modernization hidden under vintage bodywork[1], justifying their substantial price tag.
- A 1968 C10 Short Bed is mentioned as the next project in development[1], further cementing Icon's commitment to creating innovative, deceptive restomods that blur the line between past and present.
- The Derelict 1970 Chevy C20, a masterclass in deception, showcases the convergence of the automotive industry's modern technology and the nostalgic charm of the lifestyle of its era, embodying old-meets-new within a faithful 1970s exterior.
- The car-maintenance aspect of the Derelict C20 presents an intriguing twist, as it boasts the full OEM functionality of a 2025 Silverado's CAN bus systems, allowing users to diagnose the vehicle using an OBD scanner like a conventional automotive.
- Carrying forward this innovative tradition, Icon 4x4's next project promises to be as deceptively alluring - a 1968 C10 Short Bed, destined to captivate audiences with its seamless blend of modern finance and automotive industries with the classic automotive style of the era.
- Within the elite realm of restomod projects, Icon'4x4's signature approach involves significant car-maintenance enhancements and modernizations concealed beneath vintage bodywork, ensuring the premium price tags that these artistic creations command.
