Rusting 1950s DeSoto Wagon Boasts Unbelievable Interior
IN CHATSWORTH California, what looks like a parking lot full of rusting cars, is actually home to some of the most original custom-built rides in the world. The vehicles that leave the 'Icon' workshop under the 'Derelict' brand are unique reimagined classics. Dated vehicles in awful conditions are revamped, making them fit for modern day driving. However, the company never restores the shells, giving these vehicles their trademark rough and rusty look. Founder Jonathan Ward told FutureStudiosCars: "Derelict will never repeat the same build twice, each one is a singular high-functioning sculpture." The first ever Derelict build, still owned by Jonathan, is a 1951 DeSoto Wagon mashed up with a Chrysler Town & Country. By combining elements from the two cars, the Derelict DeSoto is completely authentic on the outside, but modern on the inside. Modern A/C units and bluetooth audio connectivity are some of the modern-day features of this one-of-a-kind masterpiece. But why keep the original shell? "I wanted something alternative but imperfect, so that I don't have to worry about it - I don't want to be that guy who is super stressed out about that first scratch," said Jonathan.
Transcript
00:00I wanted something alternative but imperfect. We get a lot of grief from people, I don't really care.
00:11Each build is a singular high-functioning sculpture.
00:20Chatsworth, California. This may look like a parking lot full of rusting junk.
00:28But don't be fooled by the scruffy shells.
00:32The vehicles that lead the Icon Workshop are unique reimagined classics.
00:41Derelicts will never repeat the same build twice.
00:49Each one is a singular high-functioning sculpture.
00:54But why the unorthodox finish?
01:09And this vehicle is an epic two-car mash-up.
01:24Bolted the two together and then I was like, yes, okay, now we're on.
01:28Original car didn't have AC. All the knobs and the switches are still kinda sorta in the original position.
01:35For the modern AC controls, I could maintain the consistency.
01:39Like same with the gauges. I didn't restore them and make them all pretty.
01:42Everything down to the acrylic and the typeface is authentic.
01:45But behind the scenes, it's all video circuit board, state-of-the-art.
01:49And then the audio system, it's a Bluetooth-dependent digital sound processor interfaced amplified audio system with bass.
01:58Meaning I just control it from my phone and there's nothing visual that you have to interface with in the vehicle.
02:06This was a 3,000-hour build for Jonathan and his team.
02:10And it comes complete with some quirky touches.
02:14It's just fun to add a little bit of tongue-in-cheek, have a little sense of humor in these builds.
02:18With this one, I went to a really cool old aircraft surplus place and bought some vintage hardware that's used throughout the vehicle.
02:27There's a cool before-flight release safety pin that I used as the hold-down on the air filter enclosure.
02:35Overflow reservoir for the radiator. I scored a 1800s whiskey bottle.
02:41And then with all of our vehicles, everything has our mascot, the icon, Lizard, on them.
02:47Fun thing with the derelicts is he's never in the same place.
02:50And it's always responding to the shape of the car.
02:53Just feels natural, like he would sun himself there.
02:57He's right there up front on the hood.
03:02Jonathan's company started out as a land cruiser service center.
03:06And he wasn't prepared for the impact the DeSoto build would have on his business.
03:11For a little pinch, is Thursday or Monday good for you?
03:17When I built this wagon, it was like a nights and weekends personal project.
03:22But then within like a week or two of finishing it, it started getting all sorts of love and attention.
03:29And next thing I know, it's on the cover of Hot Rod magazine.
03:31It won some design awards and it was like, oh, I guess I can keep building these.
03:36Let's call them derelicts.
03:38And now the Icon team are producing 10 of these one-off customs a year.
03:43It starts with generally either a client has an appreciation for our antics.
03:49And they come and say, I just love the concept.
03:51What do you want to build that you haven't built yet?
03:54Or it's hyper-specific.
03:56Something that the client already has a deep emotional relationship with.
04:02Then I'll get kind of down and dirty with the client to understand a great number of things, including what's their style?
04:09What materials do you find appealing?
04:12How obnoxious do you want it to be?
04:14Do you want it to be fast or do you want it to be stupid fast?
04:18But despite business booming, not everyone shares Jonathan's vision.
04:22We get a lot of grief from people with the derelicts where they think we're idiots for putting all that time and energy into it,
04:29but leaving it looking as if it's left in the barn.
04:33You know what, though? I don't really care.
04:36It's stuff that excites me.
04:39And the fact that it's not for everyone kind of makes it better to me.