Jonathan Ward’s first sentence in his newest video was “this is a weird one” and I would agree. This fourth generation (1991-1996) Chevrolet Caprice might be one of the weirdest projects ICON has ever built. Jonathan says that ICON tends to not work on late-70’s, 80’s and 90’s cars because there is a lot of plastic and “no soul.” But after talking to the client Jonathan eventually came around and his team took the “under the radar but intimidating” design theme as a challenge. In true ICON fashion nothing was left untouched. All of the exterior badges, door handles and grill were 3d scanned and CNC’d out of aluminum. Under the hood they installed a 6.2 L LS3 E-ROD crate motor which produces 430 horsepower. Behind that sits a either a 6L80 or 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission. The flat black body rides on a full Hotchkis suspension and Baer brakes. All these mods results in one of the nicest and probably most expensive 4th-gen Caprice in the world.
Update 8/25/2016 – Jonathan Ward’s Road&Track article on the Caprice
Source: Jonathan Ward
That is one case of seriously awesome. It would take a Mega-Millions jackpot for me to be able to afford some of his work…
I am curious what occupation the owner has. When you look at the money spent and then all the upgrades in the car and components in the trunk, I wonder what type of job would need that?
At about 49 seconds into the vid Jonathan stated the customer said “when he was in the states” he has to do extensive interstate travel and doesn’t like to fly.
The apparent “gun safe” mounted in the trunk could easy travel worries with firearm and ammunition. Plus the “James Bond” type stuff. What could that be. I have thought several times about stuff like lo-jak, on a 200K plus car you can bet I will have it, but it is never mentioned in any video. I would have assumed someone like DEA or that ilk would ask for something a little less sinister..
You are probably right. But given the amount of money it cost, this person could have purchased any other car or had any other car modified but they choose an old Police cruiser. I guess their love for the Blue Brothers is so great they love the idea of traveling in a former Police cruiser.
I’m a huge fan of Joilt Jake and Elwood too! In fact, I have a ’91 Caprice, same color! Having a friend make push bars for it too!
I was on the ICON website and this car was listed and had a brief write-up. Mr. Ward stated there it was an ex-DEA car and the owner had a personal history with it. So he is either a current/ex DEA agent, or has been busted and taken to jail in the car…lol
This is the article Jonathan wrote for Road&Track http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a30507/icon-chevy-caprice-build-process/ This is the quote that really has me guessing.
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I would seriously like to know if any parts are left over from the original? I’m searching for center caps and chrome trim rings for the rally wheels I’ve picked up for my ’91 Caprice. This one looks bad ass!!!!