ICON Mercury Electric | Jay Leno's Garage
Jonathan Ward is back with his latest Derelict, and this one is fully electric but still wonderfully retro!
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A new video every Sunday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.
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“Without the right client, my stupid ideas just keep me up at night”. Perfect quote for anyone that builds custom stuff.
I'm stealin' that line and putting it on my business card......I stay awake a lot at night....get most of my " work " done at 3:30 AM
@@kirstenspencer3630 I used to now \i just sleep
I feel that too
meaning more $$ then brains
@@katana258 Oh come on. The Icon $2K leather jacket $11.5K watch are darn stylish and good value.
It was cool the way he make it look like a V8, and the way he kept components looking vintage, even the "gas" cap.
Agreed!
One of the most enjoyable guests in the series. He's genuinely funny, knowledgeable and...well, genuine. If I had that kind of money, I'd work with him in a minute. I don't, but I can certainly enjoy seeing his work.
The ICON guy is one of the best quality custom builder...all his presentations are smart and great!
Expresses himself so articulately and accessibly. Seems like a high IQ but not in the least haughty about it.
I know Jay doesn't put guests' cars on the lift, but this is one car I really wanted to see underneath of and have Jonathan explain everything going on under it.
Good point. The camera guy never even showed the radiator when they were talking about it. I don't think ICON wants people to know everything they do about making this conversion. Remember, money was not a problem for whoever wanted this conversion. I'm not sure if they really accomplished much, since the problems in CA with electric supply and water shortages are all factors. Goof ball Gov. Gavin Newsom was telling people a couple weeks ago NOT to charge their EV's at certain hours, due to their self inflicted energy crisis. The woke crowd has succeeded in shutting down about 5 major power plants in the North West that supplied power to CA, and other near by states.
@@mgermca Thanks, that's fantastic!
@@GnatGoSplat Mate, don't. It's spam and a scam.
@@TheSonic10160 No worries. I knew it wasn't really Jay, notice I addressed him as "Fake Jay". I don't know if Telegram has any legit uses (never used it myself), but a lot of scams coming out of there. Thanks for looking out for me though, much appreciated. 👍
@@TheSonic10160 , Everyone should press the 3 dots ••• and follow the prompts and Report Unwanted Spam. If enough reports are made, they're taken down.
Love how Jonathan dropped a plug for Jay's detailing supplies.
His shop really uses all of them! Has a whole mini-shop shelf of his products.
Many of the car manufacturers can take lessons from this gentleman! Kudos to Mr. J Leno for ushering in the new era!
I really love this build. Most if not all new EV's are super techie and feel like they're trying too hard. Even though this took massive amounts of work, it has that natural feeling to it. This is how it should be.
Cost was never mentioned in this video. They never mentioned what the distance was either on the car if fully charged. There's a whole lot of factors in play in the real world where cost matters, and the availability of electricity. Who knows what CA will be facing in the future due to their current water and electric shortages.
@@tompastian3447 Yet you aren't too concerned about the cost of gasoline or diesel project cars.
@@tompastian3447 I think you missed the point of william's comment.
@@scottmeeker9971 Why would you say "I'm not too concerned about the cost of gasoline or diesel project cars? First, I know nothing about diesel project cars. Second, the reason Biden's poll numbers are in the toilet is because he has caused the spike in gas prices. CA gas prices are almost twice per gallon of what we currently have in FL. The prices of gas will continue to escalate if the US doesn't start producing more of it's own oil. The problem of the highest gas prices in US history, and the problems of electric shortages in CA are both man made. A good part of those problems are because government scraped perfectly good technology to suit their climate change agenda.
@@1DEADBEEF1 Tell that to Joe Biden. Joe just tried to get the Saudis to keep the price low till after the election. The Saudis chose to stick it to Biden, and reduce US exports by 2 million barrels. I did mention in other posts under this video, that gas is at an all time high at the pump because of policy, not availability, i.e. Joe caused this problem. CA currently has an electrical supply problem, because over that past decades, their woke policies have shut down 5 power plants.
Jay and Jonathan just shot the breeze cruising all over the place in this stunningly beautifully built car. It runs so silent and comfortable, they never had to raise their voices once. And that low mechanical rumble actually fits the cars character. NOBODY will EVER see it coming in it's true form. I LOVE that. The interior work is simply stunning. Because it works together and nothing sticks out as odd. The entire car has a fifties hot rod vibe to it. It's perfect.
What are your thoughts on the rusty body patina trend? I'm torn.
Poet.
@@emo65170. This car is all about being different, not what meets the eye. It's within character. Assume it's only surface rust.
@@emo65170. Shabby chic. The novel Future Shock predicted primitivism and faux decay as a reaction to sitting inside in manufactured sterile environments divorced from the natural world. Personally, I love the authentic patina that only decades can produce, further enforced with the real deal outside and the best inside. Stellar!!
"Stunningly beautiful"? You've got a really weird sense of beauty. A shiny, completely restored 1949 Mercury -- or even a restomod of the same -- would be a thing of beauty. This thing just screams, "Nobody bothered to wash, wax or put this car in the garage for the last 60 years." I mean, who wouldn't want to own a car that the builder itself describes as a "derelict"? There are two good things about this car. First, nobody needs to know that you just paid at least $200K for this ugly junk when restored originals or restomods are available right now for a fraction of that price. Second, you can continue to leave leave this thing outside for another ten years without bothering to wash or wax it and nobody could tell the difference.
Getting to sit shotgun and enjoy your guys conversation and insight is truly a gift. Always loved all the Icon builds and can't wait to see more.
He is a master custom builder!
Love listening to Jonathan talk about his process and his choices.
Destroying a genuine Americana???? That's Enviro geek BS.
@@warriormagazine6905 It's the future, Trog.
@@scottmeeker9971 No, I prefer to commit suicide before driving an EV
@@warriormagazine6905 It's not for you and that's fine. The engineering behind this is what I love. I'm not an EV person but others are. Why should they only drive new cars? America!
i love hearing them say engine by accident im sure. ;)
I didn't expect to like this, and was pleasantly surprised. Mr. Ward gets it, and you can tell he genuinely loves the soul of the original car. Very cool!
This is an incredibly executed vision of resto-modding an older car as an EV. Fingers crossed that one day when the EV infrastructure is robust and kits like these have dropped in relative price, I can put one in a square body Blazer (for example) to make a wonderfully retro daily driver. Still keeping my ICE-powered Camaro as long as I can though :)
Ok, here's why I think Jonathan Ward is great: while he pulls off the progressive hipster artist techie thing, way down deep inside he's still one of us, a real obsessive car guy. He is authentic and I think even non-car people sense that and trust him for it. Very rare combination and very cool the way he puts it together.
Direct Drive baby!🦊
HAa. You put words to exactly what I was thinking! I'm a big fan of all his work..
Jonathan is the example when a car guy turns car nerd. And he is cooler for that. Love his videos when he totally geeks out on his builds.
Why couldn’t he genuinely be both things? He may not just be “pulling off” a progressive, he may just be.
@@harryballzack If we had unlimited money we'd all be him. The level of detail he puts into his builds is incredible. He ignores nothing.
What a great attitude Jonathan has. He has respect and love for the old beauties, married with a real understanding of the modern tech -and the challenges the planet faces. Reduce, Reuse, UPCYCLE! Thanks again Jay.
This guy comes across as very genuine and likable, which goes a long way with me.
Really happy to see Jonathan and Icon back on the show. While my automotive dream was in its infancy back in about 2018, I was seeing Jonathan and his company featured here and completely enjoyed learning this rapidly growing sector of the market. Back then I could hardly imagine how far my interest in the industry would carry me. Jay, Jonathan, thank you for everything.
Jonathan Ward is an artist and an inspiration. What a guy!
Jay usually knows so much about the cars he features; this is the rare case where the builder throws him a curveball every step of the way!
100% ... and the guest is really sharp and well-spoken. Jay was on the back-foot the whole time and seemed almost uncomfortable (being a control freak).
Well, you dudes have to remember that Jay is mainly a combustion engine guy! I think the electrics, except for his own antique Baker electric, kind of throw him off a bit. I know the feeling. I've been a car guy since the age of 8 and now in my late 50's I really don't understand much about these electric cars.
@@michaeleaster1815 Jay's a detail guy. Jonathan Ward takes detail to a whole new level. His builds have been on Jay's channel and others. He ignores nothing on his builds and money is no object.
I did find myself laughing out loud that every plausible answer Jay offered he ended up being corrected. It almost got to be an Abbott and Costello routine. Thankfully, Jay was more invested in understanding than stroking his own ego.
@@Rapiddrive1 Jay handled it gracefully, but he's dyslexic and I sensed that he was unsettled (as he likely was in the classroom). One way dyslexics cope (understandably) is to control a narrative, and he usually has a firm grip on that. I might be wrong but I think he (a comedian) never joked about it being an A&C routine.
Wow, driving the car through Jay’s garage, it was eerily quiet. I love however, the way Ward explains everything with great flow. Very laid back and incredibly informative without boring you to tears with facts and stats. We love love to see more of him on the show.🙏🏻👍🎧
Thanks for watching Let's talk via the number above 🎉🎉...
"Upcycle" a word that will stick in my brain forever Jonathan... another masterpiece you have created here...
The body of this car is hysterical! The color, the rust and the little lizard - I love it! ❤ And underneath it, the product of a lot of thought and engineering love. Beautiful vehicle.
That was my thought. He integrated the patina and old styling into his mods so well even Jay couldn't tell the difference on most of it.
Icon does nothing better. Check out their merc 300sel
I got to talk to Jonathan when he was showing this Merc at the SEMA show In Vegas. He gave me the whole nickle tour. A very nice guy, nothing pretentious about him. An awesome job, on a classic car.👍🏼
✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️......
I love listening to John talk about the industry and his approach. The guy sounds like a high tech guy as well as a car guy. Cool car. The 48 Buick convertible he brought in was one of the best videos Jay has ever done. Jay loved that old Icon!
The Rolls Royce he did is still my favorite from an outrageously crazy restomod standpoint but the engineering, above the usual with him, puts this in a really close second place. If I ever win the lottery Mr. Ward, I'll be one of those customers wanting to let your brain run wild on a creation.
To turn that particular vintage Rolls into a restomod is a sin of the worst kind. For us classic luxury car guys like ME anyway!
Million different ways to be a car person. Some buy $1000 tires just to burnout, some never let the car go outdoors or run drive, etc etc Jay's said quite a few times. Whoever paid the money can get/do whatever they wish! May be just to get that Rolls and destroy it (may have trauma from being abused in one, desiring one so bad that their family fell apart who knows) there is no and shouldn't be a rule
@@retroguy9494 What is your view of chucking this vintage engine in the bin and replacing it with an electric motor?
@@keithmarshall7715 Well, as I recall, the Rolls restomod Jay reviewed was a '58 Silver Cloud. There were only about 2,200 of those made. Conversely, there were 120,000 of these '49 Mercury coupes made. There are still a lot of them around today so its okay to take a couple of them and trick them out. In addition, it was an average car many people owned. But the Rolls, besides BEING a Rolls, are so few in number that the ones left should be preserved as stock. That particular vintage Rolls is almost like a work of art. As are most of them made before the '70's. Its not the type of car one should make into something it was never intended.
@@retroguy9494 I think Mr. WARD has the talent, ability and vision to match anyone involved in the design and development of any existing automobile, RR, Duesenberg, Ferrari ... included.
Just knowing that such cars can exist - makes the world a nicer place.
I always got a retro vibe from the TT but never thought of it that way @10:50. Now that Jay made the comparison… the resemblance is actually undeniable. I guess what’s old does become new again! Anyways, thanks again for another great start to the week Mr. Leno!
MOTORS!!!!! Not engines. But, I am guessing they're just saying that to irritate us all for fun. What a beautifully engineered fully realized car! A masterpiece!
Judging by the conversation on the cooling system, I’m not sure words have meaning for this guy.
I love the fact they made the electric hardware under the hood nice to look at, contrary to the bland black boxes you usually see on converted cars. Possibly the best EV conversion I've seen so far, and one I'd gladly own myself.
Nice to look at, and a lot neater than the typical electric car apparatus.
Wished they spruced up the hood, it looks terrible and I don't care if they gave it a name for why it looks terrible and normalized it .
ICON's builds are truly stunning. Especially their "Derelict" cars.
Love it! Thanks Jay for having such great cars and guests!
Jonathan Ward is a daggum genius. To invent what went into the Merc and make if fit and operate so smoothly is incredible. I'm stunned.
I'm for saving any of these old cars in any manner. Cool car!!
Imagine someone getting into this as you're walking by. The sound of those doors closing is a thing of beauty.
I'm an engine guy, first and foremost, but I do like the current (pun not intended ) EV technology. I absolutely love this build because it's very tastefully done.
You DO eh? So what do you think? You think we'll make sleepy Joe's target of being all electric by, what is it? 2035? I don't like the damn things. Nothing like the rumble of a good old fashioned American V8! Except perhaps a Cadillac V-16!
@@retroguy9494 The industry's to go all-electric by then. But there's no talk of banning ICE's already on the road. And many countries are contemplating exceptions for enthusiast cars. So, knowing the average lifespan of cars today, we can expect to see people daily ICE powered cars into the 2060's and enthusiast cars to stay on the roads indefinitely.
@@retroguy9494 The Tonight Show host of 2120 will have gasoline powered cars just like Jay has steam cars from 100 years ago 🙂
@@jakobholgersson4400 Well, yes, I know that at least here in the States the program is that all NEW cars sold by like 2035 have to be electric or at least not gasoline internal combustion. They aren't going to make everyone trade in their old cars. That would be impossible anyway as many people cannot afford to buy new cars. 2060's eh? Well, that's good because I'll be dead by then! LOL Hopefully they will not ban classic and antique cars here. I'd hate to have to sell mine!
@@zapfanzapfan Yea bruh. That is, if there is still a 'Tonight Show' 100 years from now or for that matter, if there is even television at all! LOL From what I read, more and more people are getting into streaming what with the high cost of cable, satellite, etc.
Hey Jay ! Heal up and get well, brother ! We will all wait expectantly for your return !
Just saying this car will ALWAYS be relevant, beautiful build, well done, lots of fun
That is a waiting list I’d like to be on. Great show Jay and Jonathan!!
Beautiful Car! Great Build! It’s great to watch someone who obviously loves what he does talk about it. The enthusiasm just oozes out.
Being an old school gearhead I'll have to say it's definitely got a Wow factor under the hood...I Dig it
I like this guy Ward, true car guy with a vision for classics.
Really enjoyed this video! So much knowledge and love of cars! Couldn't look away!
I am so glad you went over this special ICON ... a real treat!
What a great guy, open minded and knows what he's comfortable building.
"don't tell him it's an EV. He'll be heartbroken" 😂
What a wonderful episode... Thanks for sharing and thanks to Jonathon Ward and Icon for putting out such an amazing vehicle.
This guy lives this stuff. Loaded with information and enthusiasm. Fun to watch.
my all time favorite guest on the show. ICON once again delivers!
✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️🎁🎁.......
Me too
You love whiny people that destroy cars?
the coolest EV i have ever seen plus your not cutting up the body too much im really liking these style of conversions
Jonathan Ward and his team at Icon do incredible work...this is absolutely undeniable Jay.
I absolutely *LOVE* that car!! And the leather steering wheel wrap is almost identical to the one I did on The Guild's 1946 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Speciale... Thanks for the video, Jay!
This is awesome! Thanks Jay for this cool video on this awesome car and your friend!
In the movie "Gattaca", everyone drove old classics converted to electric. Great movie.
Yes, I really liked the visual style of that film. I remember seeing a lot of Studebaker Avantis.
Jay,This was a great episode, it was educational, interesting, and a look into the future. Well done!
This guy took the cars soul, Jay knows it too.
I didn't think that I would enjoy this at all but it was a really interesting episode with a very unique guest and car.
He starts talking battery tech, 400 volts, next time 800, independent 4wheel etc., Jay's eyes glaze over and he moves to trying to open gas fill cover. It is truly a beautiful car just left the way it is. Nice work getting this one on the road.
Two wonderfully unique guys enjoying each others views. Great video!!
Love these guys, and love the Derelicts. Some of my favourite content.
@@taponmyprofiletoconectwithme FO
The Perfect mix. Way to go Jonathan.
When is someone going to electrify an AMC Pacer?!!! It's the car I didn't know I needed!!
Icon Motors Guy is a good salesman. I'll bet he does really well for himself in California.
No doubt. I heard about this build, without many details , on a public radio car show broadcast in Los Angeles, well before it was finished, only because they heard about it through the automotive grapevine as being a sensation that would shake up the industry. Have to say, it kind of puts the guys who pride themselves on the innovation that wins big car shows as being mired in the past. Because they also are working with pretty much unlimited budgets, but are turning out obsolete stuff, no longer on the cutting edge of imagination.
Johnathan Ward is one of the best human beings in the Automotive world. He is so damn transparent with everything and lacks all BS and pretense 🙏👍
I am officially newly in love with the '49 Merc.
The seats and door trim are absolutely incredible and I wish we got a few more shots of them. Look like it could have easily come stock in '49 but actually a much more eye-catching design than factory.
I'm glad that Eric Clapton found another passion :)
Eric Clapton's always been a hot rodder actually.
I saw that a few years back in a booth at the SEMA show. It was amazing. I bet I stopped by at least once each day of the show, and I'd find another detail I missed previously.
J & J thanks for sharing. I'm glad cars will still be around when we every thing goes "The Fifth Element"! You have the greatest Job!! Luv the show!
Congratulations send me a direct message on Telegram for your surprise package🎁
What a joy to drive the Mercury it must be. It looks like a great way to spend an afternoon.
Would much rather have this a resto mode, now that would be cruising !!
Another episode of “Jay Leno’s Electric Garage”
Yep. Jay's gotten on the ESG Score, Green-Renewable-Save-The-Planet Bandwagon.
I’ve always loved and followed Icon motors. Always wanted a Land cruiser or Thrift Master done by them.
But seriously though, what a beautifull build, the charm of vintage cars is something else
Really enjoyed this icon creation, love the execution. Old look super hi-tech drivetrain. Keep bringing these unique wheeled vehicles to the channel.
Great way to start the morning! Thanks Jay!
This guy is my hero. Speak nerd, but I understand him. That car is so sweet. Luv the original patina and original look of the car. Great job.
Great work. Happy to see the luxury on the vintage.
Excellent automotive concept! Pretty car & nice technology. Great Interview, Jay!
I love that engine bay. That guy is %100 a car guy and engineer.
Look up his company ICON. He only puts the best quality components and the best engineering in his cars. Money means nothing to him, it costs what it costs. He's obsessive in all the right ways.
I love listening to this creative genesis describing his loving creation.
Mr. Ward is a true automotive genius and hero. Inspiring dude!
this is a fantastic car
I love combustion engines, but I have been contemplating EV converting one of my classics. I love this one!
Only do it on a classic where the engine was horrible or drive train has been thoroughly destroyed. I'm a massive BEV fanboy but I also love special engines. Some old cars should not be swapped, this does not include a dime a dozen 911.
do it !! I've been wanting to do a conversion to my '51 Stude for years and years now; time and money is my current problem; ha ha
When two favorite car dudes, of quite different perspectives,find a common language. Never miss their offers. Thx Jay.& Jonathan.
Big kudos to your camera team! Such beautiful views - really allowing viewers to get a better sense of the vibe of the vehicles ❤
The SOUND those doors make when closing is just..... sexy? Solid? Substantial? It's like a vault closing, like nothing could get through them :)
That is utterly wonderful and I want one.
Congratulations send me a direct message on Telegram for your surprise package🎁
I've said it before and I'll say it again... Jonathan Ward is my spirit animal. Always good to see Jonathan and Jay get together.
Jay's looking like he's thinking geez I didn't think this guy would go full flamer in front of the camera like this
Thank you Mr. Leno for the great history lesson, I have always loved this builder. Every time he’s on your show, I just love the fact of putting an art Morrison chassis on an old vehicle gives it new life, if I could ask anything I would love to see a review with Art Morrison. I’m not a big fan of electric vehicles, but every time I watch your show, I warm up a little bit more to the obvious.🙏🏽
I don't see where EV's will be so great. I see transportation becoming more complicated and more expensive with EVs. The rare metals needed for EV batteries will probably require digging up half the planet.
@Mo MNC Yeah mate, totally agree with you. It's getting harder and harder to find things not to like isn't it?
@@tompastian3447 With today's batteries yeah. Tomorrow's? Almost certainly not so much. Should we have stopped making cars when they were still powered by steam, because motoring would have eaten all the forests? Oh... Gotta' ask, did you even listen to the conversation between Jay and Jon? I really don't care what you see regarding transportation, because frankly it doesn't seem like you see very far. These blokes do.
@@akadacat It's hard to pin down what this conversion actually accomplished. Johnathan states that for the most part, money was no object. For the average Joe that has an old car he wants to drive 30 years from now, (my family happens to have a 50 Mercury), there's no telling what the electrical situation will be in California, what the cost will be, whether this company will be around in twenty years if you need to service the car. Due to the ever changing technology of EV's, there's no more certainty with this conversion than if he kept the gas engine. Consider what EV's cost now, how batteries have become more expensive, the availability of rare metals needed to switch the population to all electric vehicles, the enormous problem of charging these cars, especially on long trips. There are many many variables to conclude that EV's will be a big success.
Always look forward to seeing what they come up with next, they never disappoint.
'Crazy 'Bout the Mercury'. K.C. Douglass, 1952. Ward's a creative genius. Love that Icon builds could blockbust MOMA but live cruising the PCH. Understated, detailed timeless beauty + engineering. [What happened to American auto design? To abandon all that wonderful WWII airplane design & voluptuous solidity seems like willful incompetence.] This masterpiece renews a life affirming love affair with the American automobile. iViva Icon!
Listen to the drivers door latch. Thank you jay for asking the right questions " like 134 ?"
Professor Leno and Maestro Ward, thats what I call the team. An extraordinary piece of engineering, the Merc. Thank you gentlemen for doing what you have been doing.
I love what these guys do
What a great selection of stored cars Johnathan mentions in the latter part of this video. 1941 Graham Hollywood, 1947 Pontiac, 1946 Hudson.
Jonathan's the Porsche 356 and the Gullwing projects are brilliant by the way, just brilliant
I think classic conversions has a GIANT FUTURE! Outdoes Tesla on cool, BY FAR. Some companies doing conversions, crate the original engine, and related systems, and the conversion is fully reversible. Makes a lot of sense. I'll bet many end up selling the engines off. All crated up, and ready to ship... Also, a way to help the seller defray some of the conversion cost.
Well, that's a new kind of scam artist. Go away, scumbag.
I also think such a future could be very appealing to anyone who appreciates old things, and, because of the freedom from ICE complexity, not just be limited to car enthusiasts. I am hopeful I can steward my old 2003 convertible corvette well enough to avoid the crusher, and , although I won't live to see it, one day in the far future , when battery or systems technology has advanced far enough to not screw up the car, it will be converted to run as modern , and continue to bring usefulness and joy.
Jonathan Ward is not only a brilliant engineer, but also a master communicator! Hugely enjoyable and then some!
Now thats a beautiful electric motor...amazing
A powerful streamlined design from yesterday's styling . What a sweet beautiful cool car ...'t even has wabi ❤ !
Absolutely brilliant. Hope I can do this to my truck in 10-15 years.