Leno points out that the highly-stylized components under the hood give the car an interesting look that often doesn’t happen with ICE-to-EV conversions. Ward remarks that these efforts help support this Mercury’s “SoCal hot rod vibe.” Meanwhile, dual-motor placement where the transmission usually would be and additional battery storage in the trunk help provide weight balance.
The EV system uses a Tesla Performance 85kWh battery array to deliver 150 to 200 miles of range and a 1.5-hour full recharging capability. Combined output specs for the system are 400 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, according to ICON data. It’s a transmission-less arrangement that promises a 120-mph top speed.
Cleverly, a CHAdeMO charging port stays hidden under the front license plate, while a Tesla Supercharger plug gets placed beneath the original rear fender fuel door.
Driving Into The Future
With Leno behind the wheel and Ward as co-pilot, this Mercury EV silently leaves the garage for a gasless journey on the streets of the San Fernando Valley. However, the two skip the typical conversation about performance and mechanical specifications in favor of a broader discussion of how electric technology is changing vehicle restorations.
While Ward’s ICON company got started modifying gas-powered classics, he expects that most of his work will shift to EV-related undertakings over the coming decade. Ward mentions that the Mercury conversion is one of his first such projects. Still, he has others waiting, including a 1946 Hudson “big boy” pickup and a 1963 Volvo P1800
Why Jay Leno Envisions the 1949 Mercury Coupe as the Electric Vehicle Restomod for the Future
