April 2010- In the search for "the next big thing," both individuals and companies tend to focus on what has yet to come. Sometimes, though, they find the past holds the key.

Such is the case with ICON, Van Nuys, Calif., a company that designs and builds handmade jeeps, and the CJ3B.

This vehicle is modeled after the flat-fender Willys Jeep, which was first manufactured more than 60 years ago. According to ICON's Web site, Willys Jeeps were considered "man's best friend," hence the nickname The Dog.

"We chose the Willys as the foundation for [this] model because ... it has a loyal global following, tons of character and unique utility due to its compact size," said Jonathan Ward, CEO of ICON, in a Wallpaper magazinearticle. "I think what makes The Dog so special is the sense of history and quality, purposeful design in detail. Our chassis refinement shines once you sit in it and go for a drive, with a performance and comfort that are almost counterintuitive to the look of the vehicle."

21st-century update
The Dog of today has a steel body with a custom grill coated in polyester Teflon powder coat, as well as a full chrome moly steel roll cage with integrated seat belt anchors and grab handles.

Its 2-in.-by-4-in.-by-0.14-in. mandrel-bent, wrinkle-free frame rail supports the platform-specific, coil-over suspension, according to ICON's Web site.

The Dog has an Ecotec engine from General Motors, which has 210 hp and 195 ft./lbs. torque. Additionally, CAD-designed motor mounts cut down on vibration.

Featuring four-wheel coil suspension with triangulated four-link rear and panhard front-linkage designs, The Dog can handle myriad types of terrain.

Strength in numbers
The Dog was not designed in a vacuum. Rather, it was a collaboration among Ward; BurkeBuilt Motorsports LLCA, Temecula, Calif.; and Michael DiTullo, a senior designer for Nikein Boston.

The ICON CJ3B is available in a limited edition of 10, and each is hand-built by Ward and ICON's top technicians. FFJ