Words & Photos: Tommy Parry

Bob started this ambitious project with a definite timeframe. His father’s health was deteriorating quickly at the start of the build, and with the intention of having a stunning truck for his father to enjoy before he passed away, he certainly felt the clock ticking.

The build started humbly; the rusted truck was torn down to the frame and then rebuilt with a 283 from a 1964 Chevy truck, which was then mated to a 1983 TH350C transmission. Power is sent to a 1973 K10 posi rear with 3:08 gears, and the truck is channeled 3”, as well as lowered 5 ½” in front and 6″ in the rear.

Then Bob began tinkering. The stock torsion bar front was replaced with the crossmember from a 1978 Suburban, and then Bob fitted a set of Bell 2 ½” drop spindles, a set of 3” drop coils, HD disc brakes and a front sway bar for sharper steering response and reduced roll. Just because this truck is fifty years old doesn’t mean it can’t corner and stop like a modern truck.

With the cab removed, Bob mounted the engine and transmission, painted the 283, and then threw on a four-barrel intake, ram horns and fresh gaskets.

Little jobs came next. First was the shift linkage from a half-ton GM truck, which was mounted with a frame-side mount, then a power steering system from the same donor, which also contributed the brake booster and mounted to a ¼” adapted plate.

A modern fuel tank from a Chevy Blazer was installed with the help of some top braces made from insulated strap. The lowered truck grazes the ground at times, so the fuel tank sits seven precarious inches from the floor. Hopefully his roads are smooth.

With the body back on, Bob gave the undercarriage a coat of Rustoleum, and settled on a grille from ‘61 with a ‘60 center section to keep the front end clean and letter-free.

Next came the bed floor. After scouring the internet for what seemed like days, Bob found a few hundred-year-old Southern pines for sale, which were the only kind that would do justice to a build this clean. Planed, cut, and sanded, the planks’ few holes were epoxied, a quick frame from 1” angle was thrown on, and everything was seam-sealed from the bedside.

After months of repairing more rust damage, cutting and smoothing, Bob kept his head up, finding the constant search for improvement exhilarating. When that first coat of primer was laid on, a year had elapsed, but it hadn’t dampened Bob’s spirits in the slightest.

After replacing the windows, Bob added trim and a white roof for a little glitz on the outside, and a full leather bench seat to provide comfort for the passengers. Custom tailored in red and white, the simplicity of the exterior contrasts with the sumptuous interior, which boasts a rally wheel and door cards to match.

With a ‘60 hood painted and in place, the front end was given another style bump. The upper control arms were replaced with performance pieces from Performance Online to give the truck a sportier stance, more negative camber and a better alignment. Even at rest, the car looks menacing and purposeful.

Some striping on the bed, the dash and the doors, and that subdued, flat gray suddenly became the backdrop for a very stylish and intriguing machine. While it had the proportions, the ride stance, the polish and taste, it now also had some detail for the bystander to soak in when passing by.

After four years of hard work, the sweat and tears paid off. Bob’s chance to take his father out for a joyride had both parties grinning ear to ear, and all the obstacles faced along the way were long forgotten. Bob’s father passed on shortly thereafter, but not before he got a chance to see and experience this rolling piece of art. Perhaps it was Bob’s attention to detail that got the truck to where it is now, or maybe a sense of dedication to his father – the car nut who got him started. Whatever the inspiration, the quality of the finished product leaves nobody guessing: it’s a labor of love.