Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Additional Photos: Scott Spencer
Scott Spencer bought a 1965 Chevrolet Suburban online in June 2012 for $1200. To outside eyes, the big ‘Burban looked like a basket case, but Scott and his wife Julie could see the shining star hiding underneath the rust. Looking at the showpiece the Suburban has become truly offers a testament to the power of transformation.
Prior to this, Scott had a 1964 Chevy pick up but at 6’1”, he found the truck a little small for his frame and craved more room. Scott had experience with Stock Eliminator cars,(A/Stock-64 Max Wedge for one), and even raced in the Firehawk Series. He was also the tech Director for 10 years in the Grand American Road Racing circuit. More recently, he started Opportunity Motor Sports in 2008 where he buys, builds and sells various cars. He was not stranger to getting his hands dirty, so a DIY project was less intimidating than it might have been to other people.
When the Ormand Beach, FL native first got the Suburban home, he was pleased to see that the body overall was pretty solid. He removed the body from frame and sandblasted it clean. All the patch panels were fabricated by Scott, while the doors and hood were found in Mayberry, NC on an old fire truck of all things! To make it more difficult, Spencer had to convince a Timber Rattlesnake nestled inside the hood of the firetruck to move along!
Even more challenging was Scott’s health. In the midst of the year and a half build, Scott suffered a heart attack. Quick work by the emergency staff and the hospital saved him, and Scott recovered quickly, anxious to get back to his project.
The engine is a ‘04 Corvette Z-O6 with stock 4L65E (4 speed) auto. The steering column came out of an ’86 S-10. Vintage A/C was added to supplement the airflow from the crank windows. The rear end came out of an ‘88 Chevy pick up with 3:42 posi added and air bag suspension. He wanted everyone to know how easily an ‘86 Chevy pick up front end cross member bolts right up.
She stops via front disc brakes (SSBC 12” slotted and vented) while the rears are 3” drums. Wheels are Boss 18×8.5 fronts with 245 series Michelins and the rears are 18×9.5 with 2.55’s. Scott also used 1/8th inch Birch overlay for all the interior panels, installing this over the stock floor to give the bed a warmer look. He didn’t like the stock front grill either so added a 1961 Chevy Grill because of the dual headlights and smoother appearance.
Once the body was fully functional, the Suburban was painted a 1969 Camaro Hugger Orange with 2006 Dodge Cool Vanilla exterior. The interior was fitted with plush leather buckets from a 2012 Ford King Ranch 350. Gauges are Dolphin and installed with an Easy Wiring Harness.
Scott aptly named his new ride for his favorite beverage. This “Bourban” is aged right, has plenty of horsepower and reflects the quality and passion of any hand-crafted bourbon! Way to go Scott!
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