Vehicle Description
1964 Chevrolet C10 Pick Up For Sale 383 Stroker Motor Turbo 350
Trans Leather Custom Stereo Vintage Air Conditioning/Heat Power
Steering Power Brakes Headers Aluminium Radiator Electric Fan Mini
Tub Auto Meter Gauges Seat Belts Beautiful Condition Roger is a
custom painter with a respected reputation, and about three years
ago he started looking for a shop truck, something kind of cool to
be an everyday driver. The word was out, and soon longtime friend
Kenny Baker called-he had found a better-than-average running and
driving '64 Chevy shortwide. A deal was struck, and the fleetside
found itself in Roger's shop for a few minor adjustments to make it
a reliable shop truck. If you know Roger, then you know he can't
just go halfway with any project, especially when it's something he
will be driving. The project started by lowering the truck's
altitude. Roger feels "bags" are for groceries, so when it came
time to lower the truck, the stock chassis was reworked starting
with a pair of 3-inch dropped spindles. Shorter coils were then
thrown in, and the chassis was updated with parts from a '74
1/2-ton, adding power steering and disc brakes. The front
crossmember was moved up 2 1/2 inches with ball joints from the
same late-model mounted to the stock control arms. Moving to the
rear, a Ford 9-inch was mounted to a pair of '91 Dodge pickup rear
leaf springs. To make room for the suspension, the bed floor was
raised 5 inches by Eric Yohe, who handles chassis work in Roger's
shop. The chromies are Wheel Vintiques' Smoothies, with cones and
beauty rings added for a simple look. Goodyear thin-whitewall
16-inch radials front and rear give the truck that slight rake for
a perfect stance. While work on the chassis was in progress, the
engine was sent to Dennis Millert in Kansas City, Kansas, for a
total rebuild (Specialty Automotive handled the machine work). Now
this isn't just a stock crate engine- Dennis performed his magic by
transforming a '76 Chevy 350 into a very warm 383. Speed Pro
pistons were connected to an Eagle crank via a set of stock rods. A
Crane Power Max cam along with a set of Vortec heads make all the
power this little truck needs. An Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
manifold with a 650-cfm carburetor and a set of Speedway headers
move the gases through custom-bent tubes and Summit turbo mufflers.
All this is sparked by an HEI ignition and MSD wires. A 2004R was
also reworked with a mild shift kit before taking its place behind
the new engine. While the motor was out for rework and the chassis
was being modified, Roger concentrated on straightening the body.
All the emblems were removed for a cleaner look, but the only major
body modification Roger made was dropping the front fender lip 2
inches to reduce the wheel opening. The grille was swapped for a
'61 model, and stock bumpers from LMC were also added, along with a
'57 Chevy car mirror. After Roger massaged the body to perfection,
he applied a PPG Silver Moss Green metallic. The final step was
finishing the interior. Sam Wright of Hot Rod Interiors in Baldwin,
Kansas, was called on to apply his craftsmanship. Sam custom-built
the seat and door panels before covering them in silver Naugahyde.
He also built large map pockets for storage to make up for the loss
of the glove compartment due to the addition of the Vintage Air
unit. A salt-and-pepper nylon loop carpet sets off the silver
interior just right. Engine-turned vinyl film dresses up the dash
panels along with a set of Auto Meter gauges, while Roger picked a
Speedway Bell-type steering wheel for a vintage look. As Roger
says, what started out to be a simple shop truck got out of hand,
but don't think this will stop Roger and Cheryl from putting a ton
of miles on it. They say the most memorable experiences you have
with an old truck are driving it to rod runs and hanging out with
friends. After all, coming and going is the best part.
