Collision and paintwork go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Obviously, if it's wrecked and repaired, it must be painted once again to show the vision of its former self. It should come as no surprise then that some of the coolest, smoothest custom paint jobs come from paint and body shops. Robert Meza is a paint and body man and the owner of a body shop, so in all of its Cadillac-like glory we give you Robert's version of what Cadillac should build if they chose to create a standard cab shortbed Escalade.
With the Cadillac crest prominent...
With the Cadillac crest prominent on the shaved tailgate, the fill-in details come from the Cadi taillights and rear bumper.
Hugging the ground with 22-inch wheels and rubber requires extensive quantities of metal cutting and fabrication. Bringing the project to a rolling start are Belltech 2-inch drop spindles fastened in between the factory upper and lower control arms. Firestone 2600 airbags were served up fresh with a set of short Toxic nitrogen-charged shocks for daily driving needs and show-going drag sessions. Excruciating Metal Works in Alvin, Texas, whipped up a steel two-link to replace the rear leaf springs and an additional pair of Firestone 'bags rides under the bed. Two Thomas compressors stuff a 7-gallon tank for normal driving duties, while a nitrogen tank mounted latitudinally in the bed whips the 'bags into shape at crowd-inspiring speeds. Robert's 2001 Chevy sucks up the Boyd Coddington 22-inch Turbines and 265/35ZR22 Nittos when the truck lays at total zero.
Slow and low, that is the tempo and this Chevy proves it with almost nil on the performance scale. Upping the ante just a curly hair for the O.E. 5.3L is a cold air intake with its accompanying heat shield painted to match the truck. Also painted in color matching fashion under the hood are the radiator shroud and cover, a Cadillac factory engine cover, the fuse panel and electrical relay box, as well as the hand-fabricated wheel tubs protecting the compartment from debris thrown by the Nittos.
By far one of the best executions of incorporating Cadillac equipment on a Chevrolet, Robert showed his penchant for metal and paint. Being as the exterior area is his canvas of choice, the bulk of his pence were spent here. On the Bow Tie's nose is, obviously, a Cadillac front end, but it's the lower beltline body pieces that make this package a head turner. Also borrowed from the Escalade are the door handles, rear bumper cover, and taillights. Setting on the shaved tailgate is the mark of distinction known as the Cadillac crest. Special touches are the chromed tow hooks and a stainless grille overlay. True Blue's color is a one-off formulation done up by Robert himself and painted in-house at Robert's shop, Alamo Custom and Collision in Alvin, Texas.