Creating low-rolling and pavement-altering haulers with large rims, rubber stuffed into the fenders, and wild paint schemes adorning the exterior are what most custom truck fanatics live for. We spend most of our waking moments building the trucks of our dreams in our heads and trying to create tangible representations of those images for boulevard-cruising and show-going excitement. Sometimes money and time can put a damper on making that custom pickup as close to one's vision as possible, but you do the best you can with what you have. A few years ago, I let go of my '90 GMC shortbed known by many as ONE4SHO. The truck sat low on an Air Ride Technologies air suspension, sported 18- and 20-inch Boyd Coddington billet wheels, and was clad with a traditional-flamed paint scheme over a retina-burning red basecoat hue. I gave up the truck to pursue my passion for boats, basically trading one toy for another. I must admit, it was nice for awhile to be rid of the upkeep that goes along with owning a highly detailed show ride, but I began to miss the thumbs-up at stoplights and the notoriety at shows that went along with driving and showing ONE4SHO. Let's face it, custom trucks always turn heads.
Recently, I began tossing around the idea of building another show truck and started searching for the perfect base. My search ended when I got word that Jason Hill of Hill's Hot Rods in Lubbock, Texas, had the perfect stock '85 Chevy C10 he was willing to part with. I had always loved the '73-'87 body style of Chevy and GMC pickups, and wanted to build something a bit different. Plus, I had one in high school and wanted a truck that would take me down memory lane every time I climbed behind the wheel. Building this truck would also reiterate my Dec. '02 Ground Zero, where I talked about this body style making a comeback. If you have checked out the show scene lately, it definitely has.
After talking to Jason, and working out some numbers, Ed White of Fast Eddy's Hot Rod Art in Katy, Texas, was contacted to draw up a rendering. After downloading all of the street rod-styled plans I had for this truck into Eddy's head over the phone, the rendering included here is what he came up with. Jason Hill and his crew at Hill's Hot Rods will be handling the majority of the project, including suspension, body, and paintwork. The exterior will be completely shaved, including the door handles, driprails, cab seams, gas door, taillights, stake pockets, side markers, and side mirrors. Street rod-styled billet mirrors will be integrated into the mix, and a custom LED taillight recessed into the lower tailgate region will handle stop and turn-signal duties. The back end will wear a custom steel roll pan, while the front will play host to a '91 Suburban front clip.
As for coloring, you just cannot go wrong with red, so a bright-red basecoat will be topped with yellow and orange hot-rod flames, pinstriped in pearl-green. Billet 20-inch front and 22-inch rear hoops will occupy the fenders. Well, I don't want to give too much more away at this point, but keep your eyes peeled to Truckin' magazine for the progress on this box-style Bow Tie. After two years of rest from owning a show truck, I am back and ready to hit the scene hard again, dragging my framerails the whole way. Until next month, keep hitting those switches, cranking good tunes (such as Aerosmith and The Pretenders), and cruising until your heart's content.