1963 Chevy C10 Black - Less Is More

Apparently 2007 was the year of the first-generation C10s, as builders and customizers (or maybe it was just us) realized the greatness of the nearly 50-year-old body style. The '67-'72 C10 body style has always been popular-even more so in recent years. But for some reason, '60-'66 C10s have remained the best kept secret in classic Chevy trucks. Okay, the early years had odd hoods with turn signals that look like nostrils, but Chevy got things sorted out in time to have several years of great-looking trucks. Like Mark Barbee's `bagged blue beauty, Brian Ellison chose a '63 model for his frame-up build, too.

According to Brian, he picked up the truck on eBay for $6,800, "-with the plan of having a daily driver. The truck had factory power steering, A/C, power brakes, and all options-including the big window." Brian knew before he bought it that he wanted a power sliding rear window. To make it a reality, he took the '63 to his long-time friend, Adolfo Flores at Saticoy Auto Body & Paint. The crew disassembled the complete truck and handed over the frame to Manny Vega at Anacapa Soda Blasting. Once it was clean, the frame was given to Armondo, Manny's brother, who took on the task of boxing and smoothing the frame. Once Armondo was done with the rough welding and grinding, Saticoy Auto Body primered and blocked it before spraying several coats of PPG Lexus Gray. The frame components were assembled by Donny at Don and Toms, who also installed the suspension, while Armondo Vega set up the Borgeson variable-speed steering box and located the motor mounts and crossmembers for the LS1 Corvette engine and 4L60E trans that was built by Steve's Transmission in Oxnard, California. Rod Giles set all of the stainless brake lines and plumbing, while Dustin Burr from Wilwood bolted the six-piston big brake kit on the Early Classic 2--inch drop spindles.

Brian had a "less is more" concept with the final appearance of the truck, but he wanted something to stand out. Flames were just too predictable. In Brian's own words, "I needed something like a loud tattoo on a pencil-necked geek that kinda makes you wonder if he can kick some butt." Asanti luxury wheels were the answer. A set of AF-145 22x10--inch steamrollers on the rear, and a set of 20x8--inch on the front made all the difference in the world. Rolland at RBP made the call for Brian and the wheels were custom-cut for the truck with the proper backspacing. With little room left for rubber, low-profile 295/25R22 Nitto Tire NT555s were mounted in back, with 245/30R20s in front.