When Paul Crandell brought a red on red '91 Chevy Sportside home, it wasn't exactly a stellar example of a perfectly maintained vehicle. His wife, Jennifer, questioned his decision to buy what Paul referred to as a POS, but as the truck progressed, she, too, became attached to the truck that she dubbed, "Mister C". With Paul's vision and a lot of work from the guys at Metal Asylum Kustom Finishes in Glendale, Arizona, the C1500 is a textbook example of how stunning an '88-'98 Chevy can be.
Chad Anderson at Metal Asylum worked with Paul's vision of the ultimate custom truck and worked diligently to bring it to life via the battered '91. Chad shaved the door handles and tailgate handle, added a new front bumper and roll pan, and bolted on a cowl-induction hood. The crew at Metal Asylum smoothed the dash and prepped the exterior body panels as well as the inner fenderwells and engine bay for several coats of House of Kolor True Blue Pearl before Grape Kandy ghost flames were applied to the truck's hood and flanks.
An updated grille was also painted to match, and was filled with billet grilles to match the bumper. Clear headlights and reflectors completed the look.
Underneath all of that brilliant blue is a chassis built with the same attention to quality. Ridetech A-arms were modified and fit with a set of Shockwaves and drop spindles, while the rear leaf springs were de-arched and given a pair of Ridetech 'bags and a set of Toxic shocks. The finishing touch on the chassis is a set of Ultra wheels tucked inside 245/35R20 Pirelli rubber.
The interior of Paul's truck might be our favorite, as it's hard to make an '88-'94 interior look this good. Billet trim, fresh carpet, and a painted dash go a long way in transforming the cabin, but the Dakota Digital dash and two-tone upholstery take it over the top.
This truck is simple, clean, and a realistic driver that you, too, could build and own.
Level 10 in Mesa, Arizona,...
Level 10 in Mesa, Arizona, built a custom box for the Alpine 12-inch sub behind the seat, and installed an Alpine head unit in the dash. Weaver's Upholstery, also in Mesa, is responsible for the custom door panels and understated bench seat.
The engine compartment surrounding...
The engine compartment surrounding the 5.7L V-8 is sanitary and the engine features Jegs headers, an MSD distributor, and billet valve covers.