1946 Studebaker Pick up Street Rod- Randy Wilkin

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Customs -N- Classics

How often do you think a $99 find can be used and turned into a great build?

Check out the article and see just how this one was done and the great finds that went into it for virtually nothing.

Make sure you go to the bottom to see all of the pictures of this great car!

Disclaimer: Customs N Classics does not charge for any articles. These are free and are derived from emails, chat messages and other forms of communication. The details are from the owner/trustee and are not physically verified. Should there be any issues with this story, please let us know, privately and we will do our best to correct any mistakes.

If you enjoy Customs N Classics articles, please consider a donation to help us with the costs associated in running this site.

What type of vehicle?

1946 Studebaker Pick Up Street Rod

1946 Studebaker Pick Up on a 1970 Shortened GMC Frame

When was it purchased?

Truck was bought about 2005 . It was in NE Kansas , I live in sw Ohio.

A friend and I went after it in December, leaving on a Friday evening. I had my wife’s 2002 grand Cherokee with 4.0 motor and no tow package . But had Jeep dealer put a hitch on it when bought. Jeep had 25,000 miles on it ( still have it with 185,000 miles on it, only regular Mtc. so far.)

Saw A M series at a car show and fell in love with it . Only saw it the one time . Anything in Ohio I found was rusted down . Back to going after it , Had a borrowed trailer ( which I bought later ) . We pulled up by the M16 flatbed at 11 am on Saturday . Wood on bed was rotten . Found out a dump was right behind feed store where I got truck .We unbolted the bed, chained it to a tree and pulled truck out from under bed, 3PM by then, headed back . That 4.0 pulled that trailer and truck like a pro. Just sit down since no tow package.

We got home Sunday evening , So went 2000 miles in less than 2 days.

Scraped area is underneath cab , had cracked undercoating , I scraped it all off , pour 15 on it , than recoated with new undercoating.

It took 7 years to get it on road, I was working full time, building when I had time and the money.

Never touched for a year when wife had back surgery.

Been on road about 5 years. I parked it last year when I had 2 back surgeries, Not back out yet.

How much was it purchased for?

I bought it off of EBay for $99 with 320 watchers.

It was missing all grilles, trim and glove compartment door and caved in top and hood.

I gave $65 for the frame and sold the 10 bolt rear for $65.

I Bought a 3:73 12 limited slip out of Cincinnati Enquirer For $125

I also got a front suspension out of a 1983 Chevy for $125

The bed was built out of $140 of new metal

Give me some backstory, are you a mechanic, do you like to fabricate, are you really good at body work, etc. Some info about you.

I went to an auto mechanic school fresh out of high school.

Worked as MGR of a auto parts store for 19 years.

Went to ABX AIR in Wilmington , Ohio when I was 43 , Got my airframe and powerplant license and got into Aircraft sheet metal repair.

Left their when 60 ( job went south after DHL pulled out on us .) Got on at Kenworth Truck in Chillicothe , Ohio , retired from there.

This is my 3rd street Rod , (always had my toys) , 440 6 pk Cuda , AAR Cuda , 33 Willys coupe , 36 Ford 2 Dr. sedan

What have you done to it so far?

Truck is on a GMC 1970 frame I shortened 17 inches. It has the exact same width as

Studebaker frame, but a wider track .

Since it isn’t stock , I decided to run 2 inch wider fenders all around.

I installed a Chevy pickup firewall to better fit the engine.

Gave $65 for frame, then sold the 10 bolt rear for $65.

Bought a 3:73 12 bolt limited slip out of Cincinnati Enquirer For $125 and also got a

front suspension out of a 1983 Chevy for $125. That gave me power disc

brakes and power steering.

( 10 of 12 bolts lined up putting it under the 1970 frame )

The engine is a 355 SBC, 4 bolt main with Camaro block hugger headers , and 2 1/2 exhaust thru magnaflow mufflers.

It has Douglas Dc8 thrust reverser pistons in it.

Has a Edelbrock 600 CFM carb and HEI ignition.

The transmission is a 700r4 with a corvette lock up converter. It locks when going into overdrive and unlocks if it comes out of overdrive.

The bed was built out of $140 of new metal .

Rear Bumper is a Dc8 torque tube , tailpipe tips are 3/8 solid aluminum pulled out of trash at work.

The toolbox holds battery, fire extinguisher, tools and cleaning supplies.

Put wood on bed floor, but did not drill holes through the floor.

I put cross pieces of aluminum floor sitting on rubber and drilled the aluminum and threaded it .

Has a EZ wiring kit, not a home kit , but a company kit that came with fuses and marked wiring . No one was here to help at home except my wife , she got called out more than once.

EZ wiring was great , marked every 6 inches where it went, came separated for rear , front and interior . Longer wires than I needed . I took all my wiring up thru the kick panels through clear plastic tubes in order to clean up firewall.

Has a trailer hitch I had for 25 years , bolted right in .

I was told that it is hard to see brake lights with all the red.

I have 2 led lights on toolbox , Machine shop At ABX made me bezels for tube in rear , 2 Led brake lights there and 2 led regular tail lights and license light goes from white to red when you brake.

Center grille strip is factory thin stainless , mine is 3/8 aluminum made by ABX machine shop .

Friend at ABX made the eyes for the truck.

Truck runs at 1600 rpms at 55 , Gets about 20 MPG , makes noise when I want , quiet when I want .

It has Dakota Digital Gauges , Vintage Air , Heat and Defrost , AM/FM /CD , a tilt wheel out of a S10 that has been shortened 3 inches. I built an add on to my dash and installed the Dakota Gauges myself.

It still sports the wing windows , fresh air scoop and short running boards from the M16 I started with.

Any help you have gotten?

Fred Kidder Jr. did body work and paint .

Rick Futrell in Tip City did interior

Andy’s glass in West Union did Glass

At ABX I got a 1 day pass to blast frame and Cab and parts. It went in with old paint and came home primed.

Check out the pictures.

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2017 – A Year in Review

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Customs -N- Classics

Well, another year has gone by and we have had some milestones happen. This has been a good year for us, so, in an effort to recap what has been happening, let’s look back at last years review. (Make sure to scroll down and check out all of the articles. Also, write a comment on your favorite article, or articles.)

You can click here to see last years review.

Disclaimer: Customs N Classics does not charge for any articles. These are free and are derived from emails, chat messages and other forms of communication. The details are from the owner/trustee and are not physically verified. Should there be any issues with this story, please let us know, privately and we will do our best to correct any mistakes.

If you enjoy Customs N Classics articles, please consider a donation to help us with the costs associated in running this site.

As for this year, well, let’s just say it started a little slow. January through April, we had a total of 1,019 views to our site. Four months and we barely had any viewership, which made me wonder if this was at all worth it.

Continue reading →

1940 Chevy Business Coupe Model Master 85 – Bob Malin

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Customs -N- Classics

Not every car is Hot Rod material, but, some cars just scream to become one. The level of work it takes to make something into a Hot Rod can be extensive, to say the least, but, when finished, the joy is insurmountable!

This is the story of a guy, a Business Coupe and a desire to make a Hot Rod. Read on and enjoy!

Disclaimer: Customs N Classics does not charge for any articles. These are free and are derived from emails, chat messages and other forms of communication. The details are from the owner/trustee and are not physically verified. Should there be any issues with this story, please let us know, privately and we will do our best to correct any mistakes.

If you enjoy Customs N Classics articles, please consider a donation to help us with the costs associated in running this site.

Bob, what type of vehicle is this?

Car is a 1940 Chevy Business Coupe Model Master 85

Who is the first owner of the project?

Not sure of the original owner, but I purchased the car from a person in Brookfield, WI.

When did you purchase it and, if you are ok discussing it, for how much?

I purchased the car in 1996 for $5,000.00, to make a hot rod out of it myself

Why did you choose this vehicle?

I chose this vehicle because when I was 15, I knew a neighbor who had a 1940 Ford Coupe, black, 327, 4 speed with a Indian blanket interior. It was low, black and wicked. I wanted to build a similar car one day.

Give me some backstory, are you a mechanic, do you like to fabricate, are you really good at body work, etc. Some info about you.

I am an Industrial Designer and have been for 45 years. I graduated the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT.

An Industrial designer is able to come up with concepts, engineer it, and make prototypes of: Consumer Products, Automobile Designs, Interior Design, Package Design, Exhibit Designs, Graphic Designs Literally anything that can be thought of and engineered, an Industrial Designer can do.

I’ve worked on cars since I was a teen. I have good mechanical and fabrication skills

Give us some information about the vehicle prior to starting it.

When I purchased the car, it had been restored 15 years earlier to stock and put into storage. It was driven a few times a year. It was in ok driving condition when I bought it.

What have you done to it so far?

Initially, I put duel Stromberg’s and split manifold with new radial on it. I drove a few years then started in on my transformation.

First I purchased a 292 truck motor, rebuilt it with all new 270 Wolverine Cam, 3×2 Offy Intake, New split manifold, T-5 Trans, a rebuilt 10 bolt. New IFS with 11” power discs, new drums in the back with Chassis engineering springs and shocks. All new fuel and brake lines, custom dash with classic gauges, Vintage Air/Heat/Defrost, new interior and trunk lining.

A few years later, I had a few knowledgeable guys and me, chop the top. It’s a custom chop where none of the center of the roof was cut to keep the roundness. 3.5” in the front and 4” from the back. The roof was moved forward and the rear window leaned forward to meet. This was not an easy chop and it took a while to get it right.

Where is it now, in the rebuild stage?

The car is completed now and has been since 2005.

Any special parts you have used?

There are a lot of custom touches that you see but don’t really know what I did. The wing vents can be slid out to have a full opening window. The wheels are one-off chrome smoothies with custom offsets. I did the flames. Special one off metallic pearl paint. Custom made dash, grill cover, etc.

I purchased the essential engine parts from Tom Langdon @ Stovebolt Engineco in Livona MI. He’s the best and used to work at GM 6 cylinder division.

I purchased misc parts from a lot of vendors. Chevs of the 40’s, Mid America Corvettes, Yogi’s parts and Speedway.

Any help you have gotten?

I did have a lot of help with the heavy stuff. I really do appreciate all the extra folks that helped me transform this stock Chevy into my dream ride. With careful planning and designing, everyone should build their dream car.

I had help with the Bonneville Chop on my car. 2 guys, Larry and Donnie from south Milwaukee, who chop Mercs, helped me with the cuts. I was there for welding, grinding and block sanding. They worked out of their garage.

I also use Doug Bennet in Milwaukee (Bennet Coachworks) for the help in installation of the drive train and wiring.

From Bob

My wife and I have taken many trips in the Coupe. From Ohio to Florida and to Long Island, NY. Car always ran great, got good mileage and lots of “Thumb’s up”. We have gone on weekend trips to Bed-n-breakfast places and always got “preferred” parking to keep an eye on it. I have driven it to all 100+ car events in the past. Kalamazoo, Back to the 50’s, Indy, Columbus, Louisville, Corn roast in Wi. As we were driving through the Amish Country, we stopped for lunch at a diner. We were the only vehicle in the parking lot among a half a dozen Horse Drawn carriages. They all commented on the car when we sat down for lunch and then came out to look at it when we left.

I have enjoyed my car for quite some time. It is for sale as I want to tackle a new project. The Boss (wife) says it needs to go to fund my new project. Someone out there will get a truly Kool ride!

If you are interested in buying this car, please contact Bob, via email, at rimalin21@gmail.com

Enjoy the photos below.

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Hot Rod Fuel Hose – The Company

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Customs -N- Classics

Recently, I found out that there is this small start up company that was making a product based on real needs of the Hot Rod community. (Actually, I won a free Sticker and that led me to their story.)

These guys had found a need, based on their own issues in building a project and decided that it would be a great idea to make a product that was superior. Below, you can read their story and see why they did it, for yourself.

Customs N Classics does not support one product over the other, rather, strives to share the stories of those in the automotive world for others to read and make informed decisions.

While we may write a feature, or review a part or tool, it is in no way to be interpreted that we feel one is better or more deserving than another, unless we specifically state it. With that in mind, please enjoy the following article, as it is derived from what they have already written on their web site.

If you enjoy Customs N Classics articles, please consider a donation to help us with the costs associated in running this site.

This is their story, who they are and why they feel they will succeed.

So, Justin Gorzitza, tell me a bit about yourself, why you started this.

editing_1345_1_824d1d4f-ed92-48a1-8f33-4ed463421b2c_360x

Check them out at hotrodfuelhose.com

High school was when I first inherited my dad’s 1980 Chevy C10, boy did I ever have big plans for this thing. At 15 when I started working on this puppy I wanted it to have the best of everything and spent way too much money to try and make that happen. I also had no clue what the hell I was doing and a lack of confidence in how to make it happen. I took a lot of stuff apart including the engine, transmission, and the rest of the drive train. Spent too much money at the speed shop and then didn’t know how to get the thing back together again.

It Sat and Sat and Sat, I got married, had a Son, and It followed me as I moved multiple times but never really got the time or the desire to get back onto this project until 2015 when I finally got serious again. My desires changed at this time and I thought it would be really impressive to rebuild this back to a stock look and still be a reliable driver. You can check out my build thread on 67-72chevytrucks.com The idea was to impress my dad with this truck that looks just like when he bought it.

So, what made you get into fuel hoses and lines? Why would that even be an issue?

I had been reading lot’s on fuel injection over the years and considered installing a Mega Squirt at one time and converting some type of other injection system to my 383 stroker that I had built, but was always turned off by how much work would have needed to go into learning how the mega squirt and fuel injection system worked.

The year I started back seriously on finishing this project a company called FiTech released an affordable fuel injection system and it had great reviews and was gaining a following of automotive enthusiasts. So I gave it a shot and ordered one up.

I went down to the local speed shop and was seeking out ways to install my fuel system –

IMG_20170913_102637_e8ca6b90-ba1e-420e-a382-19e48966f6c5_1024x1024@2x

A sample of their fuel line and connections

Well, they want almost as much cash for the rubber stainless steel braided line as I paid for my EFI FiTech system. That’s not right! I thought I could do better than that, my gut told me so.

I reached out to a ton of manufacturers and ordered samples, tested the product, and negotiated like crazy.

Once I had a product I believed in, at a price I felt is better suited to people like me, we ordered some. A LOT of hose and A LOT of fittings – probably too much but we believed so strongly that there is an opportunity for a High Quality PTFE braided hose in the market with awesome looking AN fittings that we committed to taking the idea forward.

A side note, so everyone is up on the terms and what the products are.

What is PTFE hose and what is it used for?

PTFE is a specific chemical composition commonly referred to as Teflon. We chose to only offer PTFE lined AN braided hoses due to better chemical resistance with common automotive fluids and specifically the higher ethanol content gasoline that is offered today.

It is most commonly used for fuel lines and transmission cooler lines. Many guys use it for LS swaps, EFI installations, and good old reliable carbs. Typically fitting adapters are needed to convert to an AN style fitting.

What are the fittings made from?

Our PTFE hose end fittings are made from 6061 Aluminum alloy and anodized to give it a sharp look. We also engrave our logo to really make them pop.

IMG_20171023_180547_b87114bc-2c13-4b1c-a2db-a52971004bf7_1024x1024@2x

A close up look at a fitting with their logo.

Ok, so, you have your fittings, you have your hoses, what’s next?

Well, we are still a new business selling PTFE hose for Hot Rods so we want to do a great job at getting our name out. Sales so far have been very strong and in fact above expectations. We have had to order new product already thanks to support from our Awesome customers and we look forward to becoming a premier supplier of Hot Rod fuel hose and AN Fittings and continuing to search out new opportunities for finding quality products at great prices so we can all continue to enjoy this hobby we have (and that our wives definitely don’t like) and I hope you will all support us and let your friends and hot rodding buddies know we exist as that has definitely been the biggest challenge in this venture so far.

This is a new company with some great reviews already. (Check out their reviews!)

Want to contact them? Check it out!

Email us at info@hotrodfuelhose.com

Call US (866) 797-0384.

Let them know you saw them here. We don’t get anything from it, but, it would help them to know that they are out there.

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1928 Ford Sedan – William Sands

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Customs -N- Classics

This post is to share the feature build on the Facebook group – Lean on Me.

This is a group that chooses several projects and votes at the beginning of each month to see who will get featured for 30 days to raise money, through a Go Fund Me account to help with there build. This is a group looking to just help and see who they can help. Click the link and check them out.

The month of September has provided William Sands 1928 Ford Sedan as our feature for the month. Here is the Link to donate.

SO, tell us a little about you.

I’m 36 and live in small town in Elk City Oklahoma . I do pyrography ( wood burning ) and try to save as many cars old parts as I can.My Facebook page is Forever in Wood.

I have had grand mal seizures off and on for almost 9 years now so it restricts what I can do . Luckily I have only had

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Wood Burning

one in the past year, or so.

I’m no mechanic but I have loved hot rods as long as I can remember and always drove some sort of classic . My 1st car was a ’63 impala .

I Love to make things with my hands . I can beat dents pretty well and taught myself how to weld.

Unfortunately I have never got into mechanics of the engine.

What is the vehicle that is being featured by Lean on Me this month?

1928 Ford Tudor Sedan

Where did you get this gem and for how much?

I found the 1928 Ford Tudor Sedan the in a scrap pile behind a mechanics shop about 2 miles or less away from my house, here in Elk City

Here is a link to the video of William picking up his 28.

That was almost 4 years ago.

It was missing the doors and pretty much just a shell as everything that could be stolen off of it had been over the years.

I got it for 600 dollars.

Give us a little

idea of where it is in the process right now.

At the moment I do not have a title for it. I have had this tucked under the shelf waiting to come out and be built .

I have been collecting parts here and there as I can , So far I have found the doors on eBay . along with a visor . After finding a few great videos on YouTube the tops been chopped 5 1/2 inches ( my first chop too ) the windshield frame was shot so I filled in the swiss cheese .

I have no plans to paint it, so I am leaving it natural patina .

I have a 307 sbc I’m using for a mock up engine. Using a Ford 9 inch I got from the salvage yard . A dropped front axle kit from Speedway with the hair pin radius rods . Triangulated 4 link for the rear axle.

I have some control arms left over from another project for the front. Using an X member for a 35 ford frame.

Over all it’s in fair condition , not rusted out beat to crap.

I found a ’30 Ford frame in the recycling place for 10 bucks . I will be using the front frame horns and cross member from the firewall up , and the rest 2×4 boxed steel .

I would like to keep it as old school as possible , using a transverse leaf spring setup in the back like the old t buckets.

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1956 Cadillac Coupe DeVille – Shaun Swanson

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Customs -N- Classics

Sometimes you run into people who have a dream, trying to make it a reality, but, it seems life is against them in every sense. You want to help, because you see their desire and their hard work. This is such a story. The Cadillac is far from done, but the project has been started and could use some help.

Maybe you are one who likes the underdog, the guy/gal who just isn’t “set” to win, but works hard to get where he/she is going, no matter the obstacles set before him/her. If so, this is going to be a good story for you.

This is the start of a restoration of love. Check out my article on Restoration to see another one made of love.

Without further ado, here is Shaun’s story.

What type of vehicle?

1956 Cadillac coupe DeVille. Production numbers show that there were 25086 ever made.

Who is the first owner of the project and is it still their project?

I am not the first owner and really don’t have any prior history on it other than it had been parked somewhere between 1976 and 1978.

When was it purchased?

November 1st 2015, she arrived.

Was this a father/son, Daughter project?

I hope to have this 56 done enough to be used to chauffeur my 3 children to prom and also for their future weddings. My children are 16, 14, and 13. Girl Whisper, boy Paul, and girl Lea.

Why this vehicle?

I had always been a fan of Harley Earl and how he designed cars of this era. The 1956 coupe DeVille has been a dream car for me for most of my life. Number one on my bucket list of cars to own before I die.

Tell me the story of how you acquired this car.

It came to me from Minnesota through an even trade. Since I had always hoped to own one of these, I started getting worried about them going out of my price range or ability to acquire since I’m a very low income person. I owned and kind of restored/rat rodded/ customized a 1968 Cadillac DeVille convertible and after a 2200 mile, problem free road trip, decided I wanted to sell it or trade it for a 55/56 coupe DeVille. There were a few prospects before this 56 that didn’t end up panning out. When I was contacted with the offer of an even over trade, this 56 for my 68, I jumped on the chance without hesitation. I was so happy I got teary eyed. On that trailer with 4 flats, rust holes in the body and floors, no back glass or engine or transmission. My 68 ran and drove but I didn’t care, the 56 is what I wanted. I was near homeless, living in a friend’s 32 foot camper in their yard…. but I had a 56 coupe DeVille. It’s like a sickness you could say… any one who has seen the movie “Christine” will have an idea of my mind set when I laid my eyes on my 56 caddy. Since that day, I started searching parts and scavenging supplies.

Give me some backstory, are you a mechanic, do you like to fabricate, are you really good at body work, etc. Some info about you.

I spent most of my life as an auto mechanic and was always so burned out I couldn’t enjoy my cars. With this 56 I decided also I wouldn’t repair cars for a living anymore and I went to work as a chef. I had experience as a chef and as it turns out I’m very good at it. This allows me to enjoy my 56 without being tired of fixing cars all day long.

What have you done to it so far?

The first thing I bought for her was a matching set of vintage Iowa 1956 license plates. Other parts and goodies trickled in the whole time I spent living in that camper.

Back glass came from Kansas city in a guys garage, $30 score. It was OEM blue/green tint back window.

I started hunting air ride stuff for it and found some amazingly cheap deals on eBay and on Facebook groups. I even ended up making some wonderful new friends through the whole process.

Eventually I had all I needed for my air suspension. Lines and fittings were free from a truck driver friend who said those parts are disposable in his line of work and free to him.

Another friend locally works for a metal fab place and got me 12 foot by 5 foot of 18g sheet steel to repair all my rust. Another freebie as it had be messed up and deemed as scrap for his work.

One of my new fender skirts came from an accident at a closed down auto shop/hoarders scrap barn. He was selling everything and I was looking around and tripped over a 1956 Cadillac fender skirt, rust free and perfect! $20 score. How often does that happen?

Not long after that fender skirt find, I got moved into town and into a house. So now I felt comfortable actually taking apart and working on the car.

I had been paying payments to Brandon Strange, owner of an amazing 58 Coupe DeVille in Kentucky, for the engine from his car. So in June of 2017, my wife and I went to Louisville, Kentucky and picked up a 1958 Cadillac 365 and its corresponding auto transmission. Brandon has become a wonderful friend through this deal and I plan to keep my promise not to publicly say what I gave for the engine and transmission.

Right before I left to pick up that engine, I won a 59 tripower Cadillac intake for $125, on eBay. Unheard of steal for a price. With that purchase I decided to step out of the normal Rochester or Stromberg or Holley 3 deuce carburetor combinations and went with 3 vintage carter wd-0 carburetors.

I’ve been slowly hand polishing them to a brilliant shine to help match up with a the chrome, copper, stainless and aluminum in my vision. With that the name Copperhead was born for this Cadillac. I plan to paint the body a copper/Orange color with a pearl white roof, and white interior and trunk.

Most all of my heater hoses, air lines, vacuum lines, will be polished copper.

I have polished stainless brake lines and will have custom steal braided brake hoses up front as well as Taylor steal braided spark plug wires. I did away with the factory tredlevac brake system and have acquired a chrome Corvette booster and master cylinder.

I custom fitted a snow white, pleated vinyl rear seat upholstery and have the same company ready to custom make me matching front seat covers for my 1990 Chevy pickup front bucket seats and console for $137 shipped.

Where is it now, in the rebuild stage?

Currently, I work a bit randomly on it.

I have patched up one front fender, the whole trunk floor, detailed and installed the drive train and gotten most of the air ride working.

It doesn’t run yet, but will soon. I plan to make it run off one of the 3 carbs and seal the other 2 for now.

I want to be able to start it and move it. It’s far from being drive able due to needing a water pump rebuild, a new radiator($206 on eBay) and all the brakes installed.

Take a look below at the photos of Shaun’s Cadillac.

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1990 S10 Rat Rod Build – Andrew Underwood

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Customs -N- Classics

OK, so, many of you are going to say that it cannot be a Rat Rod because it is too new, but others are going to say that it is what the owner says it is and that is that. Well, whatever your side, or, if you are somewhere in the middle, this article is not about that, it is about a man who chose to build something different.

He chose to define his build, his way.

Now, isn’t that the whole reason Rat Rods were built to begin with?

See our article on Rat Rods. No matter your thought on what a rat is, or is not, this build deserves respect. It is a labor of love and a well put together piece of machinery. Read down to see what Andrew built.

Make sure to check out the links throughout the article and to Check out his YouTube channel at Murdime Garage.

What type of vehicle?

It started life as a1990 Chevy S10, pick up truck.

Who is the first owner of the project and is it still their project?

Well, I bought it at the junk yard, so, I don’t know who had it first.

When was it purchased?

I purchased it in 2003, for $200.

Was this a father/son, Daughter project?

I have 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. They have all helped along with my father.

Now, the question everyone is dying to ask, why this vehicle? Why would you rat out a Chevy S10?

I wanted to be different.

Everyone does the same thing, builds the same builds.

I just wanted to be a little different.

the door handles on the truck actually came from my father’s front door at his Homestead house that was built in the early 20s

Give me some backstory, some info about you.

Well I am disabled now. I became disabled 2 years ago I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. (Link provided for anyone interested in what this disease is.) No it’s nothing to do with your teeth, it is a type of muscular dystrophy.

I use to be a mechanic before the disease. I can remember being 4 years old and helping my dad build hot rods and I feel in love with the car scene. So from there I started getting dirty. I love to make parts, weld etc. I enjoy every aspect of it.

I begin losing feeling in my extremities from the peripheral nephropathy, breaking bones in my foot causing me not being able to stand on my feet, or being able to walk very well. It then forced me to sit down and take more breaks and got worse and worse and finally my doctor told me if I keep going I won’t be able to walk any more.

So, how was the truck prior to starting the build?

I started with just the junk yard truck. It was in was rough condition.

The bed was damaged, so I said, “Let’s build a wild rat rod!” and went to town getting parts in line.

I am still no where close to being done.

What have you done to it so far?

I started with a 262 v6 out of an 86 full size Chevy. Same as 4.3. I went through it. Bored .30 over with flat top forged pistons, new rods and crank.

Comp cams made a mean mother thumper cam for it.

The heads have be worked over, with new valves and springs for the big cam.

Had to use 350 push rods because they are longer.

1.6 ratio roller rockers, Edelbrock rpm intake, with 675 cfm street demon carberator.

Msd ignition.

The trans is a turbo 350 with a stage 3 shift kit has 2300 stall converter by Summit Racing.

The drive shaft came from a 65 Chevy C10 short bed, the rear end from a 4×4 s10 blazer.

2″ drop spindles and coil springs up front, mini leaf and 3″ block in back with air shocks.

Where is it now, in the rebuild stage?

I would say it is 50 percent done.

Any special parts you have used?

it has a original 1927 model a grill shell s10 cab and a 38 international bed cut down to fit

On special parts I found a 1938 International bed in a field. I asked the old man who owned the field if I could have it and he told me if I wanted the bed that I was more than welcome to it.

I got the grill shell off the 1928 Model A at a swap meet.

My father has the same condition I do, also, he is a Vietnam veteran. I learned how to work on cars from him. Growing up as a child, we always had a hot rod, so it became instilled in me at an early age. Now, he’s always there to lend a hand or give me some advice.

See the pictures of the build below, but, to see the build as it happened and to keep up on what is going on, check out his YouTube Channel – Murdime Garage