Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Family Air-Loom typography
Josh Hicks’ “Perfect 10” 1969 Chevy
BY Rob FortierImages BY Grinder TV
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hen I first became immersed in this particular hobby/industry many, many moons ago, the quintessential classic truck was the one-year-only 1956 Ford F-100. That reign ended quite some time ago, as the 1967-72 Chevy/GMC C10 is, without a doubt, what this hobby/industry practically revolves around.

Every time I check the socials, a stunning new C10 is either being built or being debuted—it never ends! Back in the summer of 2024, I watched closely as Arizona High Test (Chandler, Arizona) was wrapping up Josh Hicks’ 1969 Chevy in preparation for its Air Lift Performance–sponsored SEMA debut and eagerly anticipated seeing it up close in person. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to SEMA last year, so my first chance to lay eyes on the two-tone beauty had to wait till the Reunion Truck Show this past March … but it was definitely worth the wait.

Hicks 1969 C10 Dutchman under the bed of trunk
close up of Hicks 1969 C10 Dutchman under the bed of trunk
Hicks 1969 C10 tank under bed of trunk
Hicks 1969 C10 wooden panel trunk
Hicks 1969 C10 Dutchman under the bed of trunk
close up of Hicks 1969 C10 Dutchman under the bed of trunk
Hicks 1969 C10 tank under bed of trunk
Hicks 1969 C10 wooden panel trunk
The story of the Hicks family “air-loom,” aka “PRF10” (perfect 10) as Josh has named it, began back in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2019 when he and his now-wife Ashley Daniels acquired the ’69 from her father. Josh and his father, Shane, immediately tore into the C10 and started the five-year transformation by installing Porterbuilt front and rear suspensions, among other things. Eventually, the truck found its way to Jason Berland and his crew at Arizona High Test, and by the end of the summer 2024—September, to be exact, just in time for Josh and Ashley’s wedding—the C10 was more than good to go! Two months later, Perfect 10 was on the hallowed grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center, making its official public/industry debut.
Hicks 1969 C10 engine under the hood
Hicks 1969 C10 parked on a desert road with sun setting behind it
Hicks 1969 C10 dashboard and steering wheel
Hicks 1969 C10 wheel and rim
Hicks 1969 C10 leather passenger seat
Beneath that Rob Drew/Mason Rush bodyworked and painted (with custom sheetmetal work by Will Bynum, metal polishing by Dee Frost/Strong Arm, and striping by Ron Hernandez), Peruvian Walnut bed-floored, and CST-trimmed C10, the owner-installed Level 3 kits are manipulated by an Air Lift Performance 3H ride height system that’s accompanied by a Flo Air supply setup, Ridetech shocks, CPP spindles, and 14-inch Wilwood brakes all ’round—with Arizona High Test’s trademark hardlines by Brian Lee! Between a set of Hart Fab inner fender panels lies the heart of the PRF10: a 376-cube, Whipple-supercharged LSX with full stainless exhaust by Andy Venable, backed by a Hughes Performance 4L80E feeding a Dutchman 9-inch rearend. The wheels chosen for the build are Budnik’s Tungsten in 22-inch-diameter sized up with Pirelli rubber. Finally, the inside of the ’69 features a perfect blend of TMI Products (buckets and dash top) and MTI Acoustics (headliner, door/kick panels, and center console) all covered in a saddle brown by Dominic Dominguez. Josh also enlisted MTI to handle the JL Audio sound system as well, while the Dakota Digital instruments and Vintage Air system were wired using an American Autowire harness by Chris Murray.

Ultimately, Josh Hicks not only brought his version of a Perfect 10 to fruition, but he and his new wife were able to give a true family heirloom a second chance on life while, as Jason Berland put it, “preserving the homage of the original canvas.”

close up of Chevrolet decal on engine under hood
front view of bumper and headlights while car is parked on desert road
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