FeatureInTheGarageMedia.com
Images by THE AUTHORalk about your bagged and body dropped classic Chevy. Evan Greenberg of Oceanside, New York, is the owner of this bone-chilling, Bowtie-bred, bagged-and-slammed stunner. He’s also proud to say that owning this particular model truck is a long-awaited dream that has finally come to fruition for him, being a lifelong truck enthusiast of the highest level. “I’ve always loved the Squarebody Chevys, especially with the Stepside bed. The design reminds me of a classic farm truck, made to do the hard work out in the fields or on the homestead,” Evan states.
So, when the time was right, or at least good enough in his book, Evan searched out a Squarebody to call his own. “I purchased this truck in May 2015 before the C10 hype really got out of hand. I found out after learning the history of this 1986 C10 that it was used at a sawmill factory in Connecticut. That’s where one of the previous owners purchased it. I was told at one time the truck had been buried in the ground at the mill,” Evan states.
To get it ready for some road time, Evan made some quick changes. He added a set of rally wheels, installed a phantom grille, and took the seats out to be reupholstered. However, then the new owner started to rethink his plan about how to bring this needy truck up to his standards. However, the project started to stall and then the unthinkable happened. “Late 2016 I woke up and was paralyzed on the left side due to a herniated disc in the neck. After that experience, I realized life was short, today is here, and tomorrow isn’t promised. That’s when I chose a path to build the truck into the C10 of my dreams.”
They moved on by removing the heater core to get the front end on the ground, as the part was blocking suspension travel. “After some thought, we then ordered custom U.S. Mags Sniper 5 wheels in 20×9 for the front and 22×12 for the rear. They are shod in Delinte rubber in sizes 255/35-20 and 315/30-22, respectively. I hear I’m one of only five customers who has these wheels in the world. That’s pretty cool in my book.” Lastly, the crew took the upholstery that Evan had worked so hard on and totally revamped it, redoing the interior to match the quality work done on the rest of the truck. A matching U.S. Mags steering wheel was a welcomed add-on to the cockpit of this ride.
The list of custom work is extensive. SMRC stripped the truck back down to the chassis and powdercoated the frame before they built it back up. The cab was sandblasted and bodywork commenced to get the truck in final paint. New panels were installed where needed, taillights frenched, and Hart Fab tubs were placed underhood, along with a set of custom SMRC tubs out back. A trick lift-up bed was installed as well, with a Mar-K wood bed and a pair of Tricky Air and Billet rear bed shocks with LS Fabrication scissor hinges to assist with the heavy lifting. When the skin was ready, the truck was basted in Sikkens paint in a shimmery white custom color, blended with an extra dose of metallics and pearls for good measure.
Once completed, Evan could only marvel at the results and look back at the long trip to the finish line. “We finally brought her to life. There were countless sleepless nights getting her to the perfection she is today. I always loved cars growing up, always modifying them from when I first had my license, but this truck is much more special to me, helping me deal with the [death] of my grandfather and my injury. The amount of time, the number of weeks I was eating PB&J sandwiches or rice cakes just to save extra money to put toward the truck. The eight-year build was well worth it in the end. The collaboration between both Backyard Kustoms & Smoky Mountains Rod & Customs is what made this truck what it is today.”