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December 2020
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CLASSIC TRUCK PERFORMANCE VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 4 • 2020
December 2020
On The Cover: John Jackson once again provided our brilliant cover, this month depicting the Collvins Family’s 1949 Chevy full custom, “Heirloom.”
Contributing Editors/Photographers
Tommy Lee Byrd, Rodney Bauman, Ron Ceridono, John Jackson, Tim Sutton, Chuck Vranas
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In The Garage Media
Editorial Director

BRIAN BRENNAN
bbrennan@inthegaragemedia.com

Editor-In-Chief

ROB FORTIER
rfortier@inthegaragemedia.com

Senior Editor

NICK LICATA
nlicata@inthegaragemedia.com

Publisher

TIM FOSS
tfoss@inthegaragemedia.com

Associate Publisher & Operations Manager

YASMIN FAJATIN
yfajatin@inthegaragemedia.com

Art Director

ROB MUNOZ

Editorial Team

Sarah Gonzales – Copy Editor
Rodney Bauman, Tommy Lee Byrd, Ron Ceridono, Michael Christensen, Ron Covell, Gant Cox, Dominic Damato, John Drummond, Eric Geisert, Joe Greeves, John Jackson, Barry Kluczyk, Scotty Lachenauer, Nick Licata, Ryan Manson, Josh Mishler, Todd Ryden, Chris Shelton, Tim Sutton, Chuck Vranas – Writers and Photographers

Advertising Team

Mark Dewey – National Sales Manager
Janeen Kirby – Sales Representative
Patrick Walsh – Sales Representative
Travis Weeks – Sales Representative

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

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Editorial contributions are welcomed but editors recommend that contributors query first. Contribution inquiries should first be emailed to info@inthegaragemedia.com. Do not mail via USPS as we assume no responsibility for loss or damage thereto. IN THE GARAGE MEDIA reserves the right to use material at its discretion, and we reserve the right to edit material to meet our requirements. Upon publication, payment will be made at our current rate, and that said, payment will cover author’s and contributor’s rights of the contribution. Contributors’ act of emailing contribution shall constitute and express warranty that material is original and no infringement on the rights of others.
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Copyright (c) 2020 IN THE GARAGE MEDIA. The Classic Truck Performance trademark is a registered trademark of In The Garage Media.

Classic Truck Performance. December 2020, Vol 1, No. 4 is published monthly by In The Garage Media. 1350 E. Chapman Ave. #6650, Fullerton, CA 92834-6550.

Printed in U.S.A. please recycle
  STILL HAMMERIN’
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Rob Fortier Headshot
BY ROB FORTIER
Two Steps Forward…

J

ust when it seems we’re out of the woods, so to speak, we wake up to find out we’re even deeper in the forest with no signs of a clearing. It’s frustrating, to say the least, and I’m only speaking for myself, as I can’t even begin to fathom the hardships being endured by those of you forced out of work … again.

But in light of all the negative aspects related to our nationwide epidemic, it turns out that pretty much every single manufacturer and major shop in our industry is reporting record business/sales thus far for 2020. Even feedback from the first-ever “virtual” SEMA360, the aftermarket is kicking some serious hind end! Here’s to those able to support the aftermarket and sustain your ability to build/drive or even own a classic truck in the first place; for those barely able to sustain your ability to get by, period, hang in there … let’s hope the worst is soon to be behind us and 2021 a fresh, clean slate.

  Picking Up
InTheGarageMedia.com
Brian Brennan, old cars in a garage, and an old Chevy being worked on
BY BRIAN BRENNAN
Starting a New Year
I

t’s time to begin a new year and for all of our publications (Classic Truck Performance, Modern Rodding, and All Chevy Performance) that means beginning 2021 as monthly publications. May not sound like much but it sure will mean picking up the pace around the offices as both CTP and MR go from bimonthly titles to monthly. Of course, our hectic work pace will benefit you the readers of our publications … now your favorite truck and car magazine once a month rather than once every other month.

Picking up the Jan. ’21 Modern Rodding will be filled with an assortment of “young and old” hot rod features along with home tech and some heavy-duty tech. There’s always something interesting in every issue of MR and the Jan. ’21 issue is no different.

  Parts Dept
InTheGarageMedia.com
Hurricane A/C & Heater System for 1973-1979 Ford Trucks
1. Hurricane A/C & Heater System for 1973-1979 Ford Trucks
Old Air Products is now offering a new Hurricane A/C Heat & Defrost system for 1973-1979 Ford Trucks. The Hurricane unit mounts to the firewall in place of the original A/C or heater. Fittings pass neatly through the firewall using a custom rubber grommet. Factory-style louvers are included for heater-only trucks or adapters for trucks with original factory louvers. Electronic controls fit neatly into original dash opening. Complete systems include SuperKool Condenser Assembly with receiver/drier and custom tubes for driver or passenger side mounted compressor. A variety of compressor mounting brackets are available to fit many engine applications. Upgrades for polished or chrome compressor are available along with electric fans and trinary pressure safety switch to maximize the A/C system performance.
  Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Logo
Truck's Driving Wheel
From Imagination to REALization … The COLLVINS Family’s Stunning Advance Design Chevy 3100

BY Rob Fortier PHOTOGRAPHY BY John Jackson

T

hese days, it’s easy to take an idea, plug it into a computer program, and spit out a design—that’s the great thing about modern technology. However, the art of a true craftsman sometimes gets lost in this new-age of technological advancements, making it difficult to truly appreciate the real work (and the work of art) that’s behind everything from bubblegum packaging to cutting-edge custom-built classic trucks, such as this.

  Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Working on Car
Droppin’ It
Ol’ School, Too
Front Side view of the 1993 Silverado
Western Chassis Revisits its Roots With the Traditional 1988-1998 C1500/OBS 5-inch Dropped Spindle and Brake Kit
Working on Car
Front Side view of the 1993 Silverado
Droppin’ It
Ol’ School, Too
Western Chassis Revisits its Roots With the Traditional 1988-1998 C1500/OBS 5-inch Dropped Spindle and Brake Kit

BY Rob Fortier | PHOTOGRAPHY BY The Author

OBS

is no-BS; the post-Squarebody craze is no joke folks—the 1988-1998 GM C1500 Series are here to stay … in a big way.

Last month we spent some time over at Western Chassis in Corona, California, installing their Super C-Notch—the back half of the 5/7 OBS drop kit—on a well-deserving 1993 Silverado. Just as we were wrapping up, they decided it was time they up and move to a much bigger facility. So, our wrapup on the front suspension had to wait till they were all settled in their location—but boy, was the wait worth it, as they now have a dedicated installation center with plenty of elbow room to work with! And, we didn’t end up skipping a beat issue-wise, so let’s get on with the show, shall we?!

  Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com

BY Fuelish Media | Photography BY The Author

Title of article
The car's Engine
The Battle of Paint vs. Patina … and Other Preferences
  Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Title of article

BY Fuelish Media | Photography BY The Author

The car's Engine
The Battle of Paint vs. Patina … and Other Preferences
Y

ou may have wondered why you don’t see many vintage 1961-1971 Dodge D-100 pickup trucks, commonly referred to as Sweptline models, out on the road and/or at shows. It’s something that many of us think about all the time, and the reason is due to a few factors. First off, production numbers of these trucks at that time were overshadowed by the amount of Chevy and Ford pickups. Were Dodge trucks simply less desirable than these other two American auto manufacturers? Sales figures show that Dodge trucks constantly trailed competing C10 and F-100 pickup sales. What does all that mean for today’s Dodge pickup fan base? Quite honestly, fewer survivor Sweptlines fit to rehabilitate.

  Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
BEDWOOD-X
The Ultimate in Timber Treatments for Your C10?
Custom wood in a C10 truck bed

BY Rob Fortier  Photography By The Author

I

’ll readily admit, I have a passion for woodworking. While I’m probably the furthest from expert status when it comes to being a sawyer, I truly enjoy every aspect of my hobby—from sawmilling to finishing. That said, if presented the option to forego most above-mentioned aspects in relation to, say, bed floors in classic trucks, I’d be tempted to take the easy route out, no pun intended.

Well, I just happened to have that precise option presented to me recently by BedWood and Parts in the form of their pre-drilled/pre-finished, ready-to-go BedWood-X kit for 1967-1972 Chevy/GMC short- and longbed models. No cutting/trimming or pre-fitting; no sanding, staining, and/or sealing—just unbox, install, and go? I’m in.

  Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
The Perfect Mint typography
close up view of 1959 Chevy Apache engine and steering wheel
John Canepa’s Calling Card 1959 Chevy Apache Custom

BY Rob Fortier PHOTOGRAPHY BY Tim Sutton

S

outhern Californian John Canepa is just your average professional pedal-pusher turned top-notch custom car builder—we all know the type, right? Rhetorically speaking, wrenching professionally (as well as riding) on downhill mountain bike teams and building custom cars/trucks equally at a professional level don’t normally go hand in hand. But in John’s case, that’s exactly the scenario.

Many moons ago (no pun intended), I met John at GT Bicycles when the whole retro beach cruiser craze started and Dyno had just released the Mooneyes 26-inch balloon tire model. Neither of us really knew it at the time that our paths would once again cross—this time in my four-wheeled world.

The Perfect Mint typography
close up view of 1959 Chevy Apache engine and steering wheel
blue 1959 Chevy Apache displayed outside
John Canepa’s Calling Card 1959 Chevy Apache Custom

BY Rob Fortier PHOTOGRAPHY BY Tim Sutton

S

outhern Californian John Canepa is just your average professional pedal-pusher turned top-notch custom car builder—we all know the type, right? Rhetorically speaking, wrenching professionally (as well as riding) on downhill mountain bike teams and building custom cars/trucks equally at a professional level don’t normally go hand in hand. But in John’s case, that’s exactly the scenario.

Many moons ago (no pun intended), I met John at GT Bicycles when the whole retro beach cruiser craze started and Dyno had just released the Mooneyes 26-inch balloon tire model. Neither of us really knew it at the time that our paths would once again cross—this time in my four-wheeled world.

  Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
1. With the Heidts frontend installed we did a quick and dirty temporary alignment with a tape measure and our Speedway Motors caster/camber gauge. Adjustments will be made more accurately before the truck hits the road.
Independence for all
Heidts IFS for ’50s
Ford F-100s

BY Ron Ceridono  Photography By The Author

O

f all the products that have been offered to improve the overall performance of hot rods and classic trucks, arguably, Mustang II–based independent front suspension kits have to be high up on the list. Simple, affordable, and effective, these suspension packages make it easy to transform a rough-riding, solid-axle truck into a smooth-riding, better-handling version of itself. In addition to the advantages IFS offers compared to a solid front axle, there are a few other perks, such as the modern disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering, that are also part of the package. The suspension swap shown here was done on a 1955 Ford F-100, but the procedure is virtually the same for any solid-axle pickup. We chose a Heidts PX-105-E-K IFS kit that uses coil springs, power rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes.

  Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com

BY Chuck Vranas  Photography By The Author

I

t’s easy to say that if we could turn back time to experience one of the coolest eras in drag racing it would definitely be from the late ’50s-’60s. Back then the quarter-mile was packed with Top Fuel Dragsters, Funny Cars, and Gassers, all showcasing the latest in speed equipment as they battled it out on a weekly basis for total ’strip domination. Now imagine growing up a stone’s throw from your local dragstrip as a kid to experience the ultimate adrenalin rush. For Howard Smith, of Dover, Pennsylvania, it was easy to see the impact of living down the street from the legendary York US30 Dragway would have on him.

Subtle Jim typography
Howard Smith’s 1967 GMC Perfectly Blends Style and Power
1967 GMC Fleetside shortbed model
Subtle Jim typography
Howard Smith’s 1967 GMC Perfectly Blends Style and Power

BY Chuck Vranas  Photography By The Author

I

t’s easy to say that if we could turn back time to experience one of the coolest eras in drag racing it would definitely be from the late ’50s-’60s. Back then the quarter-mile was packed with Top Fuel Dragsters, Funny Cars, and Gassers, all showcasing the latest in speed equipment as they battled it out on a weekly basis for total ’strip domination. Now imagine growing up a stone’s throw from your local dragstrip as a kid to experience the ultimate adrenalin rush. For Howard Smith, of Dover, Pennsylvania, it was easy to see the impact of living down the street from the legendary York US30 Dragway would have on him.

1967 GMC Truck
  Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Patch-Up Pickup
Part 1: Recomposing a Decomposing Door
Part 1: Recomposing a Decomposing Door

BY “Rotten” Rodney Bauman PHOTOGRAPHY BY The Author

Y

ou know that old familiar feeling we get sometimes, like we’ve been somewhere before? Well, here we go. It’s patch panel time—again.

When this particular 1955 second-series Chevy rolled off the line of the Oakland, California, assembly plant, no one imagined it wrecked ’n’ rusty. South of Oakland, a safe distance from the ocean, it spent its working years in Riverside. Despite the dry climate, this old truck’s twisted remains are partially decomposed. Even so, there’ll be no complaining here. We know that compared to yours, our rust might be minor. Where this one is from, the natural corrosion is pretty typical for an outdoorsy-type truck of the mid ’50s.

1: Down low in the corner areas, this doorskin is thin
2: Here’s our new patch panel from Brothers
1966 Chevrolet Suburban before restoration
Scott's Hotrods 'n Customs typography
In the shop logo badge
The Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs shop truck is a killer 1966 Chevrolet Suburban. Of course it has the full spectrum of Scott’s components, including a bolt-on IFS kit and four-bar rear suspension, and it’s an attention-getting marketing tool that draws people to the Scott’s booth at 20-plus car shows per year.
The Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs shop truck is a killer 1966 Chevrolet Suburban. Of course it has the full spectrum of Scott’s components, including a bolt-on IFS kit and four-bar rear suspension, and it’s an attention-getting marketing tool that draws people to the Scott’s booth at 20-plus car shows per year.

BY Tommy Lee Byrd  Photography By The Author

Fabricating Custom Frames and Suspension Systems
S

cott’s Hotrods ’N Customs is a full-service shop that builds killer custom vehicles and components, with an intense focus on classic trucks. The shop got its start in 1996 when Justin Scott Padfield took a leap with a 1,200-square-foot shop in Ventura, California. Specializing in fabrication, Padfield hustled to keep projects in and out of the shop during the early years, but eventually grew the shop into a larger building in Oxnard, California. As more employees were added to the force and more projects were brought into the shop, Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs jumped full force into the parts business, fabricating custom frames and suspension systems for street rods, classic trucks, and more. Fast-forward to 2018, Scott’s moved its operation to a giant shop in Knoxville, Tennessee, allowing for more products and more projects.

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Thanks for reading our December 2020 issue!