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Tommy Lee Byrd, Rodney Bauman, Ron Ceridono, John Jackson, Tim Sutton, Chuck Vranas
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BRIAN BRENNAN
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ROB FORTIER
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NICK LICATA
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TIM FOSS
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YASMIN FAJATIN
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ROB MUNOZ
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
Mark Dewey – National Sales Manager
Janeen Kirby – Sales Representative
Patrick Walsh – Sales Representative
Travis Weeks – Sales Representative
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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.
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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.
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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.
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BY Rob FortierPHOTOGRAPHY BY John Jackson
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.
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BY Rob Fortier | PHOTOGRAPHY BY The Author
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?!
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BY Fuelish Media | Photography BY The Author
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BY Fuelish Media | Photography BY The Author
![HEMI Engine The car's Engine](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/duelingdodge-sweptlines-fig1.jpg)
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.
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BY Rob Fortier Photography By The Author
’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.
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BY Rob FortierPHOTOGRAPHY BY Tim Sutton
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 The Perfect Mint typography](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mint-img02.png)
![1959 Chevy Apache engine and steering wheel close up view of 1959 Chevy Apache engine and steering wheel](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mint-img01-1.png)
![1959 Chevy Apache blue 1959 Chevy Apache displayed outside](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mint-img04.jpg)
BY Rob FortierPHOTOGRAPHY BY Tim Sutton
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.
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Ford F-100s
BY Ron Ceridono Photography By The Author
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.
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BY Chuck Vranas Photography By The Author
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.
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![Subtle Jim Subtle Jim typography](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ctp-december-2020-jim-title.png)
BY Chuck Vranas Photography By The Author
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 1967 GMC Truck](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ctp-december-2020-jim-feature-tm.jpg)
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BY “Rotten” Rodney Bauman PHOTOGRAPHY BY The Author
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.
![Down low in the corner areas, this doorskin is thin 1: Down low in the corner areas, this doorskin is thin](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ct-dec-2020-patch-up-pickup-fig1.jpg)
![Here’s our new patch panel from Brothers 2: Here’s our new patch panel from Brothers](https://digital.classictruckperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ct-dec-2020-patch-up-pickup-fig2.jpg)
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BY Tommy Lee Byrd Photography By The Author
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.
Ad Index
- Aldan American90
- American Autowire61
- American Legend Wheels79
- Art Morrison Enterprises41
- Automotive Racing Products69
- BedWood and Parts90
- Bowler Performance Transmissions88
- Brothers Truck Parts92
- Chevs of the 40’s73
- Classic Instruments11
- Classic Performance Products4-5, 89
- Custom Autosound83
- Dakota Digital91
- Dynamat43
- Eaton Detroit Spring, Inc.87
- Eddie Motorsports7
- Fat Man Fabrication88
- Filling Station, The77
- FiTech EFI85
- Flaming River Industries27, 87
- Flat Out Engineering89
- Gandrud Chevrolet88
- Golden Star Classic Auto Parts6
- Granatelli Motor Sports, Inc.79
- Heidts Suspension Systems77
- Heinzman Street Rod Shop90
- LMC Truck49
- Lokar2, 39
- National Street Rod Association57
- New Port Engineering89
- NotcHead Fastners88
- Old Air Products83
- OPTIMA Batteries13
- Performance Distributors87
- Performance Online15
- Phoenix Transmission Products89
- Powermaster Performance75
- Premier Street Rods75
- Roadster Shop67
- Schwartz Performance73
- Scott’s Hotrods85
- Speedway Motors55
- Thermo-Tec Automotive87
- Vintage Air9
- Western Chassis51
- Wilwood Engineering59
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