FeatureInTheGarageMedia.com
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.
Built 100-percent in-house by Collvins Customs in East Texas, the 1949 Chevrolet five-window dubbed “Heirloom” by its builder, Robby Collvins (who built the truck for his father, Bobby), is no stranger to the interwebs or the public eye in general for that matter. The full-custom debuted at the 2017 Detroit Autorama (despite its intended completion date of 2016, which was postponed due to a not-so-minor incident in-transit to Cobo Hall that required repair work), where it deservedly garnered a Great 8 finalist pick in the running for the prestigious Ridler Award (which some rightfully believe it should’ve also claimed). The fact that the truck has been seen on the scene for a couple-few years isn’t the point—it’s more about just how it came to be in the first place … which was not by means of any CAD software program.
According to the younger Collvin, Heirloom was a completely organic build—in other words, from the mind to the hand, as it were. One of its main visible exterior alterations—a 5-inch widening job—was first and foremost done out of technical necessity: it was required in order to fit down over a C5 Corvette’s stock track width without having to modify the suspensions. The rest, however, is pure elements of design on behalf of the crew at Collvin Customs and Kyle Hix (Hix Design), the latter of which is responsible for the beyond-intricate/elaborate leather work from stem to stern, and everywhere in-between.
According to the younger Collvin, Heirloom was a completely organic build—in other words, from the mind to the hand, as it were. One of its main visible exterior alterations—a 5-inch widening job—was first and foremost done out of technical necessity: it was required in order to fit down over a C5 Corvette’s stock track width without having to modify the suspensions. The rest, however, is pure elements of design on behalf of the crew at Collvin Customs and Kyle Hix (Hix Design), the latter of which is responsible for the beyond-intricate/elaborate leather work from stem to stern, and everywhere in-between.
As mentioned, Collvins Customs necessitated the widening of the Advance Design Chevy to accommodate a Vette platform without having to sacrifice any structural integrity of the frame; the C5 underpinnings were, however, updated to suit the new body with RideTech’s ShockWaves fore and airbags/adjustable shocks aft, with Brembo brakes at each corner set behind the custom-whittled 20-inch Colorado Custom wheels. The Street & Performance LS3-based drivetrain, which features a Magnuson supercharger, full Borla exhaust, and Street & Performance engine management system, has not only been detailed to the hilt by its owner/builder with custom paint accents (including gold leafing by Dirty of Dallas), it features a host of “leather” accents—yes, as in cowhides—under the hood courtesy Hix Design (check out the air induction sleeve!). Hix’s contributions are most notable beneath the 1-inch chopped/4-inch channeled cab of Heirloom, however—all of which he performed “in-house” at Collvins Customs using Relicate Leather goods. And if Kyle’s one-off craftsmanship weren’t enough to put this custom hauler over the top, Collvins enlisted the metalsmith work of Tyson Lamb, who’s responsible for the amazing steering wheel and custom monogramming, among other things. But, it doesn’t stop there with the artisanries, as there’s literally well over a chord of native Texas hardwoods (cedar, pecan, hickory) artistically laminated (loosely) in the silhouette form of Archfern sawmill owner Allen Phillipss’ girlfriend that new serves as the bed floor and integrated interior floor.
As mentioned, Collvins Customs necessitated the widening of the Advance Design Chevy to accommodate a Vette platform without having to sacrifice any structural integrity of the frame; the C5 underpinnings were, however, updated to suit the new body with RideTech’s ShockWaves fore and airbags/adjustable shocks aft, with Brembo brakes at each corner set behind the custom-whittled 20-inch Colorado Custom wheels. The Street & Performance LS3-based drivetrain, which features a Magnuson supercharger, full Borla exhaust, and Street & Performance engine management system, has not only been detailed to the hilt by its owner/builder with custom paint accents (including gold leafing by Dirty of Dallas), it features a host of “leather” accents—yes, as in cowhides—under the hood courtesy Hix Design (check out the air induction sleeve!). Hix’s contributions are most notable beneath the 1-inch chopped/4-inch channeled cab of Heirloom, however—all of which he performed “in-house” at Collvins Customs using Relicate Leather goods. And if Kyle’s one-off craftsmanship weren’t enough to put this custom hauler over the top, Collvins enlisted the metalsmith work of Tyson Lamb, who’s responsible for the amazing steering wheel and custom monogramming, among other things. But, it doesn’t stop there with the artisanries, as there’s literally well over a chord of native Texas hardwoods (cedar, pecan, hickory) artistically laminated (loosely) in the silhouette form of Archfern sawmill owner Allen Phillipss’ girlfriend that new serves as the bed floor and integrated interior floor.
All the above craftsmen contributions have been properly placed, artistically and mechanically speaking, within the architecturally designed structure of Heirloom, which in and of itself took just as much, if not more effort on behalf of Collvins Customs to create. We’ve stated the Chevy shell is of 1949 vintage—well, at least that which is forward of the bed, as the rear section was created using 1955 Cadillac rear quarters; the inner sheet metal structure and tailgate are all hand-formed custom. The front of the pickup, though still retaining its Advance Design appearance, is an assemblage of custom metalwork as well—all of which has been masterfully covered in a custom-mixed BASF brown metallic (by Robby himself). Finishing touches in the form of AM Hot Rod Glass’ custom window treatments (including their first set of curved quarters), Classic Instruments one-off gauge cluster, and chrome plating by Street & Performance definitely do the trick of properly completing the Collvin Family Heirloom … properly.
