Hot Rods by Dean’s Wild ‘72 Chevy C10 Rides Into Town
Knockout C10 Begins Delivering on Looks & Performance
Hot Rods by Dean’s Wild ‘72 Chevy C10 Rides Into Town
By Brian Brennan • Photography By the Author

The three generations of C10s can be credited, along with the Advance Design (1947 to 1955) for initiating the classic truck market as we know it today. Of the two, it can be said that the C10 really put the classic truck segment of the hot rod market on the map. Now we have the Square Body, OBS, along with other manufacturers, such as Ford, solidifying the classic truck market with popular models from within their marque.

Hot Rods by Dean has built many classic trucks, all makes, but the latest may prove to be a “bar setter” coming from their workbench in the form of a 1972 Chevy C10 featuring loads of body mods—the good ones—as well as the latest in chassis and powertrain performance.

As you will see looking at the photos, this 1972 C10 is about halfway through the fabrication phase with a long way still to go. So now is the time for an up close and personal look to see what’s beneath. We asked Dean Livermore, chief wrench at HRBD, who would be tackling this latest build. Turns out, Ron McCorkle and Geoff Jones are charged with handling the fabrication and problem solving before body and paintwork process starts at HRBD.

The truck belongs to a customer who lives in Washington. He is no stranger to hot rods of all kinds and when he came to Livermore, he made it clear that this C10 was to be a “top end” build.

Cutting the taper in the hood after the cowl/hood is made into one piece.
Cutting the taper in the hood after the cowl/hood is made into one piece.
The taper, 0 at the cowl section and growing until 2 inches at the front begins with a cutoff wheel following a marked line.
The taper, 0 at the cowl section and growing until 2 inches at the front begins with a cutoff wheel following a marked line.
Look closely at the cut and you can see how it tapers from 0 to 2 inches at the front.
Look closely at the cut and you can see how it tapers from 0 to 2 inches at the front.
Clecos are pressed into service to hold the top and bottom of the hood in place before welding.
Clecos are pressed into service to hold the top and bottom of the hood in place before welding.
Roadster Shop Fast Track Chassis

The 1972 C10 is based on a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis plus a few optional concessions. The FT chassis (10-gauge boxed streel frame) with a front track width of 58-3/4 inches is designed around the Corvette’s C6 spindles, hubs, and ball joints allowing for the latest in braking and handling as well as street and track capabilities. Providing for the migration between street and track are the built-in caster and camber settings. The upper and lower control arms are RS proprietary and are designed and engineered from 4041 pre-hardened steel with adjustable upper and lower control arm mounts, heavy-duty splined sway bars, and billet aluminum steering arms. Included (but not shown in the photos) are Penske RS coilovers, while Baer six-piston calipers and rotors work with the C6 hubs at all four corners. Operating the brakes will be a CPP HydraStop hydraulic assist system manipulated by a Kugel Komponents swing pedal with Lokar brake and throttle pads. The chassis will roll around on a set of polished Schott Mod 5 d.concave Cover-Loc (18×10 and 20×12) wheels each wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber measuring 275/40R18 and 345/30R20—talk about getting enough rubber to the road! Additionally, the chassis provides for all the stock body and bumper mounts as well as the stock core support locations.

The RS fabricated center crossmember and mid-brace is designed to eliminate flex and twist under hard acceleration, cornering, and braking, while providing for a 3-inch exhaust. More goodies include the adjustable trans mount providing for all of today’s popular transmissions (auto and stick). Working our way rearward the supplied rearend is a Strange Engineering Ford 9-inch with 31-spline axles. However, look closely at the HRBD C10 build and you will see the optional Roadster Shop IRS attached to it. The FT chassis will also allow for 10-inch wide wheels and 295 series tires up front, while fitting a 12-inch wide wheel and 345 series tire in the rear. Another HRBD ordered option are LT motor mounts; stock would be small- or big-block Chevy. Optional mounts are for LS/LT motors, while there are a few modifications to the frame. This was done to mostly handle the custom fabricated bed rails, uprights, and custom gas tank holders.

Sources:
Hot Rods by Dean

(800) 362-9709
hotrodsbydean.com/

The Roadster Shop

(847) 949-7637
roadstershop.com

Chevrolet Performance Supercharged LT4 Provides the Punch

Livermore spec’d the chassis to run a LT4 6.2L (376ci) V-8 that runs a supercharger (1.7L Eaton R1740 TVS) directly from the Chevrolet Performance catalog (PN 19332621). It’s the most powerful engine offered in a Corvette (including current C8). With nine pounds of boost it will come in at 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.

The LT4 is fit with Rotocast A356T6 aluminum cylinder heads that are stronger and handle heat better than conventional castings, with lightweight titanium intake valves, stronger forged aluminum pistons, and a forged steel crank, and connecting rods. This potent V-8 will back up to a Hughes 4L75E trans modified to handle the added torque supply along with a 4,800-rpm stall converter. Handling the gear section will be a Lokar Electronic Sport Mode shifter, while supplying the fuel will be an Aeromotive system.

Enhancing the Appearance…Body Mods

The body has received a number of modifications with the most notable being the top chop coming in at 2-1/2 inches. The doors, while chopped at the top, have metal added to the bottom, effectively “absorbing” the rocker panel section. What was once part of the body is now incorporated into the doors. Next, the hood/cowl section is now one-piece, pancaked, and looks a bit like the 1969 hood, with a 2-inch taper (metal cutout of the hood at the sides where it “breaks over”) from the front of the hood to the cowl where nothing is removed. The leading edge of the hood was laid back 3 inches. From here the wheel well profiles were narrowed—3 inches in front and 2 inches in back and brought down over the wheel/tire fit.

The bed is custom-made as is the dash. The bed will feature custom wood and have a tri-fold opening custom wood floor, custom battery (Optima) holders, and grip the 26-gallon stainless steel Rock Valley gas tank. The dash is another custom fabricated piece–it has a stock feel but is one off and will house the Classic Instruments AutoCross gauges, Vintage Air heating/ventilation and air conditioning, an ididit steering column, entertainment system, and the glove box.

As for the color, well here’s one area that inevitably changes during the course of a build. But for now, Livermore tells us that the owner and he have agreed on black with two accent colors: red and silver/pewter. There you have it. We will be back to see how things progress and, of course, we will have the final feature on this bar-setting C10 hauler.

You can see how the front sheetmetal/bumper are blended to a tight fit, notice small air damn at bottom, and the custom mount for the radiator and Vintage Air condenser.
You can see how the front sheetmetal/bumper are blended to a tight fit, notice small air damn at bottom, and the custom mount for the radiator and Vintage Air condenser.
You can begin to see the body mods; chop, one-piece hood, tucked bumper, door now absorbs the rocker panel section and the fender opening were reworked.
You can begin to see the body mods; chop, one-piece hood, tucked bumper, door now absorbs the rocker panel section and the fender opening were reworked.
Custom fan shroud, more HRBD handiwork, holds the pair of Maradyne electric cooling fans.
Custom fan shroud, more HRBD handiwork, holds the pair of Maradyne electric cooling fans.
The dash, while having a C10 look, is truly custom fabricated to hold the Classic Instruments AutoCross gauges as well as cradle the ididit tilt-steering column.
The dash, while having a C10 look, is truly custom fabricated to hold the Classic Instruments AutoCross gauges as well as cradle the ididit tilt-steering column.
The center of the dash will hold the information center (computer screen) as well as the controls for the Vintage Air HVA/C system.
The center of the dash will hold the information center (computer screen) as well as the controls for the Vintage Air HVA/C system.
The custom dash from the passenger side…also, note the custom floorboards to handle the girth of the Hughes 4L75E and modifications made to the rocker panel area.
The custom dash from the passenger side…also, note the custom floorboards to handle the girth of the Hughes 4L75E and modifications made to the rocker panel area.
The bed will feature custom wood flooring in a tri-fold metal frame that operated like a closet door. This will allow entrance to such items as the battery box, etc….
The bed will feature custom wood flooring in a tri-fold metal frame that operated like a closet door. This will allow entrance to such items as the battery box, etc….
Look closely at the tri-fold flooring…it’s operated by a pair of electric rams to control the opening and closing motion.
Look closely at the tri-fold flooring…it’s operated by a pair of electric rams to control the opening and closing motion.
Side shot gives a good look at what’s going on and what the final appearance will be. Note the top is chopped 2 ½ inches and the hood/cowl is now one piece.
Side shot gives a good look at what’s going on and what the final appearance will be. Note the top is chopped 2 ½ inches and the hood/cowl is now one piece.
You are looking at the optional IRS offered by the Roadster Shop for their Fast Track chassis.
You are looking at the optional IRS offered by the Roadster Shop for their Fast Track chassis.
Strange works their magic on the 9-inch. The centersection carrier is RS and configured to be used in an IRS format.
Strange works their magic on the 9-inch. The centersection carrier is RS and configured to be used in an IRS format. Originally made by Ford from 1957 through 1986 the complete rearend was used under everything the Blue Oval produced.
Look closely and you will see stanchions attached to the RS chassis. These were made along with others to support the custom pickup bed.
Look closely and you will see stanchions attached to the RS chassis. These were made along with others to support the custom pickup bed.
Here’s a shot that shows off the Corvette C6 spindle and hub carrier minus any brake caliper or bracket for better view.
Here’s a shot that shows off the Corvette C6 spindle and hub carrier minus any brake caliper or bracket for better view.
This is one of two adjustable struts (one either side) used in rearend alignment.
This is one of two adjustable struts (one either side) used in rearend alignment.
Ron McCorkle for Hot Rods by Dean is prepping the custom grille shell surround; note the mess grille insert.
Ron McCorkle for Hot Rods by Dean is prepping the custom grille shell surround; note the mess grille insert.
The inner fender panels were fabricated at HRBD; note how it nearly wraps around the front tower of the Roadster Shop IFS. Power rack and pinion is part of the Fast Track chassis package.
The inner fender panels were fabricated at HRBD; note how it nearly wraps around the front tower of the Roadster Shop IFS. Power rack and pinion is part of the Fast Track chassis package.
A peek under the dash shows where the VA components will live as well as all of the necessary engine/trans controllers.
A peek under the dash shows where the VA components will live as well as all of the necessary engine/trans controllers.
Geoff Jones of HRBD is involved in making the custom bed. Lots of fitting and refitting.
Geoff Jones of HRBD is involved in making the custom bed. Lots of fitting and refitting.
Custom pickup bed has many one-off features such as the center mounted gas filler, custom rear bumper mounting, and hidden battery trays.
Custom pickup bed has many one-off features such as the center mounted gas filler, custom rear bumper mounting, and hidden battery trays.
The custom bed also features the side markers removed…look closely, yet will use stock appearing taillights.
The custom bed also features the side markers removed…look closely, yet will use stock appearing taillights.
The IRS is currently fitted with struts but eventually Penske RS coilover shocks will be placed in service.
The IRS is currently fitted with struts but eventually Penske RS coilover shocks will be placed in service.
Corvette C6 spindles and hubs are a mainstay on the RS, FT chassis and in this build Baer six-piston calipers, drilled and slotted rotors are used.
Corvette C6 spindles and hubs are a mainstay on the RS, FT chassis and in this build Baer six-piston calipers, drilled and slotted rotors are used.
A rear look at the RS IRS based on a Strange Ford 9-inch centersection.
A rear look at the RS IRS based on a Strange Ford 9-inch centersection.
Look closely at the small circular white tabs…location for exhaust hangers, allows mount to move with heat expansion.
Look closely at the small circular white tabs…location for exhaust hangers, allows mount to move with heat expansion.
Rotor to rotor the RS IRS is really a good-looking piece but, more so, it has proven to yield a good ride and performance for the street and track enthusiast.
Rotor to rotor the RS IRS is really a good-looking piece but, more so, it has proven to yield a good ride and performance for the street and track enthusiast.
This angle shows the absence of the turn signals (normal for 1972)
This angle shows the absence of the turn signals (normal for 1972), the one-piece hood, the reworked wheel openings, the custom grille, its surround, headlights, and tucked custom bumper.
Upon closer inspection you will note that the word “Chevrolet” is cut into the metal.
The custom front grille insert and lower twin inlets (also for turn signals) are a series of small rectangles. Upon closer inspection you will note that the word “Chevrolet” is cut into the metal.
Back to Issue