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December 2024
Preview Issue
Make It Yours. Make It Lokar. Modern Performance. Classic Style. Endless Options.
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digital illustration of how to use a shifter
selection of steering wheels
selection of driving pedals
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Lecarra Steering Wheels logo
Series Restored by Lokar
digital illustration of how to use a shifter
AxiShift logo
selection of steering wheels
Lecarra Steering Wheels logo
selection of driving pedals
Series Restored by Lokar
CTP TOC
InTheGarageMedia.com
Final inspection of the Chevy K10 doors with a flawless orange paint job
Shiny red convertible truck with hood open, displayed under a vendor tent at a show
Final inspection of the Chevy K10 doors with a flawless orange paint job
Shiny red convertible truck with hood open, displayed under a vendor tent at a show
Captain Wild Bill Blazer - Fuelish
blue 1954 F-100
Side view of a 1974 Ford F-100 showcasing a lowered profile and a Customline badge
Wide shot of the engine bay with installed custom panels, forming a clean, integrated look
Hot Rod
CLASSIC TRUCK PERFORMANCE VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 52 • 2024
CTP December 2024 cover
On The Cover:
John “NotStock” Jackson snapped this month’s sunset shot of Travis Alford’s Hellephant 1969 C10, while “Fuelish” Kevin Aguilar got the stunning shots of Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski’s Hogan Built 1972 Blazer.
Classic Truck Performance ISSN 2692-2347 (print) ISSN 2692-2355 (online) Issue 52 is published monthly by In the Garage Media, Inc., 370 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870-6502. Application to mail at periodicals prices is pending at Placentia, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Classic Truck Performance c/o In the Garage Media, Inc., 1350 E. Chapman Ave #6550, Fullerton, CA 92834-6550 or email ITGM, Inc. at subscription@inthegaragemedia.com. Copyright (c) 2024 IN THE GARAGE MEDIA, INC. Printed in the USA. The Classic Truck Performance trademark is a registered trademark of In The Garage Media, Inc.
CPP Classic Performance Products, Inc.: Steering, Brakes, Suspension
suspension adjustable sway bar kits and coil-over suspension conversion systems
complete big brake kits
efi tank systems
steering premium adjustable 5-way tilt steering columns
LS engine swaps
CPP truck, built for the street! proven on the track!
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Classic Performance Products, Inc. 378 E. Orangethorpe Ave. Placentia, CA 92870
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*Prices subject to change without notice, please inquire. Also, please note that kits and prices may vary between certain applications.
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ROB FORTIER
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Editorial Team
Wes Allison, Rodney Bauman, Tommy Lee Byrd, Ron Ceridono, Michael Christensen, Ron Covell, Grant Cox, Dominic Damato, John Drummond, Fuelish Media, Eric Geisert, John Gilbert, Joe Greeves, Barry Kluczyk, Scotty Lachenauer, Don Lindfors, Ryan Manson, Josh Mishler, NotStock Photography, Todd Ryden, Jason Scudellari, Chris Shelton, Tim Sutton, Chuck Vranas, Michael Yamada – Writers and Photographers
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Multiple cover issues from Classic Truck Performance
CTP logo Still Hammerin’

InTheGarageMedia.com

Rob Fortier
BY ROB FORTIER
That Feeling’s Back
I

t’s been a good 11 years—almost to the day as I write this—since I’ve had my own set of “vintage” wheels on the road. I’ve been messing with Harleys constantly the entire time, but all along every car/truck has been in a suspended state of re-animation, as it were.

It was September of 2013 when I traded off my 1953 Chevy Bel Air (the “blue car” as it was often referred to) for an in-progress, chopped 1947 Fleetline. That car was going to rival my chopped 1953, at least in my mind, as the renderings that Eric Black did clearly illustrated. Years went by, good progress was made (up to a point), and then the project stalled and eventually hit the wall progress-wise. Soon enough, it became a dust-collecting fixture, and by November of 2020 a deal was made to trade her off for a (supposedly) running/driving 1948 Chevy 3100—a chopped three-window!

Well, not taking into consideration a possible “chop curse,” the excitement of that truck quickly waned when I realized how much work had to be done in order to actually fulfill the “driving” aspect as mentioned above. So, she sat. (To be continued …)

CTP  Parts Dept.

InTheGarageMedia.com
EFI-Ready Frame Mount Gas Tank for 1967-1972 Ford Trucks, ARP Godzilla Fastener Kits, and Pro’s Pick FANTOM Tonneau Covers
1. EFI-Ready Frame Mount Gas Tank for 1967-1972 Ford Trucks
Tanks Inc. is proud to announce the release of a frame-mounted relocation gas tank for 1967-1972 Ford trucks. This EFI-ready tank makes it easy to move the tank out of the cab of your truck to under the bed. Available in two different neck configurations to fill through the bed, this die-stamped steel tank features a separate pump and sender to easily match the pump to your engine as well as different ohm ranges for the sender to correctly match to factory or aftermarket gauges. The price for the tank is $329.

For more information, contact Tanks Inc. at (877) 596-3842 or visit tanksinc.com.

2. ARP Godzilla Fastener Kits
The engineering team at industry leader ARP has developed a series of fastener kits to bolster the performance potential and reliability of Ford’s impressive 7.3L “Godzilla” engine. Among them are a head stud kit (PN 258-4301), main stud and bolt kit (PN 258-6501), rod bolts (PN 258-6301), and a harmonic damper bolt (PN 258-2501). The damper bolt comes with a large-diameter, 1/8-inch-thick washer for superior load distribution. Manufactured in-house at ARP’s Southern California facilities, the head and main studs are made of the proprietary ARP2000 alloy that is nominally rated at 220,000-psi tensile strength. They are centerless ground to ensure concentricity with threads rolled (not cut) after heat-treating to deliver up to 20-times better fatigue strength than ordinary fasteners. The rod bolts are also manufactured from ARP2000 material. Additional reliability can be employed by using ARP’s new flexplate bolt kit (PN 158-2901). Various OEM underhood fasteners can be replaced with ARP’s polished stainless steel or black-oxide-finished 8740 chromoly accessory bolts (fully 20 percent stronger than Grade 8 hardware) that come in handy five packs by size.

For more information, contact ARP at (800) 826-3045 or visit arp-bolts.com.

3. Pro’s Pick FANTOM Tonneau Covers
Introducing the FANTOM Tonneau Cover by Pro’s Pick—the ultimate tonneau cover for your classic truck. Crafted with the same premium quality and sleek, flush-mount design that customers love, the FANTOM sets a new standard in tonneau covers. It sits perfectly between the bedsides, ensuring nothing rests on top of the bedrails. Featuring a redesigned aluminum rail system with integrated water management and an upgraded hinge system, the FANTOM offers enhanced durability and strength. Installation is a breeze, and the cover can be easily removed if needed. Now available for select models with gas shocks, the upgraded electric lift option includes a convenient key fob remote system. Each cover is custom made to ensure optimal fitment for your specific truck. Proudly made in North America, the FANTOM is a testament to quality and craftsmanship.
 
For more information, contact Pro’s Pick at (800) 865-7366 or visit pros-pick.com.
Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Thunder Storm title
Speedtech Transforms a Rusty Relic 1954 F-100 Into a Real Head-Turner
by Fuelish Media
B

entley Hugie’s odyssey with this truck began in an unexpected manner. A twist of fate in the form of a defaulted debt landed a 1954 Ford F-100 in his possession. Initially, the weathered pickup was little more than an unwanted occupant of his property. However, destiny had other plans.

Front close-up of the blue 1954 Ford F100 focusing on its custom grille and round headlights
CTP Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Lifted blue and white Chevy K10 with large off-road tires and a chrome grille
1. MetalWorks Speed Shop, in Eugene, OR, transformed a longbed, two-wheel-drive 1972 Chevrolet pickup into a stunning shortbed 4×4.
Trans4mation title
MetalWorks Builds a Roadster Shop–Based 4×4 Chevy
BY Ron CeridonoIMAGES BY Chadly Johnson
M

etalWorks Speed Shop has become known as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier classic car restoration and speed shops. Likewise, Roadster Shop is a leading manufacturer of custom replacement chassis for a variety of cars and trucks. So, when they combined forces to build a 1972 four-wheel-drive Chevy pickup, the end result was bound to be spectacular.

As unlikely as it seems, this project began with a longbed, two-wheel-drive truck. Since the original frame and suspension were being replaced with an all-new Roadster Shop RS4 chassis, the truck’s original configuration wasn’t an issue.

CTP logo Event
InTheGarageMedia.com

Tennessee Truckin’

Chevy and GMC Trucks Gather in Greeneville for the 2nd Annual GM Truck Fair
crowded truck show street scene with a stage and classic trucks lined up

Chevy and GMC Trucks Gather in Greeneville for the 2nd Annual GM Truck Fair

classic trucks displayed at Harrison’s Rod Shop booth during an event
patina Chevy C10 with rust and custom wheels at a show
By Tommy Lee ByrdImages By the author
I

f you own a classic truck, there is no shortage of events to attend. This is especially true below the Mason-Dixon line. Between the Texas get-togethers and Tennessee gatherings, the map is hot in the Southern states, but there is a new event hitting the scene with lots of potential. It’s called the GM Truck Fair and it’s the brainchild of Bryan Harrison, owner and operator of Harrison’s Rod and Custom. We’ve known Harrison for a while now, and we’ve featured some of his work in the magazine, so when he told us he had an idea for a new truck show we wanted to get involved.

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Greatest Catch typography

Captain “Wild” Bill’s 1972 K5 Blazer

BY Fuelish Media
T

here’s nowhere else Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch would rather be than reeling in tons of king crab. Well, that was until his 1972 K5 was finished and delivered. Now you can catch him rolling around town in the type of truck he fell in love with when he was a kid. With such a busy schedule and having some valuable connections within the car restoration business, the captain figured it best to holler out to one of the truck scene’s premier builders for help.

1970s K5 Blazer off-road SUV, yellow with white hardtop, ocean view
CTP Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Red OBS with open hood showcasing engine modifications in a garage
OBS: Oh Be Still My (Metalworking) Heart, Too! typography
Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs Gets Down on a 1995 Silverado
BY Kenneth “Stress Ball” DeKissereImages BY Camren Beattie
A

fter the Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs open house in May, I was pulled off my usual projects to build a rear fender for a 1936 Ford coupe. After I finished that, I was told to start working on this 1995 Silverado owned by Brian Wojcik. By this time, Sev had built the coilover chassis for it and had done some modifications to the firewall and front fenders to get the truck to a static 3- to 4-inch ride height. My task was to build a simple engine bay, shave a few things on the body, and build the bed floor—so I started with the engine bay.

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
The Hellephant Hauler typography
Travis Alford’s 426 Hemi-Powered 1969 Chevy C10
BY ROB FORTIERImages BY NotStock Photography
I

n a nutshell, Travis Alford’s reason for building his 1969 C10: “Honestly, I was at the end of a six-year build on my 1970 Camaro and I wanted to do a truck that didn’t need to go through [the traditional] paint process!” That said, Travis didn’t skip the aforementioned paint process altogether; read on.

Low angle side profile of 1969 Chevy C10 truck, rustic warehouse, sunset sky
CTP Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Pinhole Patrol
Applying body filler to repair pinholes on a primed Chevy K10 door panel during restoration
Paint Prep Pointers for the Shy of Sight
BY “Rotten” Rodney Bauman

I’ve done this so long I could do it blindfolded!” It’s just an old idiom, but in my own case it’s a good thing it’s true. Thinking back a bit or two, I’ve been in the painting profession for nearly 50 years. Like other grizzled paint shop vets, I’ve adjusted to constant change. Now well beyond retirement age, I’m intending to remain in the game, despite the old-guy physical challenges—and sadly dwindling vision.

On the upside, we’re busy in the shop! Our 1955 Chevy second series build is, for the most part, now in living color. Looking back through last summer’s snapshots, I sort of got to thinking that they might be helpful for others who may also be shy of sight, or even just struggling with inadequate lighting. Here, interspersed amidst gray primer-surfacer, we’ve got pinholes—scads of teeny-tiny, nearly invisible pinholes.

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
The OTHER Popular 1/2-Ton
Wilwood’s In-House–Built 1974 F-100
BY CTP StaffIMAGES BY MARCO OLGUIN
W

hen classic trucks were becoming way more prevalent in the automotive aftermarket as high-end builds about 10 years ago, Wilwood Engineering was looking for a few different trucks that would lend themselves to be great project testbeds and aid with designing new big brake kits. One of these trucks that landed at the Wilwood doorstep was a 1974 Ford F-100. After it was around in the R&D shop for a while when the brake kits were being designed, owner Bill Wood took a liking to it. He then easily decided to take it to a next-level build that would not only showcase Wilwood Disc Brakes but also many of their top engineer’s skills at designing and fabricating parts. Bill asked Wilwood’s chief engineer, Ken Ramey, to help design some of the integral engine and cooling parts that were added to the F-100.

Custom 1974 Ford F-100 in silver with Wilwood brakes and a lowered suspension for a sleek stance
CTP Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
The Souza F-100
Making the Effie’s Bed … By Hand
A 1953-1956 Ford F-100 undergoing a custom wide-body bed modification
1. The outer skin on this bed will be completely handmade following the contour of the cab. The original fenders will stick out slightly, creating a delightful blend of new and old.
BY Ron Covell IMAGES BY The Author
I

t’s been many months since we checked on the progress of the Souza F-100 being built at Gary’s Rods & Restorations. We think you’ll love seeing the work done on the bed, which is largely handmade, with a design that follows the contours of the cab. The outer portion of the rear fenders will stand proud of the contoured bedsides, so it will have a unique character—bringing traditional Ford styling into the modern era. Emilio Belmonte is the primary fabricator on this project, and as you’ll see, the work is done to a very high level.

A reproduction bed and rear fenders were sourced from LMC but they will be highly modified. The original bed was spaced about 1-1/2 inches away from the cab in the center, and with the curvature of the cab that left a sizable gap on each side. Extensions were made for the front of the bed so it closely follows the cab contours, and a piece of 1-1/4-inch round tubing was bent to cap the double walls at the front edge. The wide rear tires required inner wheelwells that were carefully shaped from new metal.

CTP logo Event
InTheGarageMedia.com
Classic truck show by the coast, featuring various custom trucks and a lively crowd
WEST COAST'S GM TRUCK DESTINATION typographic title in red
The 2024 C10 SLO Down
BY Rob Fortier Images by THE AUTHOR
W

hen they say location is everything, that applies to more than just real estate. Take, for instance, your average car/truck show. Staged at a fairground or vast parking lot does allow you to focus primarily on the subjects at hand—the vehicles—but every now and then, a nice change of scenery (no pun intended) leaves a lasting impression.

My recent trip up the California coast to a quaint little seaside town called Avila Beach did just that—left a lasting impression, at least as far as my first attendance at the C10 SLO Down is concerned.

What's Inside Your Ride typography
TMI logo
Visit us at TMIproducts.com typography
red truck driving and two black leather seats
close up of black and brother leather seats
close up of gray and brown leather seats
Cruiser Collection logo
Deluxe Bench Seat logo
Pro-Series Seats logo
TMI logo
red truck driving and two black leather seats
Cruiser Collection logo
close up of black and brother leather seats
Deluxe Bench Seat logo
close up of gray and brown leather seats
Pro-Series Seats logo
Classic Truck Performance logo
Thanks for reading our December 2024 preview issue!