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InTheGarageMedia.com
Ultimate Square
Walsh-Lakeside Speed & Shine Contender for Best Third-Gen C10 Ever Built
by Fuelish Media
I

f you’ve happened to frequent the same events as this drop-dead gorgeous 1975 C10, you may have heard the murmurs and whisperings regarding its ranking among other Squarebody Chevy pickups. The words “perfect” and “highest quality” seem to be overheard a lot, and for good reason. There is no questioning the caliber of the work Jim McKay of Lakeside Speed & Shine and every other talented set of hands involved with the creation of this C10. For sure, this truck is a member of the top echelon of Squarebodies ever fabricated, but is it the “best”? That is a huge title to award, especially since it has just hit the scene in late 2024. Yes, using the holiest of superlatives to describe this ’75 is subject to every judge’s personal ruling, but it would be a crime to withhold it from consideration.

1973 Chevy C10 front end detail billet grille headlight close-up
Jim McKay and his wife, Monique, were the first owners of this C10 project, which has always been an Arizona truck. When they first bought it they figured it would be a cool shop project to represent Lakeside Speed & Shine’s vast abilities. As time quickly zipped by, however, the C10 fell lower on their list of priorities until it completely found its way off that list—as a personal build, that is. As luck would have it, a guy by the name of Frank Walsh approached the McKays with a proposition to buy the ’75 from them, but only if they would agree to build it for him at Lakeside. Of course, Jim and Monique were happy to oblige as they happily broke ground on the project in March 2022.

The truck was always destined to sit as low to the ground as possible, and to do just that with ease Jim utilized a SPEC Slammed chassis from Roadster Shop. With the addition of Firestone airbags, Wilwood spindles, a four-link with Watts link at the rear, and Fox shocks all around, the C10’s new frame suited the project perfectly. New Wilwood disc brakes, including six-piston front calipers from Little Shop Mfg. are framed amazingly by a set of 22×9.5 front and 24×14 rear Schott C7 wheels covered with fresh Pirelli rubber.

1973 Chevy C10 bed tubbed and painted turquoise with hidden fuel filler
1973 Chevy C10 raised bed floor reveals air suspension setup with custom cover
1973 Chevy C10 AccuAir e-Level system dual Viair compressors polished tanks
The next phase of the build was to find an appropriate engine for the C10, and nothing short of a Dart LS Next aluminum block with Frankenstein heads would do. A Whipple 3.0L supercharger was also thrown into the mix, as was a Holley Dominator fuel injection system, an Aeromotive fuel pump, Spectra air cleaner, and a set of Ultimate Headers that expel spent fumes though a 3-inch MagnaFlow exhaust setup. A 4L80E transmission with a 2,800-stall converter from Gearstar has been brought in to back up the high-powered LSX that functions through a GSM push-button shifter, all wired up with the rest of the truck by Jesse Webb at Lakeside. A Ford 9-inch rear housing with 3.73 gears and 35-spline axles from Strange Engineering have found their way onto the C10’s impressive driveline lineup, which boasts an estimated output of 1,000 hp with 720 lb-ft of torque! A proper amount of paint and fabrication work showcase the Chevy’s powerplant in a museum-quality presentation. Oh, and don’t forget to look up at the network of paneling found on the underside of the hood! The attention to detail here is insane.
1973 Chevy C10 engine bay with color-matched supercharger and polished intake
Interior dashboard and center console of a modern vehicle with a touchscreen, cup holders, and control features.
1973 Chevy C10 interior billet steering wheel Dakota Digital gauges modern dash
1973 Chevy C10 billet Specialties wheels on Nitto tires tucked under fenders
With the C10 taking shape as expected, Jim continued making progress by working his magic on the exterior. His goal was to tighten all body gaps to give the truck a smooth appearance, and there were also a few must-dos on the agenda to make up for its extremely low stance. The bed floor had to be raised, and the OEM wheeltubs required substantial widening to accommodate the oversized wheel and tire combo. Jim obviously did so in style. A center panel in the bed floor allows easy access to the suspension system below, and it’s through this vantage point where the detail work underneath truly shines. The frame and other accessories have been either powdercoated or painted to add protection and a dash of class to a section of the build that isn’t always on full display. The bumpers have been modified, shaved, tucked, and all bolts have been hidden to add to the truck’s streamlined physique. And if you think that’s cool, EVOD Industries also made a one-off billet grille for a truly custom touch. Finishing off the exterior, the two-tone paint scheme does look classic and familiar, the exact color codes are custom mixtures that Jim cooked up and applied himself.
1973 Chevy C10 classic truck custom wheels scenic sunset location
1973 Chevy C10 close-up Whipple supercharger turquoise finish LARIS valve covers
All of Jim’s completed projects are known for being astoundingly well-rounded, which is exactly why he contacted Mobile Toys Inc. (MTI) in College Station, Texas, to lend a hand with the C10’s interior rehab process. Chris Pate at MTI led the charge in hand making custom seats and covering them in two-tone gray leather as well as the headliner Alcantara upholstery. Instead of searching for replacement factory interior paneling, Pate went a step further by 3-D printing a ton of in-cab components, including the dashboard and door panels, which make for a truly unique driving environment. Other highlights include the Holley 12.3-inch Pro Dash unit, a Sparc steering wheel, and Kenwood and Focal audio components that have been expertly installed. The custom center console houses a Switch-Pros master switch panel to allow for easy control of the power windows and door poppers, an Accuair e-Level controller, as well as a Dakota Digital climate-control panel for the utmost level of convenience at an arm’s reach.
1973 Chevy C10 lowered restomod turquoise bed seamless tailgate
In just under three years, Jim and his team at Lakeside Speed & Shine completely rebuilt this C10 for a valued customer instead of for the shop. Jim was thrilled to allow his grand vision for the truck rollout even though the keys wouldn’t end up in his own pocket. For a seasoned builder, that’s really the only driving force behind a project of this stature. Is it the cleanest custom Squarebody C10 built to date? It’s a topic we are all sure to hear more about as the 2025 show season kicks into high gear. In fact, Frank Walsh’s ’75 has already racked up a big victory at the first major show of the year with a Best of Show win at Lone Star Throwdown in February. What a great start to the season for this bar-setting Square!
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