



f you’ve already read this month’s editorial, then there’s no need for repeating the sentimental introduction here—if you haven’t then stop what you’re doing and go read it now (page 8)!
It only took 730 days to do so, but for those who got a glimpse of James King’s in-progress ’71 C10 Stepside, here’s the full feature you’ve (we’ve!) been waiting for … but we’ve been sitting on this for a bit, as it was the only truck perfectly suited to grace the cover celebrating our 730-day anniversary!








For starters, the stock chassis was forgone altogether in favor of Chopping Block’s Stage 3 full (Aldan American) coilover platform. With its narrowed (62-inch) track width, rack-and-pinion (Flaming River) steering, and torsion-style sway bar–equipped IFS and a triangulated four-link rear, Chopping Block’s chassis was a perfect choice for performance right out of the gate. Set to roll on Delmo’s own 7D 20-inch slotted “mags” wrapped in redline-cut 40-series Toyo radials by Diamondback Classics, the truck has that just-right ’70s feel with a modern twist.
Speaking of modern, the fatherly tribute theme was further carried out when it came to the 427 powerplant—however, while the cubes may be the same, the vessel in which they’re output is by no means of matching origin. Del selected a new 427ci LS7 for that modern-vintage twist, which he outfitted with a Autotrend EFI tri-power (controlled by Holley’s Terminator X ECU) atop a custom-machined intake flanked by big-block retrofit custom LS valve covers by Don Hardy. Healthy breathing is accomplished with a set of Speed Engineering headers and Borla mufflers with cutouts placed appropriately. And in lieu of the original Muncie four-speed, a TREMEC Magnum six-speed (Centerforce-equipped) was utilized.


When it came to the interior, Del called on his go-to stitcher Sean “Fat Lucky’s” Johnstun to do what he’s well known for: some of the baddest trim jobs ever stitched. That holds true with James’ truck, even though it’s just a bench seat (a Glide Engineering bench seat base, that is) and carpet job! The stock-looking dash actually features Dakota Digital RTX instrumentation, a Flaming River column with a repop wheel from Truck and Car Shop, and factory louvers feeding Vintage Air pumped fresh cool air for those warmer summer drives!
