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November 2024
Preview Issue
Make It Yours. Make It Lokar. Modern Performance. Classic Style. Endless Options.
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Series Restored by Lokar
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Series Restored by Lokar
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InTheGarageMedia.com
TIG welding torch close-up, creating precise welds on metal with pink ceramic nozzle
1961 Ford F-100 with a sleek black paint job and modern, low-slung custom build
TIG welding torch close-up, creating precise welds on metal with pink ceramic nozzle
1961 Ford F-100 with a sleek black paint job and modern, low-slung custom build
1952 Chevrolet 3100, custom red paint, chrome grille, and modern wheels, classic meets modern styling
Side view of the same red Ford F-100, showing its impressive low stance and weathered body against urban decay
1968 Chevrolet C10 matte gray finish with chrome five-spoke wheels and custom front grille
1961 Ford F-100 with a sleek black paint job and modern, low-slung custom build
Hot Rod
CLASSIC TRUCK PERFORMANCE VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 51 • 2024
CTP November 2024 cover
On The Cover:
We have a trio of cover credits this month: Talbert Goldman’s flamin’ hot OBS by John Jackson, the Speedway Motors 1968 C10 by Jason Lubken, and Rick Clutter’s amazing 1961 Unibody by Fuelish Media!
Classic Truck Performance ISSN 2692-2347 (print) ISSN 2692-2355 (online) Issue 51 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
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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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Rob Fortier
BY ROB FORTIER
The Art of Magazine Making
L

ooking back, I still wonder if the decision to start a brand-new publishing company in February-March of 2020 was a good idea or not. Well, considering that all I’ve done and known since 1993 is how to make magazines, I guess there really was no choice … especially since I wasn’t ready to tie on an apron and flip burgers … yet.

But to be honest, I had no desire to start over and try something different. I’ve become so accustomed to the art of making magazines that it’s literally part of who I am. Because of all the connections and relationships I’ve made over the last three decades in this particular industry, it only made sense to stick with what—and who—I knew.

And when I reference “art” in the process of creating a magazine, I mean the entire procedure, from the generation of content (and the manner in which it’s generated) to the way it’s presented in published form. That’s a job in and of itself when you look at the role of the editor of, let’s say, GQ or Time magazine. Not for us low-level grunts, though—no way, no how! You see, for the typical niche-market enthusiast magazine editor, it goes way beyond that. I would love to be a proverbial “interior decorator,” as it were, and simply assign my vast staff of in-house and freelance journalists and photographers to go out and create selected content on a monthly basis—but since I am the in-house journalist, I myself have to do the creating part … and I’m absolutely OK with that, as it keeps me immersed in the hobby from a builder’s and manufacturer’s aspect. Keeping up on all the latest and greatest parts, or simply putting a new twist on an old one and how it’s installed and/or used, is how I stay relevant, so to speak.

CTP  Parts Dept.

InTheGarageMedia.com
Dakota Digital Grafix Series Of Instrumentation For Gm Trucks, Fitech’s All-new Go Spark Distributors, And All American Chassis’ Affordable Game Changer!
1. DAKOTA DIGITAL GRAFIX SERIES OF INSTRUMENTATION FOR GM TRUCKS
Dakota Digital unveiled their Grafix series of instrumentation fitting early GM trucks. The first direct-fit products to debut in this family fit the following year ranges: 1947-1953, 1955-1959, 1960-1963, 1964-1966, 1967-1972, and 1973-1987. The Grafix Series allows the user to customize nearly every aspect of the instrument system. A variety of graphic themes can be selected, each element within can be further personalized with unique display colors and warning modes. Furthermore, each gauge location can be configured with an analog, digital, or bar-graph style of readout. Each display can show readings individually, grouped in pairs for twice the visible data, or completely reconfigured to show a different readout entirely! New to the automotive aftermarket is the integration of a reverse backup video display, offering you visibility, safety, and peace of mind while backing. Using the largest onboard display within the Grafix system, the video footage is displayed right within the instrument cluster.

Dakota Digital offers a range of backup cameras, available separately, with full-length wire harness and universal mounting for simplified installation. Onboard GPS technology provides automatic speedometer calibration, no matter the tire size or gearing! A wired VSS source is used to provide an always-present and real-time speedometer input signal, utilizing the GPS information as a known speed reference, providing the user with the best operation and ease of calibration. Built-in Bluetooth technology allows wireless access to the Dakota Digital App, available for download on your smartphone or tablet. The app can be used for simple configuration, calibration, system customization, or even vehicle troubleshooting with real-time gauge and sensor data. USB access port provides field updates, allowing for future enhancements, new factory-released graphic theme imports, and a variety of features yet to come. Integrated G-force meter provides a graphical display of the real-time gravity impact. Whether carving the corners, launching, or braking with authority, this display will show you effects of your driving prowess.

For more information, contact Dakota Digital at (800) 852-3228 or visit dakotadigital.com/GRFX.

2. FiTech’s All-New Go Spark Distributors
FiTech Fuel Injection is excited to announce the expansion of its popular Go Spark Distributor line, adding several new models to meet the growing needs of automotive enthusiasts and engine builders. This expansion reinforces FiTech’s commitment to providing high-quality ignition parts and accessories that offer precision, durability, and performance. The Go Spark Distributors are designed to replace OEM distributors, offering features that enhance ignition performance for various engine types. With CNC machined aluminum housings for enhanced durability and adjustable mechanical advance for optimal performance at all rpm levels, these distributors are a perfect upgrade for your engines. Each distributor is meticulously crafted to deliver exceptional precision and efficiency. The CNC-machined aluminum housing ensures the distributors can withstand the demands of high-performance automotive applications. Fine-tune your engine’s performance with the adjustable mechanical advance system, optimized for various rpm levels. With options available for Chrysler, Pontiac, and other engines, FiTech’s distributors cater to a broad range of vehicles, with additional applications to come. Some models feature built-in modules for easy installation with a straightforward three-wire hookup, eliminating the need for an external ignition control box. Every FiTech Go Spark Distributor is backed by a three-year limited warranty, ensuring peace of mind and quality performance.

For more information, contact FiTech at (951) 340-2624 or visit fitechefi.com.

3. ALL AMERICAN CHASSIS’ AFFORDABLE GAME CHANGER!
All American Chassis has done and made chassis swaps great again with the introduction of their all-new Budget Series of custom truck platforms. Get all the features of a more expensive chassis at a fraction of the price (we’re talking under $10,000 for the entry-level option!). Each chassis features CNC-cut framerails from 2×4 0.120-inch wall rectangular tubing (NO MANDREL BENDS!); CNC laser-cut crossmembers with MIG/TIG-welded components; 3.75-inch exhaust cutouts; adjustable transmission crossmember; TIG welded, adjustable tubular control arms; triangulated four-link for less moving parts and maximum lift; stainless steel tie rods and motor/body mounts included. With the addition of airbags, they will lay frame! All American Chassis also has a host of upgrade options, from complete brake packages to steering and suspension components, fuel systems, rearends, and more!

Contact All American Chassis at (844) 245-5381 or visit allamericanbillet.com.

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Hand-Me-Down In Flames
Talbert Goldman’s 1990 GMC
BY ROB FORTIERIMAGES BY NotStock Photography
T

his here story starts out with a 1949 Studebaker truck—a truck originally owned by Charles Talbert before being passed down to Mike Goldman, his soon-to-be son-in-law. By the time Talbert Goldman entered the picture, the Stude—and his father’s shop, Mike Goldman Customs—had been getting quite a bit of recognition. Before he was even licensed to drive, his parents handed the 1949 down to him and thus began the truck’s third incarnation, this time resplendent in red suede with whitewalls and a rather recognizable set of flames (so much so, in fact, it graced the cover of a magazine or two that I/we used to be affiliated with!).

Custom GMC Sierra with orange flames and red interior at a car show
CTP Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
1968 Chevrolet C10 with a sleek gray finish, modern wheels, and a custom engine, showcased in a polished museum setting
The Speedway Motors 1968 C10
The Speedway Motors 1968 C10
Part 6: The Finale
BY Joe McColloughIMAGES BY Jason Lubken & Jessica Coleman
M

ost of us gearheads are blessed (or afflicted) with the gift to see what isn’t there. We see hopped-up engines in engine compartments that contain no more than a racoon family. We see a sleek and slammed cruiser where an abandoned and forlorn truck sits in the weeds. Such was the case for us when we first spotted what was left of a 1968 C10 parked in a snowdrift next to a barn in the middle of nowhere. There was no engine, no box, no interior to speak of, and one of the rear wheels was so packed full of snow that it wouldn’t even roll onto the trailer. But we could see it. Under that yellow spray bomb paint, rust, and moss was a smoothed-over classic truck that would gobble up highway miles and look cool doing it. So, with visions of future road trips dancing in our heads, we loaded up the heap and headed back to our Lincoln, Nebraska, shop to begin the transformation.

If you’ve been following along here, you’ve seen the story unfold. Once we liberated our treasure from the snowdrift, we got it taken apart and dove right in on the chassis. A trip to the blaster revealed a clean and straight frame, so we hit it with a coat of black urethane and started reassembly with a Speedway Motors G-Comp Coilover Rear Suspension, 9-inch housing, and a 3.50-geared third member. The front suspension was brought down to earth with a complete front suspension kit that included dropped springs, dropped spindles, and disc brakes.

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Old Flame typography
A Former Emergency Response 1963 F-100 Revitalized and Immortalized
By Fuelish Media
B

rent Mivelaz of Temecula, California, is one lucky guy. Not only does he have one of the raddest unibody Fords this side of the Mississippi (honestly, we’re too lazy to check the other side of the Mississippi so he may very well have both sides on lock), but he has the full support of his family when it comes to working on his projects. And it’s that support that made this 1963 F-100 possible in the first place.

Side view of the same red Ford F-100, showing its impressive low stance and weathered body against urban decay
CTP Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Custom Autosound Slidebar
Custom Autosound’s 1967-1972 Slidebar Radio Install
BY ROB FORTIERIMAGES BY THE AUTHOR
I

remember like it was yesterday (plus a few decades or so), installing my first twin-knob aftermarket radio—a Kraco hand-me-down from Radio Shack, if I recall correctly—in my 1976 Datsun 620 pickup back in the summer of 1984. (Crazy to think that, at the time, the truck was only 8 years old and set me back a measly $1,500!) I “boosted” that head unit with the addition of a 15-inch subwoofer stolen from my parents’ old Zenith console TV unit, which ultimately did nothing more than rattle!

Since then, I’ve progressed quite well with the car audio equipment in my various vehicles over the years, from an Alpine 7909 single-DIN (which I still have, believe it or not) to a more recent Kenwood DMX series double-DIN with all the fancy bells and whistles. But, ironically enough, when it came time to outfit my 1969 C10 with a head unit, guess what I went right back to? Yep, a good-old twin-knob AM-FM unit … but no ordinary radio, mind you.

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
The Long Road typography
Rick Clutter’s Demanding yet Revolutionary 1961 Ford F-100 Unibody
By Fuelish Media
W

hile it’s refreshing to hear about easy-going, successful builds, there is always a flip side to these “dream” projects. Nobody wants to struggle throughout the process of reaching to meet a milestone (especially when building a custom vehicle), but it’s a reality that is completely unavoidable in some cases. Chalk it up to being the nature of the business because piecing a one-off truck together isn’t always as enjoyable as it should be.

Front view of the 1961 Ford F-100 highlighting its smooth, minimalist grille and modern headlights
CTP logo Tech

InTheGarageMedia.com

tig tech 101 typography
1. TIG welding gives you unparalleled control over every aspect of the welding process. It works with any weldable metal and can cover a wide range of thicknesses.
What’s Hot in the World of TIG Welding Torch Cups
BY Ron Covell Images by THE AUTHOR
TIG

welding has long been considered the premier welding process. With constantly dropping equipment prices, we are seeing it used for more and more truck builds, both professional and amateur. The reason TIG welding is so popular is because it gives you unmatched control over every aspect of the welding process. This allows a knowledgeable welder to make a strong weld with an excellent appearance on any weldable metal. One thing that confuses beginning welders is that there are so many choices to make when buying equipment, and still more choices to get the machine dialed-in properly. In this article, we’ll focus on the torch, or handpiece, that you manipulate to get the welding arc exactly where you want it.

The heart of the torch is the tungsten electrode that the electric arc emanates from. This arc creates the heat needed to make a weld. With TIG welding, a shield of inert gas envelops the weld zone and the electrode, which keeps them from getting contaminated by the oxygen in the atmosphere. TIG torches have a cup that surrounds the electrode and guides the flow of shielding gas. There is a broad selection of cups available; we’re going to look closely at the different types and the unique properties they have.

CTP Event
InTheGarageMedia.com
Bright blue 1967 Ford F100 cruising with white steel wheels
Slammed red 1967 Ford F100 with custom black grille and wheels
The 41st Annual F-100 Western Nationals
The 41st Annual F-100 Western Nationals
Now a SoCal FoMoCo Truck Tradition Since 1992
Patina-covered 1948 Ford F1 with a weathered yellow finish
Lowered yellow 1967 Ford F100 with white steel wheels and roof rack
BY CTP StaffImages BY Fuelish Media
I

f you’re a SoCal Ford truck fanatic you know full well what the end of each June means: the annual F-100 Western Nationals at Featherly Park in Anaheim, California. But do you know much about its origins or the club chapter that started it?

This excerpt from the 1998 Pickups Limited Orange County Newsletter ought to help explain: “An ad appeared in a March 1968 PennySaver issue. It had a phone number and urged anyone interested in trucking to call. That ad was placed by a man named George Dietz and his wife, Judy, who worked at the PennySaver. Judy took a lot of calls, did some PR work, and gathered together a group of six or eight guys. Because of the similar body styles of the Ford F-100s from 1953 to 1956 they had decided their [then] Pickups Club would be limited to those years. They started meeting in the Dietzs’ garage in Garden Grove, California, on Tuesday nights and sat around discussing their trucks, getting to know each other, and deciding whether to form a club. They met two or three times like this and then decided to go for it. The goal of the club was to promote these classic trucks, and in doing so to have a social club providing family fun. Of the original six members, four had to be board members. The president was George, the vice president was Dave Juhl, the secretary was Bob Williams, and the treasurer was Gene Davis. There were only a few other members. Of these original guys who spent much time and effort in setting up the club, only one is left today … he’s still in the club and other than one excused absence, has not missed a meeting in 20 years! This man is Lee Hill.”

Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
ruby typography
Chris & Paula Tulley’s 1952 Chevy 3100 … the Apicella Way
By CTP Staff images by Tommy Koppinger
C

hris Tulley’s love for the Advance Design Series GM trucks—specifically the 1947-1953 five-windows—began when he was a teenager. He recalls, “… when I was 16 years old, my father had a stock 1953 that I learned to drive in. I then drove that pickup as an apprentice all over San Francisco until I was 22 years old. At a point in time my father wanted to get rid of the truck but I was unable to buy it because I did not have a place to store or work on it, so I had to let it go.” Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there, which we’re pretty sure you already knew!

“Fast-forward 40-plus years,” Chris continues. “I retired and I always wanted to go to a Barrett-Jackson auction, so we went in 2019 and that’s where I met Brad Apicella. My wife and I decided to build a truck from the ground up to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary—she loves red, so we picked the color Ruby in honor of our 40th.”

1952 Chevrolet 3100, custom red paint, chrome grille, and modern wheels, classic meets modern styling
CTP Tech
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Two Vintage Air boxes on display in front of a customized blue 1990s Chevrolet CK 1500
1. Thanks to the help of Vintage Air, this step of making the truck more roadworthy and comfortable is possible due to the Gen 5 SureFit Complete Kit for 1988-1994 OBS trucks.
Next-Gen Cool typography
Vintage Air’s Latest SureFit A/C for the 1988-1994 OBS
BY Jon Barefoot & Jessica RoachIMAGES BY THE AUTHORS
T

hree years ago, the journey of this project had every intention of being a dependable driver. Unfortunately, like most sport trucks from the 1990s, the further we dove into the project, the more neglect we found. It is ironic that everything on our 1990 Chevy 1500 has everything modified besides the interior cooling system, making it a no-brainer to add this upgrade. With air conditioning being one of the most important aspects of a daily driver (especially here in the legendary heat and humidity of Alabama), we quickly came to realize that none of the factory air conditioning was working nor was it repairable. With 20 years of personal experience installing Vintage Air and being part of the team at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop where their products are installed in every build, we knew immediately what our solution was.

CTP logoFeature star Feature

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Family Jewel typography
Family Jewel typography
Adam Phaneuf’s Decadent 1964 Chevy C10
BY Chuck VranasImages BY THE AUTHOR
I

t’s always an exciting moment in time when you get the opportunity to shop for a new truck. Regardless of whether your needs are to support a small business, hauling goods for the farm, construction related, or for daily transportation, let’s face it, trucks are where it’s at. Imagine if your purchase led you on a journey that spanned 60 years, involving four generations of your family? That in-itself is a story worth telling. The decadent 1964 Chevy C10 owned by Adam Phaneuf of Southborough, Massachusetts, laid out across our pages has a deep history dating back to his grandfather, Edgar, purchasing it new from Gannon Motors in Westborough, Massachusetts, back in the day. Having never left the family, it’s served them well through the decades until Adam made the decision to start a restoration that eventually took the performance path.

What's Inside Your Ride typography
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red truck driving and two black leather seats
close up of black and brother leather seats
close up of gray and brown leather seats
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red truck driving and two black leather seats
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close up of black and brother leather seats
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close up of gray and brown leather seats
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HEAT WAVE typographic uppercase title in gold
mint-green 1950s Chevrolet Suburban with a two-tone paint job and lowered stance
Blazing Hot Action at the 14th Annual Southeastern Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals
BY Tommy Lee Byrd Images by THE AUTHOR
W

hen summer rolls around, folks in the Southeast battle heat and humidity on a daily basis. Escaping to a nearby shade tree or air-conditioned building is commonplace, but when it comes to truck shows the heat doesn’t seem to keep anyone away. Such is the case with the Southeastern Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals, held annually at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tennessee, just East of Nashville. The venue offers ample space for trucks and spectators, as well as new parts vendors, merchandise, food, and even a swap meet. Shade trees, pavilions, and buildings are plentiful.

The Southeastern Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals is in its 14th year and continues to grow. Bryan Ashley and his family and friends put this event together and always find ways to make it better each year. For the 2024 rendition of the event, a total of 1,648 participated in the two-day show and thousands of spectators filed in each day for a jam-packed weekend of truck action.

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Thanks for reading our November 2024 preview issue!