This truck was not a typical restoration project for Classic Industries. This is a completely new vehicle. Although they didn't have to deal with rust and body rot notorious with a restoration project, they did pound, bend, and stretch the new sheetmetal to fit into our plans for a custom parts hauler.
This project was unique because, rather than hiring a professional shop to build the truck, it was built by employees at Classic Industries, enthusiasts who wrench and pound on their own projects. These employees needed a place to work, so they built a state-of-the-art 5,000-square-foot tech center and equipped it with Burr-King grinders, Bend Pak lifts, an Auto Twirler body rotisserie, Gearwrench handtools, an Ingersoll Rand compressor and tools, Island Clean Air downdraft units, Iwata spray guns, and Miller Electric welding equipment.
With the tech center completed in November, it was time to start building the truck. Jaime Seymour drew the concept with the classic color scheme of silver and burgundy. Edgar Soler was pulled from the showroom to be the project manager. He enlisted the help of call Center employees Jason Poling and Christian Carrillo, as well as Keith Pittman from returns to be the main builders. Other employees for specific tasks include Freddie Ruiz from the marketing and research department and Byron Stewart from the call center to do the woodworking; Bret Dethlefsen from the marketing and research department, and the accounting department's Regina Rowletts and her husband Lance for body prep and paint; and Ed Stevens from tech helped with the re-assembly and more were called up when needed.
They started with a Total Cost Involved chassis, bolted on some SSBC Force 10 Brakes with a remote reservoir, mounted a GM Performance Parts ZZ383 engine with Edelbrock intake, MSD ignition, and some Zoops goodies connected to a B&M 700-R4. A Moser rearend turns their signature American Racing Salt Flat wheels wrapped in Toyo rubber. The exhaust shoots through Doug's Headers and through a MagnaFlow system with Race Pro mufflers and out the rear fenders. A polished Mooneyes tank rests in the bed.
Body mods, such as frenched Delta Tech headlights, leaded seams, one-piece hood, hidden latch tailgate, custom dash, and console, were added to the new body. The underside and bedsides were finished with the durable Al's Liner. Out front, the Briz bumper from Chevs of the 40's sits tight to the grille and fenders. The body was squirted with House of Kolor shades and 'striped by Jeff Styles and polished by System One and Surf City Garage.
The interior keeps outside noise down with Hushmat sound deadener panels and has Procar Seats with custom embroidered covers from Distinctive Industries mounted on custom seat brackets. Auto Meter gauges sit behind an ididit column. Edgar and the boys built a custom center console with hidden cupholders. The windows ride up and down on Electric Life power window kit using handles from Clayton Machine Works. All the electrical is strewn through Painless wiring.
With most projects like this, the deadline was moved up to make the unveiling at the Pismo Beach Classic Car Show, June 20-22. Another challenge to this build was the cameras that followed the build on Speed Channel's hit series, Chop Cut Rebuild. The crew would come in a couple days a week to catch the progress while host Dan Woods would assist with that week's tasks. This process, at times, interrupted the workflow and made it a challenge to meet the deadlines. After long nights and endless days, the truck fired up and barked its first gasp right on schedule, six months in the making.