Like many readers of this site, I consider myself a “truck guy.” I previously owned a 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup and a 1997 C2500 pickup, and currently drive a 1988 GMC 3500 Extended Cab long bed dually.
One of my least favorite things about the SEMA Show are the mega-lifted show trucks. The ones with painted driveshafts, LED underbody lights, train horns, and light bars that will never see so much as a spot of dirt because they are strictly for show. Unfortunately, this formula is repeated many times over at SEMA, and I just have no interest in these vehicles.
However, I did come across a truck at the 2023 SEMA Show that caught my attention. The Restomod Air booth in the Central Hall featured this unique 1968 Travelette crewcab truck from International Harvester.
Make no mistake, hiding behind the patina blue paint and rusty bumpers, this is a fully custom built truck. In fact, I sometimes prefer the original patina over a flawless paint job. It is a truck, after all.
Owner Tony Leal hauled the truck out of a field and brought it to the Old Anvil Speed Shop in Orange, CA. The body was removed from the chassis and a completely new frame was made from scratch out of 3×6 steel. The new frame has an independent front suspension and a 4-link rear suspension, with an Air Lift Performance 3H system with Slam Specialties bags, VIAIR compressors and a FLO air tank that can drop it to the ground.
Under the hood is a Chevrolet L83 5.3-liter V8 coupled to a 6L80E automatic transmission. Fuel management is a Holley Pro-Flo fuel system coupled to a custom tank made by Old Anvil. Other goodies include Speed Engineering headers, Mattson radiator with Spal electric fans, and a stainless exhaust with Borla mufflers. The powertrain is rounded out with a Strange Engineering 9-inch rear end, Dutchman axles, and an Eaton limited-slip differential.
There are 12-inch Wilwood disc brakes at all four corners providing safe stopping power. The truck has Avant Garde SR10 wheels measuring 20 x 8.5 up front and 20 x 11 in the rear, wrapped in Nitto NT555 G2 rubber.
The truck is nicknamed “Slammedelette” and even has custom fender emblems, which I thought was a clever touch.
The interior was given a full treatment by MST Upholstery in Brea, California. The factory bench seat was wrapped in fresh vinyl, and new custom carpet on the floor. An Ididit steering column, MOMO steering wheel and Dakota Digital gauges add all of the necessary comforts to the interior. And of course, the Restomod Air HVAC system provides efficient and reliable heating and cooling for the cab.
Hidden in the truck is a full custom audio system by Define Concepts in Orange, CA. It features Rockford Fosgate amps driving Hertz 6.5-inch speakers and JL Audio subwoofers.
The natural finish pine wood slats in the bed look nice with the faded blue paint.
When people come to SEMA, they expect to see crazy, full custom builds, and this truck checks all the boxes. A scratch made frame is a serious undertaking, and to do that with a Travelette is a truly unique project, and one that I am happy to feature on this site. Great work to Old Anvil and all of the shops and people that worked on this amazing truck.
