Tag Archives: Chevrolet

SEMA 2022 – 1971 Cheyenne C-10

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Meticulously designed by Kevin Webb and assembled by Hot Rod & Custom Garage this 1971 C-10 is tribute to Kevin’s father. Already an award-winning truck this vehicle was entered in consideration for the 2022 SEMA “Battle of the Builders”.

Featuring a Vintage Air system, Dakota Digital dash cluster, CPP suspension and Ridler wheels what really drew me to this truck was the instantly recognizable TPI intake manifold sitting on top the small-block powered pickup.

As a Chevrolet fan nearing his 40’s, there was a time when I remember the TPI as the hot thing. Sure, shortly after there was the LT1, however it’s design was exotic by comparison. It’s non-traditional distributor location and reverse-cooling that required some creative welding skills that were beyond the everyman. The TPI could bolt to any SBC from the 265 to the 400 and would instantly modernize its appearance with it’s namesake tuned port runners and fuel injection system.

There are now so many options for fuel injection for the small block Chevy on the market. That’s also ignoring the fact that even seeing a tradition first generation small block Chevy is becoming more of a rarity these days. That makes this TPI setup in this custom built 1970s pickup truck a nostalgic charmer.

SEMA 2022 – 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster

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Via Hylton Automotive, this vintage Chevrolet is referred to as “The Every Man’s Build” constructed from a vehicle donation to Hylton High School of Woodbridge, VA in 2019. What can a high school every man construct? No less than a hotrodded, frame-up restoration.

The distinct lime green and white paint scheme draws your eye to what Hylton is calling a work-in-progress. I’m not sure who the brainchild is of this build but their is no denying their taste in building a cool and budget-friendly custom.

The tri-power intake on the original 216 inline 6, feeding an engine that exits through a split-manifold into a planned dual exhaust. With barely more than 200 cubes being fedby three carbs on a log manifold I can assure you it will not be the fastest car at the SEMA show but it makes up for that with loads of charisma.

Hylton mentions their sponsors as well and since these companies are supporting these up-and-comers I feel that we should give kudos to Steele Rubber Products, LKQ, Chevs of the 40s, Tenneco, Advance Auto Parts, Scat, AFR, Spark, Carquest, Safelite, Hot Rodders of Tomorrow, Procar and Coker Tire.

This Chevy embodies the original hot rod ethos and encapsulates a time where you did what you could with what you had. The DIY aesthetic lives on and is created in the hearts, minds and hands of the next generation of builders. Keep building Hylton High.

SEMA 2017: 1968 Chevy Nova AWD

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The Chevrolet Nova was one of the most popular American muscle cars of the 1960s. Produced for 17 years, the Nova came in nearly every body style and had a huge list of engine choices. One thing is for sure: no Novas ever came with all-wheel drive from the factory. We caught up with Parke Bishop of Bishop Built Rides and he talked us through his 1968 Nova custom car with AWD drivetrain.

Congratulations to Bishop Built Rides on winning a Gran Turismo Award at SEMA 2017!

SEMA 2015: 1952 Chevy by Wheels Unlimited Kustom

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1952-chevy-desert-sunset-profileThe SEMA Show is the world’s largest automotive trade show, and it has vehicles and parts to appeal to every type of car enthusiast. Spend a day roaming around the various halls of the Las Vegas Convention center and you will find everything from import performance parts to off-road accessories to autocross and drag racing vendors. One thing that is a bit under-represented at SEMA is Kustom car culture.

The “DIY” mindset of the Kustom car world praises finding and scavenging parts from junkyards, other cars, and above all, custom fabrication. This type of hot rodding is not about ordering crate engines or reproduction parts from a catalog, but about putting in the sweat equity to create something truly original – a car that satisfies the artistic vision of the builder. In a sense, it’s the opposite of these big name companies selling cookie-cutter speed parts to the masses. However, you can still find a few true Kustoms at SEMA if you look hard enough.

In 2014, we featured a wild 1950 Chevrolet “Vanilla Shake” built by Donn Lowe. In 2015, we came across another amazing car, this 1952 Chevrolet called “Desert Sunset,” which was built by none other than Gene Winfield! Continue reading →

SEMA 2015: 1969 Chevrolet K10 Pickup

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1969-k10-pickup-rearFor many people, owning a vehicle is not just a way to get from Point A to Point B – a vehicle is a blank canvas upon which to creatively express yourself. Within the world of custom cars, communities have developed around certain platforms and models. From the ’32 Ford and the ’49 Mercury to modern day platforms like the Subaru WRX and Mazda Miata, custom cars are woven into the fabric of our culture.

One platform that is huge among customizers is the family of GMC and Chevrolet full-size trucks built between 1967 and 1972. With a wide variety of both original and aftermarket parts available, these C/K pickups are an excellent starting point for a custom build.

While walking the show floor at SEMA 2015, I passed by the Doug Thorley Headers booth and saw this 1969 K/10 pickup which belongs to Brad & Sara.

I couldn’t find a lot of details on the truck, but I did notice a newer generation LS engine swapped under the hood along with a color-matched intake manifold and valve covers. The whole thing looked very clean in the engine bay with the smoothed firewall. The truck was equipped with Doug Thorley headers, a Painless wiring harness, and an IDIDIT steering column with Dakota Digital gauges.

This K/10 was laying frame thanks to Airlift Performance parts and Viair compressors. At normal ride height, it handles well thanks to its Specialty Suspension components and QA1 shocks. I’ve got no idea about which wheel and tire combo they went with. It was painted a beautiful metallic blue paint job with House of Kolor paints and a light shade of wood in the bed.

Because of the popularity of these trucks, you will find that no two are alike! Every owner has customized theirs in a unique way. I like what Brad and Sara did with this one – nice job on the cool custom truck!

SEMA 2015: 1955 Chevrolet Nomad ‘Sunmad’

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When it comes to the Tri-Five Chevys of 1955, 56, and 57, most owners fall into one of two groups. You have the cars which are restored to their full original condition, and you have the cars which have been set up for drag racing with a big block, roll cage, rear wheel tubs, and drag slicks. So it was quite unusual to see Ron ad Debbie Pfisterer’s 1955 Nomad at SEMA 2015, because it wasn’t like either of those.

In fact, the car seems to be set up more as a cruiser / pro-touring vehicle, which I’ve not seen done to one of these cars before. The first thing that caught my eye was not the bright orange color, but the directional wheels from a C4 Corvette. Continue reading →