FINDERS KEEPERS
Taken in on Trade, this Cool Custom C10 is a Keeper
FOR MOST enthusiasts, creating a custom truck is a special event, something that might only happen a few times during a lifetime. Building one of your own often takes years to complete, but it’s generally followed by years of enjoyment. When you’re in the automotive repair and restoration business, however, sometimes good things happen with surprising regularity. John Orbe owns Laidback Garage and Customs in Middleburg, Florida, specializing in auto repair and restoration. John builds his own custom rods, estimating that he’s created more than 120 vehicles in the last 25 years.
Every now and then however, when he finds a high-quality vehicle, he uses a di erent approach.
“I’m picky about what I take in on trade,” he told us.
But the build quality of this 1969 Chevrolet C10 Stepside easily passed his test and was part of a deal for one of his hot rods. Details about the original builder were lost somewhere along the way so John did his own inspections, verifying that the engineering was as solid as the truck’s distinctive styling.
A quick look underneath disclosed the stock chassis had been outfitted with a full air ride suspension, using factory upper and lower control arms up front along with a four-link holding a Ride Tech 10-bolt rear. The 3.73 gears were the right blend of performance and economy. The truck was fitted with a combination of coil springs and air bags to stabilize the ride while four-wheel disc brakes ensured modern stopping power. The C10 rolls on 20-inch Billet Specialties rims with Falken ZR20 rubber. Once he determined that the truck had a firm foundation, those eye-candy cosmetics were next on the list.
The Lexus New Bronze base coat/clear coat paint gets your attention first as you begin to examine the long list of modifications. Up front, the grille is accented with billet inserts creating a sleek collection of horizontal lines that emphasize the width of the truck. A steel 2-inch cowl induction hood hints at the aggressive power plant underneath, and new chrome bumpers were added front and rear. One of the most extreme mods was the 4-inch top chop that significantly improves the truck’s profile. The original builder followed up by eliminating the drip rails, then suiciding the doors. Moving to the rear, the smooth tailgate was fitted with an oversized Chevrolet Bowtie, subtle taillights were added to the widened Stepside rear fenders, and the Oak planks in the bed were tinted with a shade to match the bronze exterior.
Motive power was next on the list. Since
John’s never been a fan of anemic power plants, you can imagine his pleasant surprise when he read the Dyno sheet that came with the 383 Stroker in the truck. When you mash the Mr. Hyde pedal, the weapons-grade power plant puts an impressive 540 tire-frying, drive shaft-warping
horsepower at your disposal, thanks to the upgraded rotating assemblies, Holley Ram Jet fuel injection, Edelbrock aluminum heads, ceramic headers and free-flowing twin pipes. The truck’s tail-wagging power is held in check only by the driver’s self-preservation instincts. As much fun on the autocross as the interstate, the C10 uses an upgraded 700R4 to multiply the power.
The final inspection e ort moved inside, noting that the color-matched interior was fitted with a pair of plush bucket seats and center armrest, stitched in harmonizing shades of bronze suede and leather. Door panels, carpet and the upholstered panel behind the seats used variations of the same shades. The painted-tomatch dash was smoothed and then outfitted with a comprehensive collection of Haneline white-face, analog gauges, monitoring the underhood activity as well as the air suspension. An Ididit column holds a Billet Specialties wheel and Vintage Air keeps the occupants cool with multiple chrome vents in the dash. The stereo was another wonderful surprise. Although kidney-massaging bass and rave dance floor levels were not the goal, John does enjoy crystal clear sounds and certainly wanted more than wimpy factory highs and anemic bass. Touch the button and the JVC KD
DV4200 multimedia DVD/CD receiver fills the cab with music, sending signal to a speaker mix that includes JVC 6.5-inch component sets in the kick panels, another pair behind the seats and a final pair of JVC 8-inch mid bass speakers that add impact and realism. Concert hall sounds make the Chevy a perfect road trip ride.
As you can imagine, with an impressive inventory of upgrades like this, John had no hesitation about taking this cool custom classic in on trade. Although he loves creating his own, he was thrilled with the opportunity to find such a high-quality build to add to his collection.
“When you see something as nice as this one, you can’t pass it up,” he says with a smile.
It’s certain that this will be a truck he can enjoy for years to come.