CORNER THRASHER
An Autocross Truck Like No Other
THERE ARE lots of different types of builds out there, and we here at Street Trucks have seen them all. From bagged and bodied to skied, there’s a wide variety of custom trucks on the scene. But one branch that arguably doesn’t get enough attention are those that perform. They’re workhorses, just like the trucks were back in their heyday, but now in a different fashion. They’re tweaked and tuned for the track, plus they’re an absolute blast to drive. This ’65 C10 owned by Duke Roddy of Gonzales, Louisiana, falls into that latter category. And boy does it ever.
The truck is, at its core, one of the first of the C10 era, a
’65 Chevrolet. But really, it’s just a wrapper, because the rest of the truck is tailor made to take on the track. It starts with the chassis, because the stock Chevy model is way too flimsy to put up with Duke’s demands. Instead, Cale Kern built something that would handle the roads perfectly.
It’s a custom tube chassis that sets the truck on a Ridetech coilover suspension for excellent performance. The Wilwood brakes front and rear get a workout throughout any session, while the Forgeline wheels and BF Goodrich tires hug the corners. It’s a nice, tight setup that’s all about terrorizing the twisties.
Of course, one needs a decent powertrain to get going on any track, and Duke didn’t cut any corners there, either. In this case we’re talking about a 6.2l LS engine from 2010 paired with a 2018 Jerico 4-speed trans.
You could make the argument that would be enough for most folks, but Duke? Not so much. He mounted a 2.9l Whipple supercharger on the top and continued modifying the engine from the top down. Everything from the connecting rods to the camshaft and exhaust were all made to put a smile on Duke’s face. It’s even got custom-built headers that run to a 3-inch exhaust that exits out the back end. Point is, this is a quick little truck, and it’s a ton of fun, too.
If you thought that was paint on the ‘65 you would’ve been wrong. No, it’s a wrap done by PG NOLA, and it’s sharp. The black/orange/ green pattern, broken up with a crazy camouflage-esque look, gives the truck a lower appearance even though it hugs the ground just fine, thank you.
Trucks like Duke’s don’t come along every day. It’s a full- blown race ride that could pull up at a cars and coffee event and turn a lot of heads, or even take home a trophy or two at a show.
Out back there’s an aluminum wing to keep the rear tires planted and the tonneau has a Tyrannosaurus Rex integrated into the design as a fun little Easter egg for Duke’s grandkids.
Now is there a lot to talk about with the inside of the truck? Not really. That’s because this is, as has been mentioned before, a purpose-built vehicle. The seats are made to keep Duke planted firmly in the corners. The gauges feed him information as the truck goes blasting through the track, and the panel of switches in the dash give him control of the engine and accessories. Other than that, there’s not much there. After all, you’ve got to keep your curb weight down.
Trucks like Duke’s don’t come along every day. It’s a full-blown race ride that could pull up at a cars and co ee event and turn a lot of heads, or even take home a trophy or two at a show. And its rarity in the scene makes it that much more special. And Duke’s build is very, very special.