A Memorial Build for ‘Big Scott’ Childress
IT’S NEVER EASY TO LOSE A LOVED ONE. But the grief can inspire great things, especially when a group of friends comes together to honor the person in a meaningful way. And that’s exactly what happened with this 1994 Chevy S10. “Big Scott” Childress started on this project build years ago. He passed away before he could finish it, so his family and No Regrets club members finished it—and then some.
“This build was in process on a body drop when Scott passed away,” says friend Shawn Kilgre. “After that, it went in a whole different way! We built the truck Scott wanted but couldn’t afford. This is a collaboration of family and club members and ideas that Scott wanted to do!”
Currently owned by Scott’s sister, Alicia Childress of Snellville, Georgia, this PPG Baby Blue Satin Chevy with Big Flake on the roof and bed makes a statement as it rolls down the road. Nathan Coker of Coker’s Rod Shop laid down the paint and pinstriping, which includes Big Scott’s tattoo on the front and tailgate.
This S10 sports a GMC Envoy grille, Grant full size bumpers cut down to fit, custom front and rear wheel tubs, and a Grant roll pan. Under the hood, the truck has a GM Crate V-8 350 engine supplied by Hendrick Chevy, vintage finned valve covers and a custom-made radiator. Baby Blue’s transmission is a 350 turbo supplied by Hendrick Chevy. It includes a Lokar shifter and a custom-made driveshaft.
The chassis is a full custom
frame with Slam Specialties airbags front and rear and chrome front and rear shocks, all supplied by Low Rider Depot. The frame mods were started by Chris Collins at Collin’s Werks in Alabama and finished by Eric at the Little Shop of Horrors in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Chassis mods also include custom-made upper and lower control arms in the front and rear, and a custom firewall. It all rides on a quartet of 22-inch Lexani tires that wrap around 22x9 Center Line Smoothies chrome wheels.
“The most unique feature of the truck is that it’s body-dropped on 22s with a stock hood and independent rear setup,” Shawn says.
Inside the cab, designers from Big Body’s Interior in Tennessee used the Mexican blanket from Scott’s bed to accent the leather Chevy First-gen bench seat.
They also added custom carpet and a suede headliner, along with “In Loving Memory of Big Scott Childress” scripted on the glovebox. The dash is from a 1959 Impala with working gauges and switches. And that steering wheel! It’s a hunk of custom cut billet featuring Big Scott’s tattoo, and it was donated by club members.
It’s a special vehicle that Scott’s friends know he’d love.
“The only thing we’d change is having Big Scott here to enjoy it,” Shawn says. “We miss our brother, and he’d be stocked to see it finished after all these years.”