Stude-Pendous
We dig Chevys here at CLASSIC TRUCKS, but lately that's all we've seen in the mailbag. Heck, we had to steal this photo of Frank Calabro's cool '50 Studebaker from our buddies over at Popular Hot Rodding! But it was worth the transgression to show you this nostalgic yellow cruiser from Amityville, New York. Powered by a strong Mopar 360, the Stude has a look we like-wide whites, Moon discs, white rolls and pleats on the seat, and a white tonneau cover. Dual Smithy's glasspacks back up the sight with appropriate sounds, and Frank says that future plans call for frenched '59 Cadillac taillights and a stainless dash panel with Moon gauges. Sounds cool to us!
Stretching The Truth
Chevrolet never made an extended-cab pickup in 1971, but you'd never know that looking at Harry Philipenko's creation out of Susanville, California. The 4x4 truck's frame has been stretched 19 inches, in addition to being lifted 4 inches with a Skyjacker kit. The cab is stretched a like amount, with quarter windows added for that factory look. Powered by a built 350 and equipped with accessories ranging from power windows to keyless entry to a Kenwood/Polk stereo system, the Laser Red beauty has a great combination of style and substance. And best of all, Harry did most of the work himself.
One For The Ladies
Who says that guys are the only ones who can have fun with old trucks? Not Michelle Maynard. This Fallbrook, California, resident is the "proud owner of a big, beautiful '72 Chevy Suburban 3/4-ton." The surly SUV is currently powered by a small-block crate engine, but get this-Michelle is taking an engine class in school so she can rebuild a 396ci big-block for her baby! A new paint job is also in the works, and Michelle says that she'd like to sew her own custom interior. Until then you'll catch her crusin' this cool Sub' and-you guessed it-having fun!
Whistlin' Dixie
Orlando, Florida's Bill Hill wrote to tell us about his '68 F-100, a truck known as "Dixie" to Bill and his friends. Purchased in 1999 for $750, the old Ford had seen better days. "It ran," Bill says, "and that was about it. The years had taken their toll." But as a detailer at Roberts Paint & Body, Bill had access to all the right tools and professional help, so before long the longbed was wearing a new coat of custom blue and pearl white paint. It was also upgraded with a custom interior, chrome wheels, a tonneau cover, and headers for the stock 390 engine. Bill says that Dixie is "about 80 percent complete," but we're willing to bet that she's already turning heads.
Passing The Torch
If there's one thing we really like about the old truck world, it's the fact that many pickups are handed down from generation to generation. William Ellsworth IV now holds the title to this '67 Chevy stepside, but it was originally purchased new by his grandfather (William Ellsworth II), before being passed on to his father, and eventually to him. With 198,000 miles on the clock, William IV decided to ditch the six-cylinder and three-speed combo in favor of a 350 and automatic. Then he sprang for some bodywork (cowl-induction hood, rolled pan, etc.), a new bright-blue paint job, and custom rolling stock. Now the Chevy is ready for serious cruising-and will probably be passed down for several more generations.
Commercial Cruiser
With the exception of a few details-like a Chevy V-6, Wescott's rear fenders, and some paint freshening-Steve and Maggie Turner's '32 Ford from Elliot City, Maryland, is pretty much "as it was" back in the good ol' days. The lettering on the door is the same from when the truck was used in the early '60s to haul and sell tires (sometimes at local dragstrips). When the Flathead gave out in 1967, the '32 was warehoused until 1993. Steve and Maggie ended up purchasing it and have been fiddling with it the last three years. The couple ended their letter by saying; "It's hot in summer, cold in winter, cramped, noisy with squeaks and rattles, and runs great. What more could you ask for?" Exactly!
Alluring Apache
Rich Schultz, of Anoka, Minnesota, tells us that he always wanted an older pickup, and his wish was granted when he stumbled across this '59 Chevy Apache. And boy did he luck out, as the old Chevy was an unrestored, all-original beauty with low miles on the clock. "It did need some work after 40-plus years," Rich reports, "but now it has new life with 73,000 original miles and the original Galaway Green color." Looks to us like this beauty is ready for another 40-plus years of fun cruisin'.
Black Beauty
California's mild climate makes it the perfect place to drive a classic truck every day, and that's just what Grass Valley's Chuck Bardo does with his black '70 Chevy 3/4-ton longbed. The old Bow Tie is powered by a 350 crate engine backed by a TH350 and a 10-bolt rearend, and looks great thanks to moderate lowering and aftermarket wheels. "It passes everything but a gas station," Chuck jokes. "Now if I can just get my '54 five-window Chevy looking and running as nice, I'll have my dream ride."