1956 GMC Panel Truck - Next In Line

Some folks are happy just to finish a hot rod project and go cruising. For others, the real thrill is in the construction process. Count Randy Haapala into the latter group.

It's not enough that Randy spends his days running The Body Palace in Huntington Beach, California. He's also got a fully equipped "hobby shop" at home, and you'll rarely find him without a welder, grinder, or longboard in his hands. And when he's not busy cranking out top-notch personal projects, it seems like he's on the lookout for another car or truck to tear apart and rebuild.

In typical fashion, some projects have a way of finding Randy before he's even ready for them. That was the case with this '56 GMC panel. Randy had just finished a custom GMC Suburban (you may remember it from our April 2000 cover) when Steve Early approached him about buying it. It seems Steve had commissioned GMT Quality Metalwork & Fabrication (also in Huntington Beach) to build the panel, but felt it would be cheaper in the long run to buy Randy's Sub. Randy was game for another challenge, so a swap was made and he took home the Jimmy (along with a pocketful of cash).

Randy's task was made a little easier since GMT already had the custom frame planned out and mocked together. He took the ball and ran with it, finishing a chassis that looks as nice as it rides thanks to a polished TCI IFS with air springs and a Dutchman independent rearend suspended with Air Ride ShockWaves. To keep things consistent, the '95 LT1 engine was also bathed in brightwork before being hooked up to a 4L60 transmission and lowered between the rails. The balance of function and style was complete when the Intro wheels and BFGoodrich rubber got the chassis rolling.

Lessons learned in building the Suburban served Randy well with the panel. For instance, he already knew that sectioning the longroof's crown would remove excess visual weight, so he had Steve Malachick slice out a few inches above the driprails. Steve also built the rolled rear pan before Randy went to town finessing the big body with a pie-cut '55 Chevy hood, frenched headlights and taillights, smooth firewall, and rounded door corners. The only remaining chrome is the shaved front bumper and grille, which is accented with a custom aluminum insert. When the body was void of all wrinkles and ripples, Randy had The Body Palace crew spray the PPG silver and House of Kolor Sherwood Green Pearl. Bob Iverson laid down the orange stripe that sets apart the striking two-tone hues.

Filling the cavernous cabin of a big panel like this is not a job for the faint of heart. But then again, Gabe Lopez is not your average upholstery guy. From the Honda seats to the sculpted cargo area, he stitched up a high-style interior using two-tone gray tweed with leather accents. A pair of Vintage Air units keeps out the desert heat, while sound is provided by a Clarion stereo with Rockford-Fosgate amps and a bunch of Diamond speakers. Dakota Digital gauges, a Flaming River column, and an Intro wheel finish off the package.

Some people like building, other people like cruising. Randy does plenty of both, and we're sure he'll be having a ball in this panel until the next project comes along.