1948 Chevrolet Pickup - Showstopper

All of us are aware what can happen when a committee becomes involved in any multi-task project--especially a ground up build like a classic truck. Well, here's the exception to the rule. This '48 Chevrolet pickup was built to serve as a functioning platform for the GM Powertrain Vortec Brand to show off their latest 2004 L3500 powerplant. This 3.5L inline five-cylinder, yes, five cylinders--is destined as one of many future power sources for General Motors vehicles.

When one thinks of General Motors one can't help but think of an incredibly large corporation where it might be impossible to do something as unusual as a '48 Chevrolet pickup. Apparently not so! Al Alvarez, marketing manager global Vortec engines, wanted to make a statement at trade shows, indoor car shows, outdoor classic truck events, and rod runs that would be the perfect "display" for the Vortec brand engine. Enter Scott Leon, a senior experimental engineer for General Motors assigned to the GM Desert Proving Grounds in Mesa, Arizona, whose assignment it was to make all this happen. (Editor's Note: It should be noted that while you are looking at the final results stay tuned as the coming months will reveal stories on just how this truck came about.)

Scott is a long-time hot rodder and he knew exactly what had to be accomplished and in short order he and Al were on the same page. It's amazing what can be accomplished with ample resources, talent, time, and a good dose of creativity. Scott knew that a '47 through early-'55 Chevy pickup would have the greatest appeal at automotive/truck events across the country and opted to base the project on a '48 Chevy three-window 1/2-ton pickup. But that's just the start. The pickup is a compilation of parts from several early trucks as well as a healthy dose of late-model appointments.

The chassis was the first chore to tackle. Scott rounded up a Chevrolet S-10 shortbed pickup chassis with a 108-inch wheelbase and shortened the front framerails 8 inches. Additional fabrication included the transmission crossmember and the radiator core support and the relocation of body mounts. From here the Vortec inline five-cylinder engine, 4L60E tranny, and a Chevy Blazer rearend gears were fitted. The running platform was built at the GM Desert Proving Grounds in Mesa, Arizona under Scott's watchful eye and with plenty of support from fellow proving ground technicians Charles Lutkenhaus, Dennis Skutecki, and Chris Stubbs.

Other chassis appointments include the use of a ZQ8 23mm rear anti-roll bar and a 33mm front bar, and ZQ8 DeCarbon gas shocks at the corners. The ZQ8 is a Sport Suspension Package for the S-10 disc brakes. In back, a single leaf was removed from the spring pack and a 3/4-inch spacer was added to finish the rear suspension. At the corners are S-10 brakes operated by a '68 Corvette master cylinder, a Camaro prop valve, and an original '48 pedal assembly.

The front suspension is also based on the same donor S-10 but a pair of Bell Tech 2-inch dropped spindles, a pair of four-cylinder front springs, and a quick-ratio power ZQ8 steering box are employed. A Jeep intermediate shaft links the steering box to the Chevy van steering column that's topped off with a 15-inch leather wrapped '57 Corvette wheel. The shift detent on the column was fabricated to reflect the use of an overdrive transmission. All this steering and suspension controls a pair of '96 Vette-style front wheels that measure 16x8 and Vette rear wheels that measure 17x11. The front wheels have a 55mm positive offset with 3-inch adaptors (3 3/4-inch backspace) while the rear wheels have a 35mm positive offset and 2-inch adaptors (5 1/2-inch backspace). There's no mistaking that the exterior of this truck has undergone extensive sheetmetal modifications. Not the least of which is the use of a S-10 stepside bed that was re-skinned and shortened five inches. Note that the running boards have been eliminated while '48 fenders are used on the bed having undergone extensive mods themselves.

As notable a modification to the truck as there is has to be the rear rolled pan that incorporates '61-67 Corvette taillights. When the turn signal function is engaged the lights operate in a sequential fashion. Very cool! The hood was widened and sectioned three inches while the front fenders were also sectioned but this time two and a half inches with new corners. Also in front is another fabricated rolled pan and the five-bar grille has had half an inch of space removed from between each bar. The doors feature one-piece glass while the door handles are '52-55 Chevy.

All of this sheetmetal work (and there is even more we haven't mentioned) was aptly handled by Scott himself and Rob Marchese, Lary Wagner, and Greg Morrell of California Street Rods in Huntington Beach, California, where the truck underwent all of its body and paint work, upholstery and final fit and finish. Greg of CSR painted the truck in PPG Vortec Red.

Speaking of Vortec--note the graphics on the tailgate. Okay, we understand why the name Vortec appears; it's a clever reference to the truck's powerplant. But the style of letters is taken from the same style as the name "Chevrolet" as it appeared on the tailgate in '48. Now, that's cool.

The interior is based on a stock dash that has custom gauges with old-style faces refinished to hide the modern innards. They now reflect the more aggressive speedometer and the four-pack engine monitoring gauges. A custom face was also made for the 7,000-rpm tach. The bench seat was made from two '89 S-10 seats put together in a fashion that yielded one seat four inches wider than stock. It was then covered in '57 Corvette factory Shoreline Beige material. Nick Perich of California Street Rods performed the stitchwork that included the Corvette-style door panels as well.

There's a lot more we could write about and in time you will eventually get the "rest of the story" on the pages of Classic Trucks. For now, however, take a look at this beauty and wish it were yours--we do! Maybe we will get the opportunity to bring it to some events this summer?

The gauges are a mixture of...        read full caption The gauges are a mixture of custom inner workings while the faces are stock in their appearance but re-lettered to handle their modern application. The dash is an original steel unit.

The front grille still sports...        read full caption The front grille still sports five bars but half an inch of space was removed between each bar giving it a "lower" look. Note there is a custom front rolled pan as well.

The powerplant is the new...        read full caption The powerplant is the new Vortec 3500 (3.5L) inline five-cylinder engine mated to a 4L60E tranny. Note the air cleaner, a bit of nostalgia with a '48 Chevy oil bath modified to accept a paper element.

The headlights are '48 Chevy...        read full caption The headlights are '48 Chevy pickup with halogen lamps while the parking lights are '51 GMC.

Corvette '61-67 taillights...        read full caption Corvette '61-67 taillights with '63-67 Vette park light bezels are mounted in the custom rolled pan and are set up to operate sequentially.

The interior is Corvette in...        read full caption The interior is Corvette in its appearance using a Vette steering wheel and '57 Vette material in Shoreline Beige to cover an S-10 seat widened four inches.

The door panels are reminiscent...        read full caption The door panels are reminiscent of a first generation Vette in its appearance and use of early Vette material.

The three-point seat belts...        read full caption The three-point seat belts are from a '02 S-10 and fitted to the early cab. Note the Delco speaker that's mounted in a box just behind the seat back on the floor.