Fancy terms often do nothing more than confuse. While in many instances, words like "nostalgia" and "contemporary" do justice in identifying a distinct build style, other catch words just make matters worse. However, in today's world of classic trucks, there is new terminology on the block that serves as perfect description for a style of truck that seems to be growing more and more popular. A "rodstoration" or even "rodstored" pickup is what we're talking about, and though the terms may not be familiar to some of you, the style definitely has to be. Take Rick Parsons' '68 Chevy C-10 as a perfect example.
Much like a resto-rod in the street rod genre or a resto-mod found in the later-model circles, rodstoration pickups are clearly in high contrast to the full-custom pickups and even the stockers. Not simply a restored truck with a set of wheels, which is very common as well, rodstored haulers go the extra mile, with the addition of modern braking and suspension components and a little more oomph under the hood. Parsons' gold-on-white C-10 short-fleet is just that, and goes even further with a nicely modernized interior, too.
In the course of just over two years, the Ohioan trucker transformed a decent-looking Fleetside into the beauty you see here...but it wasn't all downhill. When first spotted-at his pal Gary's car sales lot-Rick didn't jump at the offer quickly enough, and it disappeared. The '68 did manage to make its way back to the lot, but was sold again just as fast. On the fourth round, Rick wasted no time jumping to the head of the line to get his hands on the pink slip. What he'd originally intended on being possibly just a driver, each little "fix it" eventually turned into a full restoration...yes, a rodstoration! In the process, the truck was given a whole new outlook on life. Starting with the chassis, much of the stock equipment was used, but the addition of BellTech dropped spindles and a CoolRide kit from Air Ride Technologies reverse the sky-high syndrome. To stop the truck a lot better, Rick swiped a set of disc brakes off the front of a '74 1/2-ton and 10-inch discs from a donor Cadillac for the narrowed Moser 12-bolt. Taking place of the old 327/three-speed combo is a refreshed 355 Chevy small-block with a Muncie four-gear in tow, making for a racey little pickup.
On the exterior, it's no secret that's where the restoration portion of the moniker comes into play. From stem to stern, the C-10 is just as General Motors intended decades prior...albeit a heck of a lot nicer! The white between the lines is an OE color; the gold, however, is borrowed from the '00 BMW color charts, and works perfectly. Along with all the proper chrome and polish, Rick added 18- and 20-inch American Torq-Thrusts with BFGoodrich 40-series T/As for the appropriate hot rod feel. The interior, on the other hand, is all but resto. From the Covan's Classic dashpanel with Auto Meter Ultra-Lite gauges to the Ultra leather-covered Fiero buckets, no C-10 was ever meant to be this comfortable-or cool-in the '60s or '70s, that's for sure. A Pioneer sound system, digital Air Ride controls, and a cooling unit from Hot Rod Air round out the Chevy's updated interior.
OK, so maybe we pushed this "rodstored" thing on you. It fits, though, doesn't it? Regardless, Rick Parson's pickup isn't a stocker, and it sure isn't a full custom, either. What it is, is one cool C-10-period.