There's nothing better than getting to see a unique project from behind the veiled curtain of the buildup. Unlike spoiling the plot, revealing some of the intricacies involved oftentimes piques interest in seeing the finished product, not to mention pointing out little tricks and whatnot that sometimes go unnoticed when all's said and done. As promised last month, here's a little sample tasting of a project now underway in the great Pacific Northwest--Auburn, Washington, that is.
Jon Byers and the crew at Byers Custom & Restoration are nearing completion of the shop's own set of wheels, a custom '55 Chevy Suburban--or "Surf-Burban" as we like to call it. Just in case you didn't catch the preview in the June issue with the Eric Brockmeyer rendering, we took the pleasure of running it once again. And as it stands now, the only real deviance from that original artwork is the elimination of the lower branch of flames (only the beltline stretch will remain), giving the truck a sleeker look overall. You'll all have to wait till later this summer to find out for real--stay tuned!
For more info in the meantime, you can visit online at www.byerscustoms.com to see what else the guys are customizin' and restorin'.
They say "Image is Everything." In this case, chassis is everything! Obtaining a ride quality that is equivalent to a new Vette, as well as the lowest possible stance, isn't the easiest thing to do--that is, unless you contact Art Morrison Enterprises. After acquiring their Profile Air Spring Plus perimeter frames, Byers had Wicked Fabrication (also in Auburn, WA) put it all together. | 
A healthy kick was necessary out back to allow the four-linked 9-inch to settle down nicely when the air is released. With Morrison, seamless bends like this are no problem, which makes its framerails even more desirable. | 
Hanging out behind the rear, Wicked hung the sleeve-type Firestone airbags along with an adjustable antisway bar in tow. That device, on top of the third member, is actually the Watts Linkage, which was relocated due to airbag clearance issues. But from the looks of it, it will perform just as good, if not better, keeping the rear centered. |
Moving forward, we see the artistic stainless steel plumbing work. Made For You frame tabs and through-the-rail access ports make for a super-clean look. | 
The engine? Oh, it's just your ordinary 468ci big-block backed by a 700-R4 overdrive. OK, so maybe a potent Rat such as this isn't your average run-of-the-mill fare, especially with detailing like this one. The valve covers will nicely emulate the exterior graphics still to come. | 
The fuel tank wasn't an issue with the Morrison chassis--Byers just hung the sheetmetal tanks saddle-style off the right side, as shown. |
Of course, a chassis doesn't fully serve its purpose without the accompanying body... | 
...At this point in build process, the chop on the '55 Suburban had been completed, along with a majority of the bodywork...but there was still plenty that lay ahead. | 
The model-building process progressed a bit more over time; with the suspension back in place, 18- and 20-inch wheels were thrown on for good "measure." As you can see, so were a stock grille and front bumper, among other things. Looking good so far, huh? |
The previous chassis shots were taken afterward, but this shot shows how the new rear floor structure came to be. Obviously, the stock wood wouldn't cut it. | 
Owner Jon Byers even enlisted the help of his youngest son, Kyle, shown here welding rear floor bracing in place. Gotta start 'em young, right? | 
All said and done, this is what the rear section of the Suburban looked like with the new substructure. |