"What we wanted was a simple shop truck. What we ended up with was a full-tilt custom truck buildup, after television crews from The Learning Channel became involved with the project," says Justin Padfield, owner of Scott's Hotrods 'N Customs. With cameras rolling off and on during a 90-day period, the crew at Scotts took the '55 Chevy truck (Justin had traded a 700-R4 transmission for it) and whittled, molded, and sculpted every panel from front to rear, inside and out.
They didn't just whittle, however, they created a sculptured street truck that has every photographer in the publishing industry begging for permission to photograph this redheaded roadster, and judges at every event are admiring and praising the truck's unique looks and quality construction.
A Magnuson supercharger with...
A Magnuson supercharger with an intake manifold and a Superchips ignition feed the LS1 a high-performance air/fuel mixture and electronic charge.
Shortly after returning from the 2004 Detroit Autorama Auto Show, where Best Truck and Best Radical Truck honors were bestowed on this trick topless Tri-Five, Blackie Gejeian extended an invitation to his exclusive Fresno Autorama Show, where only the best rods and customs were selected to appear. More shows are planned for this summer as well, and it won't be long before Scott's Heavy Metal 1 becomes a household name.
In-house construction details include stock framerails with all custom crossmembers that include a 'bagged Scott's SuperSlam IFS, a Speedway Engineering quick-change rearend with 'bags, and Wilwood cross-ventilated disc brakes and six-piston calipers at the corners. Also at the corners is a unique set of Colorado Custom billet wheels, 18x8-inch fronts and 20x12-inch rears. Rolling stock includes a set of P245/40ZR18 Falken high-performance squeals up front and P305/50ZR20s at the rear.
The all-steel dash is a custom...
The all-steel dash is a custom creation with a '50s flair that flows into the center console. What isn't painted is upholstered with tan leather and tan simulated alligator skin by Jessie's Upholstery in Ventura, California. The seats' frames are cut down to match the back wall of the cab.
Scott's crewman, Mike Riggney,...
Scott's crewman, Mike Riggney, wired Classic Instruments analogue gauges through an American Autowire panel. A custom stereo provides cruisin' tunes.
A Billet Specialties steering...
A Billet Specialties steering wheel was half-wrapped with simulated alligator skin and mounted on an ididit column-shift polished billet steering column. The controls and gauges for the air suspension were mounted in the custom center console. All the painted interior panels were fabricated from sheet steel.
The crew at Scott's created...
The crew at Scott's created the custom bed, starting with cold-rolled steel tubing. The deep inner fender panels allow for 12-inch-wide, 20-inch-diameter Billet Specialties rollers. The fuel filler feeds a rear-mounted stainless steel tank.
A narrowed Speedway Engineering...
A narrowed Speedway Engineering quick-change rearend was mounted with a 'bagged Scott's four-bar with billet rod ends
The widened rear fenders were...
The widened rear fenders were molded to the bedsides, and the running boards were modified. No exterior handles or fasteners are visible.