Wowee! Jeremy Bach's Reality Rodshop creation isn't anything like an exact reproduction of a '34 Dodge pickup. It's more like the fantasies of a custom builder who has future design aspirations, but who also has a reverence for the designs of the past. No doubt this black '34 Dodge is long, low, and collects admiring looks like a Victoria Secret lingerie model.
We met 20-year-old Jeremy Bach at Louisville during the 2004 NSRA Nationals in the Pros Pick area, where his radical Dodge pickup was gathering a crowd of interested spectators. Our first guess was that we were looking at a much-modified steel truck from a well-respected professional builder. We were wrong about the steel part, but the overall quality of the Dodge pickup proved that it was well constructed and full of thoughtful details. We learned later that Jeremy's dad Mike, his auto bodyshop employees, and some friends from the Southern Illinois Street Rod Association were a big help.
The project began as a dream rod rendering and soon thereafter became an overwhelming desire to see the design as a reality. Starting with what was left of an original steel cab, the idea was to lengthen the doors and chop the top. But that idea took a turn toward a more buildable cab when the Bachs decided to create their own extended fiberglass cab, fenders, and custom frame. They also channeled the floor of the cab 2 inches and constructed the custom bed with a tonneau.
The extended cab, hood, and hand-cut framerails have lengthened the wheelbase to 124 inches for an improved ride. The ride is further improved by a Heidt's IFS with Air Ride adjustable shockwear and a parallel four-link rear-suspended Winters Performance IRS on a fully boxed/stepped chassis.
One look at the plush interior confirms the fact that the inside looks as good as the outside. Jeremy fabricated a custom wraparound dash, mounting Dakota Digital instruments in the center, new door panels, and a console that extends to the modified Camaro bucket seats. Controls for an Alpine head unit/amp with an Infinity Kappa subwoofer and Boston Acoustic speakers are located below the passenger seat. The stereo was installed with the help of Dave Yuskus. Bill at SS Interiors in Harrison, Missouri, covered the modified bucket seats and interior panels in saddle tan, or if you prefer, caramel-colored Ultraleather.
As impressed as we were, judges at several summer events were equally impressed, awarding Best Mopar at the Evansville, Indiana Frog Follies, a Boyd's Pros Pick, and a Mopar Country selection at the NSRA Nationals. Talking to Jeremy several months after his experience at Louisville, Kentucky, he's encouraged by all the interest and awards his Dodge pickup received. Soon there may even be limited-edition pickup clones emerging from the original body molds.
Our impression of 20-year-old Jeremy was that he's an intelligent and amiable young man with a good deal of drive in the field of custom-crafted vehicles. With some hard work, dedication, good fortune, and loyal customers, we may be looking at one leading member of the next wave of custom car/truck builders from the Midwest. We look forward to seeing what his Reality Rodshop in Belleville, Illinois, will do next.
This is Jeremy's rendering...
This is Jeremy's rendering that inspired the Bachs to create their decidedly different Dodge closed-cab pickup in 'glass.
We're pleased that the Dodge...
We're pleased that the Dodge was painted in black by Kevin Thompson to show the high quality of the body finish. Of course when your dad owns and operates a body shop, the surfaces must be excellent.
An over-400hp Mopar Performance...
An over-400hp Mopar Performance 360ci V-8 flows air in through an Edelbrock 750-cfm carburetor and out through Street & Performance tubular headers and Magnaflow mufflers.
Obviously, the proportions...
Obviously, the proportions of the pickup have been lengthened at the cab doors, the hood, the running boards, and the bed. Although the bed is not lengthened significantly, it has been treated to a more modern tailgate and roll pan.
Modified Camaro seats were...
Modified Camaro seats were covered in caramel-colored Ultraleather compliments of Bill at SS Interiors in Harrisonville, Missouri.
The dash was also custom-fabricated...
The dash was also custom-fabricated to wrap around through the doors.
A Billet Specialties steering...
A Billet Specialties steering wheel mounts to a polished ididit steering column in front of Dakota Digital instruments. Note the custom dash and console.
At first look, the Dodge grille...
At first look, the Dodge grille shell emblem appears to be authentic. Upon closer inspection, one discovers it's a cleverly rendered imitation of the ornate Dodge Brothers hood emblem of the mid '30s.
Anyone wish to see the same...
Anyone wish to see the same vintage Dodge in a coupe or convertible version need merely to ask. Jeremy has a strong interest in design and styling that he will put to work for potential customers.
The chrome headlights are...
The chrome headlights are motorcycle items called Tradewinds from Headwinds Motorcycle headlights, while the rears are '37 Ford units.