Thanks to the implementation of Fatman Fabrications front and rear suspension systems and the utilization of 2-inch drop spindles, Barbara's Chevy 1/2-ton has the perfect street-truck stance. Billet Specialties Octane rolling stock wrapped with BFGoodrich Radial T/A rubber are 16x7s in the front and 17x10s in the rear.
A good way to be (and stay) happily married is to do what your wife wishes. Chores like taking out the trash and gardening may not be very appealing, but someone has to do 'em. On the other hand, if your spouse wanted you to build her a vintage custom pickup, you'd do it, right? Any red-blooded gearhead would jump to grant such a wish. However, Wayne Moore has motor oil mixed into his red blood, so he built an award-winning '48 Chevy truck for his wife Barbara that has collected a great deal of attention.
But we're getting way ahead of ourselves. Not long after Barbara asked Wayne to build a vintage truck, he found and bought a '48 Chevy 1/2-ton and took it completely apart. Wayne figured she couldn't change her mind if it were in pieces. He boxed the framerails and replaced the original front axle with a Fatman Fabrications IFS with Heidt's Hot Rod Shop upper and lower control arms. For the rearend, Wayne sourced a Chevy Nova 10-bolt differential with 3.31:1 gears and suspended it with a Fatman Fabrications four-link. To halt the hauler most hastily, Engineered Components ventilated disc brakes were installed at both ends.
Although we're not superstitious, perhaps doing what your wife wishes may bring you good luck. For example, Wayne won the engine that now propels the pickup at a show 'n' shine in their home state of Kentucky. Before installing the GM 350ci V-8 in the renewed chassis, he replaced the camshaft with a mild lope street camshaft. B&M Racing and Performance Products supplied the trans cooler and 2,500-stall converter for the 350 transmission. Wayne enhanced it further by installing a '92 Cadillac SLS shifter.
Moving his talents to the Chevy's exterior, Wayne convinced his buddy Tom Morgan to help with the pre-paint bodywork. They switched the door hinges, shortened the bed 5 inches, and welded on a custom rear roll pan. Curving the front of the bed all around the back of the cab for a 1-inch gap involved a bunch of time to get it right, as did slanting the windshield opening 1 3/4 inches to rake the front glass. Using a BMW hood hinge, Wayne crafted a tilt-open hood, earning the moniker of "The Modifier" from his buddies. After the final paint prep, Tom wielded the spray gun and lavished all the exterior panels with PPG Orange Glow, Cinnamon Candy, and clear topcoats.
With the truck's underbelly, powertrain, and topside set to rights, Wayne wired the Chevy with an EZ Wiring harness. Auto Meter instruments went into the dashboard, as did the Vintage Air HVAC registers. Since the Moores wanted a luxuriously appointed cockpit, they selected Langdon Custom Interiors of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to trim the interior.
The project took Wayne 3 1/2 years to build. Since the Chevy's completion, they've participated in street rod and truck shows in at least seven different Northeastern, Midwestern, and Southeastern states, as well as numerous local shows. Considering they drive the pickup to every event and have won many trophies, we'd guess Wayne fulfilled his wife's wishes rather well. We suspect the wives and girlfriends of more vintage truck owners will make a similar request-if they should see a copy of this issue.