Four-Eye Jimmy
Hanford, California, is home to Francis "Square" Matos' rare and subtle '58 GMC big-window Stepside pickup. Square bought the one-owner hauler about 15 years ago along with a '77 Camaro parts car for the front clip, 350/350 powertrain, and brakes. The engine now features a Holley carburetor and manifold that Square won at the 1991 NSRA Nationals. Sanderson Headers, Flowmaster mufflers, Chevy Rally wheels, and several gallons of Harley-Davidson French Vanilla enamel wrap-up this weekly driver. The Jimmy shares space with an equally well-constructed Ford V-6-powered Model A roadster pickup.
Up-North Jimmy
Another owner-built GMC is this '68 Stepside that started life as a mint green backyard find for Martin Cleroux of Aylmer, Quebec, Canada. About 1999, Martin pulled out the six-cylinder boat anchor and three-speed trans. In went a 350ci Chevy V-8 and a Turbo 350 transmission to give new life to the vintage hauler. Drop spindles and power disc brakes added safety and drivability to the truck. Light yellow paint with white on the top made a great improvement in the looks department. The late-'60s Chevy/GMC trucks have become a fan favorite with vintage truck owners for good reason.
Harvest This!
We love seeing clean home-built project trucks that exhibit the owners' vision, imagination, and sense of purpose. Richard Hopes of Broadalbin, New York, found a lonely looking '51 International Harvester R-100 pickup about three years ago. He didn't stop working on it until "Harvey" was finished. A Camaro Z28 front clip provides ventilated disc brakes, and a Monte Carlo box provides power steering. A late-model Chevy V-8 and Turbo 350 trans give Harvey plenty of scoot to boot. Inside, Richard used a modern Dodge Dakota bench seat to provide cruising comfort in his metallic blue driver.
SoCal '46
Alfred Carr cruises Santa Ana, California, in his show-ready '46 Ford pickup. The slammed-to-the-pavement hauler is powered by a reliable Chevy small-block and also has four-wheel disc brakes. Other details include a Lincoln Versailles rearend, frenched headlights and taillights, and chrome spoke wheels. When it's not laying frame on Main Street, Al's vintage hauler serves as a rolling billboard for a local Santa Ana hair-trimming emporium called Duke's Barber Shop.
Vintage Hatchback
CCT readers seem to have built a wide variety of F-1 trucks. But "Jukebox" shows a rare creativity. Owner Tom Watcon of Sarasota, Florida, relates that this truck looked like one of CCT's the END? photos when he found it 15 years ago. A '75 Monte Carlo provided the F-1 with a new subframe that included disc brakes, power steering, and a powerful drivetrain. The owner-painted two-tone paint scheme features vertical Cadillac taillights, suicide doors, and a lift-type rear hatch removed from a Pontiac Sunbird (finally, a good use for a Pontiac Sunbird - Ed).
Editor's Note: Getting your truck into Readers' Trucks is a snap, of the camera, that is. All it takes is a couple of good-quality photos of your ride that are in focus and well lit. Due to the volume of mail we receive, we regret that we cannot return photographs. Please shoot and send photos of your truck only (no people, pets, Polaroids, or printouts) to: CCT, Readers' Trucks, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. It is important that you include a detailed description of the modifications you have made to your truck, including any interesting stories behind it.