1965 Chevy Stepside - A Chevy's Renaissance

Georgia & Chuck Macchietto's '65 Chevy Stepside

By D. Brian Smith

The Renaissance period marked the revival of letters and arts in Europe and the transition from medieval to modern times. Much later, someone coined the term Renaissance man to denote a person who has many diverse superlative talents.

Chuck Macchietto of Rye, Colorado, began construction of his '65 Chevy shortbed three years ago. It was his first hobby hauler project. Had he gone into the build by himself, he may not have finished the Chevy in such a short time. Chuck credits his nephew Doug Girodo, whom he claims is a Renaissance man, for being the driving force behind the Bow Tie.

The guys began the truck's construction not long after Chuck had suffered a mild heart attack. With such a traumatic event, some might take it easy. Doug knew that encouraging Chuck to get involved in a vintage-truck project would be preferable to having him sit around, too scared to live.

At first, the uncle/nephew team drifted from task to task before methodically concentrating on the Chevy's foundation. They enhanced the chassis with a '73 Chevy truck IFS, a '84 Blazer power-steering rack, an Auburn posi differential with Mosier axles, and Hotchkiss 4-inch-drop rear springs.

With the help of Burt's Machine, Doug built up the Burt's balanced and blue-printed engine components from a '96 Vortec engine--stroked to 383 cubes. Vortec ported and polished heads, Speed Pro pistons and rings, a COMP Cams street-performance bumpstick, and a double-roller timing chain were all used in the powerplant's renovation, as was a Moroso 7-quart oil sump. Backed by a B&M 2,200-converter and B&M trans cooler-equipped TH350, the Vortec engine pumps out a reliable 350 horses.

In terms of the bodywork required to bring back the pickup, the two relatives worked many hours. Doug shaved the door handles and fabricated the tailgate, rear roll pan, and cowl induction hood. The painter, Lloyd Reaussa, had only minor paint prep left to do before he applied the House of Kolors Sunset Pearl base coats and clear coats. John Largent added ghost flames and pinstriping. Doug's customization abilities carried over to the Chevy's cockpit. He crafted the bucket seats and center console. For the metal dashboard, Doug flattened and customized it further with a lower panel, before wiring the truck with a Painless Performance Products harness. He also installed the RodDoors headliner, door panels, and kick panels. We hear that in addition to being an accomplished car/truck fabricator and customizer, Doug carries a 12 handicap in golf, co-owns a HVAC and custom sheetmetal-fabrication business (Elmer's Sheetmetal), is a finish carpenter and cabinetmaker--and a team roper and horse trainer.

Considering how well the Chevy turned out, we can assert he's an accomplished fabricator. We don't think we'd bet against him in team roping or golf either. Whether he's a Renaissance man is a question for the ages and the sages.