Vintage custom trucks are like fingerprints-no two are exactly alike. There are always going to be hobbyists who copy a trendsetting truck. One might see similar examples crop up, but builders will always add their own touches.
Marty Scott of Fuquay-Vacina, North Carolina, wanted to create a hot rod hauler like no other out of his '71 Chevy pickup. He began mentally building the Bow Tie by borrowing customizing ideas from pickups he'd seen in magazines and at shows and adding his creativity to the mix. Roger Belinger of T&R Hot Rod Shop in Apex, North Carolina, couldn't believe Marty had so many radical plans for the pickup. The Shop is much more accustomed to building old-school customs.
T&R began construction by replacing the spindles with 2-inch drop Belltechs and equipping the Chevy with Powerslot disc brakes. They removed the original rear axle in favor of a Ford 9-inch, which received an improved and adjustable ride via Air Ride Technologies airbags. A '71 Chevy disc brake conversion enhanced stopping power in the back. Behind the differential, T&R installed its custom 20-gallon stainless steel fuel cell. After plumbing the brakes and fuel lines with stainless steel pipes, hoses, and fittings, the chassis was disassembled for an electric blue covering of powdercoat.
With the chassis bright blue, brilliant stainless, and back together, T&R addressed the Bow Tie's bodywork. Per Marty's wishes, they filled the tailgate and blocked in a sheetmetal Bow Tie opening for the cab's rear window. Much metal-massaging, sanding, primering, and block-sanding ensued before the crew laid down the PPG custom-mixed green topcoats. Augie of Augie's Artworks added the none-like-it graphics.
Since Marty prefers the '67...
Since Marty prefers the '67 Chevy pickup's grille, his Bow Tie sports a chromed '71 Chevy truck front bumper with a '67 Chevy truck nose. The hood's also from a '67.
The owner, Marty Scott, is...
The owner, Marty Scott, is not a fat rat, but his truck is called 1 FAT RAT and is powered by same, hence the name and graphics. A contractor by trade, the C10 was Marty's work truck.
The power '98 Cadillac Seville...
The power '98 Cadillac Seville bucket seats were trimmed by T&R in bright blue leather and twilight blue tweed. Notice the enormous Blaupunkt speaker behind the passenger seat.
If you guessed that the dashboard...
If you guessed that the dashboard came from a '55 DeSoto, you know your cars as well as you do custom classic Chevy trucks. A B&M shifter makes for easy shifting of the saucy TCI Automotive TH400 trans. In the custom center console is a JVC KD-AVXI CD/stereo head unit. The steering wheel is a Trenz Billet item.
The craftsmen at T&R also...
The craftsmen at T&R also created the custom door panels, which house Blaupunkt speakers, leather trim, and Heartbeat of America Bow Ties.
Hedman ceramic-coated block...
Hedman ceramic-coated block hugger headers expel the 502ci rat motor's spent gases. Custom mandrel-bent and ceramic-coated pipes and Flowmaster mufflers complete the first-class exhaust system. A K&N Filters oil-filled air-filter element protects the prodigious powerplant when the engine's inhaling.