Editor's Note: Getting your truck into Readers' Trucks is a snap, of the camera, that is. All it takes is a stack 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. Send photos of your truck (no 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.
A Labor Of Love
Steve Burn's, of Monroe, North Carolina, and his '65 Chevy have quite a story, so we're just gonna get right to it. Here's Steve's story told by Joey Lee:
"In early '69, Steve Burns, a young father and junior high physical education teacher in south Mississippi found himself in need of dependable transportation. He found just what he was looking for in Ocean Springs: a '65 Chevy pickup from a Navy surplus auction. Steve immediately borrowed the $735 from the school's credit union to buy the truck, and since that day he has worked to customize the truck.
"During the early '70s the Stepside was used as a typical family vehicle, and he began his customizing as time and money would allow. Major modifications began in '76, but were abruptly halted when Steve's eight-year-old-son Clinton was diagnosed with leukemia. A year later Clinton lost his battle and Steve lost all interest in tricking out the truck.
"In '82 Steve decided it was time to get back to work and resurrect the project, only this time it would be a mission of love and remembrance. Steve's first step was to dismantle and sandblast the neglected body. Then he replaced the rear window with a Bow Tie bubble and began the tough project of fabricating a tilting front end. Steve swapped the front and rearend with underpinnings from a '78 Chevy and added Cragar S/S wheels. At this time he also lowered the truck. In '87, longtime friend Paul Venderly suggested something out of the ordinary: an aluminum 350 block with Corvette heads. With the engine complete Steve then began working on fabricating an aluminum dash and installing an aluminum tilt-steering column. In 2000 Steve added Vintage Air, rear fuel cell, power windows, and a JVC stereo. Then the interior was accented in Cardinal Red and black upholstery. Next, Steve built a rear roll pan, and added an aluminum radiator and shroud. He also stained the bed wood a lighter Victory Red and had the truck repainted Victory Red. 'On a teacher's salary, and due to some trying times, this has been a long, slow process, but it's been a labor of love,' Steve said."