The mostly stock C10 body...
The mostly stock C10 body and bed were massaged to perfection before being covered with DuPont Torch Red.
Wayne Terry bought this '67 Chevy pickup 14 years ago, and as his wife, Perley, described the half-ton, "It needed a lot of fixing up to make it into a truck just to use." How it got to be what is seen here is best explained by Mrs. Terry. She tells us that four years ago Wayne retired at the age of 74 after 50 years of being an airline mechanic. It was then the little woman put her foot down and informed her hubby, "That truck has got to be fixed, it's been in the garage long enough." Over the years all sorts of things had been stacked on and around it, in fact Perley swears that when the garage door was opened it was impossible to see it.
At first the plan was to simply get the Chevy back on the road, but after attending a weekend car and truck event that changed. Perley said, "Let's make it a show truck!" The process began with a phone call to Rand Body and Paint in Kaufman, Texas. They agreed to straighten all the sheetmetal and spray the DuPont Torch Red paint. While the cab and bed were being attended to the chassis was being fitted with dropped spindles and disc brakes up front and modified coils and C-notched rails in the rear.
As Wayne had been a drag racer in the past he freshened up the Chevy's small-block by boring it 0.030 over and wrapping the new pistons with Grant rings. He also added a Corvette cam, Holley 600 carburetor on a high-rise manifold, MSD ignition, and Hedman headers. Late-style heads were added to accept the March serpentine belt system. Before the engine was slipped in place it was attached to a rebuilt Turbo 350 transmission and everything under the hood that could be chromed was shipped off to be dipped. To further clean up the engine compartment Wayne moved the battery to the rear, under the bed.
Typical of the attention paid to the truck during the build, Wayne and Perley spent six weeks putting 11 coats of urethane varnish on the new bed floor, sanding with 1,000-grit paper between each coat. The last thing done was the upholstery, a chore assigned to Shawn Cook in Murphy, Texas.
The Terry's displayed their truck for the first time on Valentine's Day in 2009 and won two trophies. Then and there they decided to name the truck Sweetheart. And while they are justifiably proud of the fact that in 19 shows Sweetheart has hauled home 32 trophies, they claim that at 78 years of age they're looking forward to a special award: a trophy for oldest participants.
Like the rest of the truck,...
Like the rest of the truck, under the hood is detailed to the max. To show how involved Perley was in the project, she woke her husband up at 2 a.m. to tell him the black radiator hoses had to go. They're now polished stainless.
Wayne moved the battery and...
Wayne moved the battery and gas tank to hidden locations under the oak bed planks. The fuel filler opening in the cab was filled and a flush cap installed in the pickup box.
Sculpted ivory Ultraleather...
Sculpted ivory Ultraleather was used to upholster the interior. Dolphin instruments are housed in a custom polished billet aluminum panel and a Budnik steering wheel tops the tilt column.
Arguably one of the best looking...
Arguably one of the best looking trucks ever made, Wayne and Perley Terry spent three years improving their '67 Chevy.
Attention to detail is what...
Attention to detail is what sets one truck apart from another, the armrests and chrome trim on the door panels are good examples.
Just about everything removable...
Just about everything removable from the interior was chromed. A Vintage Air heat and cool system was installed along with a Lokar shifter.