Combining the old and new,...
Combining the old and new, a late model bed has early fenders grafted on for a truly unique look. The smooth tail treatment is enhanced by a custom rolled pan and a hidden license plate, and hidden underneath is a spare tire with a custom stainless steel cover.
When this Chevy truck rolled away from the dealership, it immediately began duty as a work truck. Over the years, the truck changed owners a few more times, but one thing stayed constant—the ’48 remained a work truck. By the time Lew Rice found the Chevy it was in rough shape, but as a lifelong gearhead he could see the tired truck had possibilities.
Lew started reconstructing the half-ton from the ground up in his home garage. The frame was sandblasted, then the forward portion was boxed. The stock front axle was tossed and in its place went a Heidts IFS with rack-and-pinion steering, 11-inch disc brakes, and tubular A-arms; while in the rear, new leaf springs located a Pontiac Trans Am rearend with 3.36:1 gears. Replacing the original six-cylinder babbitt basher is a 350 Chevrolet from Jasper Engines. Stock internally, the small-block is connected to a Turbo 350 from I.G. Burton Chevrolet.
Detailed to the max, the small-block has been equipped with a Vintage Air Frontrunner, Billet Specialties air cleaner and rocker covers, and an Edelbrock manifold and carburetor. Headers are ceramic-coated block huggers and the remainder of the system is stainless steel.
A touch of blue inside complements...
A touch of blue inside complements the same color used underneath on the running gear components. Topping off the Flaming River tilt column is a Billet Specialties wheel and the truck’s vital statistics are reported by Classic Instruments.
While Lew felt confident about handling the mechanical end of construction, he sought help to add the custom touches to the body he had in mind. Lew’s friend, Richard Shockley, began making the long list of modifications, but sadly he passed away before they were completed. J.R.’s Auto Body stepped in and saw the project through to completion.
Starting at the front, the headlights have been frenched, and a rolled pan was added. The hood has been shaved, smoothed, and the center seam welded. A whopping 5¼ inches were removed from the top, the door handles have been removed, and custom running boards were fabbed. Replacing the stocker is an ’89 bed that has been narrowed 30 inches and has a solid filled and smoothed panel where there once was a tailgate. When all the bodywork was wrapped up, J.R.’s covered it in GM Monte Carlo white from DuPont.
Frenched 1990 Cadillac taillights...
Frenched 1990 Cadillac taillights provide illumination in the rear.
Inside the five-window cab, the smooth theme continues with a dash devoid of anything other than a speedometer; additional gauges are in the center console and mounted overhead. All the electronics are connected by an owner-installed Painless wiring harness with all the switches and controls hidden from view.
Lew wanted the truck to be comfortable so Trans Am six-way power bucket seats were selected, then Sapp’s Auto Interiors stitched up the rolled and pleated vinyl that covers all the upholstered surfaces. One of Lew’s concerns about the truck was the safety of its occupants. All the doors are electrically operated from the outside with a key fob, as well as inside by buttons; backup manual release cables were added to each door to keep Lew and his wife from being trapped in case of an electrical failure.
A Hagan frenched headlight...
A Hagan frenched headlight kit with tri-bar, blue-dot lamps replaced the stock sealed beams.
When the truck was nearly complete, Lew decided to take it to a few shows, even though he still intended to add some sort of graphics. But the more he looked at it, and the more admirers advised him not to change a thing, the plans changed and the truck didn’t. One thing that hasn’t changed is Lew’s Chevy is still a work truck—of course now the only thing it hauls are awards.
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If you were making a list...
If you were making a list of what hasn’t been modified on this ’48 Chevy owned by Lew Rice, the only thing on it would be the grille above the custom rolled pan.
With the exception of the...
With the exception of the buttons for the power windows and door latches in the custom center console, all the other controls are hidden, including those for the Vintage Air heat and cool system.
Fuel is added to the CRC tank...
Fuel is added to the CRC tank through a custom cap in the bedrail.