Tri-Five Chevy panel trucks are not held in the same high regard as Tri-Five Cameos and standard 1/2-ton pickups. We're not sure why they haven't been as desirable when selecting street-truck project material--probably because of lower production numbers. But one fact about panels will soon become obvious. After seeing David Gongora's '56 Chevy panel, plenty of truck lovers are going to say, "Why didn't I think of building something like that!"
The street-van craze wave crested decades ago along with bell-bottom jeans, shag carpet, and waterbeds. However, we're seeing more of these Tri-Five panel trucks being built with the same attention to detail as some of the outdoor-event award-winning pickups for the obvious reasons of affordability and versatility. In addition, all the modern pickup suspension parts and engine accessories are equally comfortable when bolted to a panel truck.
Pomona, California, bodyshop owner David Gongora is old enough to remember the van craze, but because he had a Chevy panel truck when he was in high school, he also remembers how many friends he could haul around in comfort. When he came across this '56 panel several years ago, his memories of high-school good times brought back a desire to have a very cool vintage vehicle that could be a catalyst for friends and fun. Party on David!
After being reeled in by the super-straight body panels and Amber-Fire paint, we were delighted to find an interior that had an equal amount of sex appeal. Beside a Sean Dunn of Advanced Stereo kickin' Kenwood stereo, TV/DVD/CD super sound system, there's an abundance of laser light and color-changing fiber optics to have viewers comparing the psychedelic interior lighting to modern night clubs. (oooh, the colors!) David's good friend, Doc Hildebrant of Artful Expressions Auto Interiors, is responsible for the sin-bin interior mood with its combination of suede leather, snakeskin, and plush carpet. There's also an inviting handbuilt bar and rear bench seat to attract partygoers to Gongora's rolling rock concert. (Carlos Santana concert DVDs are in the video rack.)
In fact, all the details of David's panel truck have a resemblance to the comfortable van interiors of the '60s and '70s--not an accident for this experienced bodyshop owner. And when we've observed David at local events, there's always a crowd of admirers gathered around enjoying the sound system while examining the interior details. So if you happen across an un-restored Tri-Five panel truck, remember what David did to this one. You might see greater potential in this cavernous cargo hauler. David's pulsating rolling sound system had us remembering waterbeds, beads, and nubile maidens with waist-length hair and tie-dyed T-shirts. Party on!
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A TCI IFS with Firestone coilover airbags allows the front of Gongora's panel truck to drop to near-pavement height. The Colorado Custom billet rollers are 20-inch in diameter all around. |
David was proud to salute the completion of his limo-like panel truck with a tasty glass of Korbel champagne. |
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Rancho Valley Chevrolet in Pomona,CA, built this stroked Chevy 383ci engine filled with TRW pistons and a GM Performance Parts camshaft. Dart II heads, an Edelbrock intake manifold, and an AFB carburetor feed the cylinders. Other performance details include Doug Thorley Headers tubular exhaust and Flowmaster mufflers. The Toy Shop handled the mods to the 700-R4 AOD trans. |
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The limo-like interior is complete with TV/DVD/CD player, layered lighting, and laser-light show. The sound system equals anything your ears have ever been entertained by, thanks to the efforts of Sean Dunn of Advance Stereo in Pomona, CA. |
Mid-'80s Cadillac taillights are a popular item to mold into the rear fender, offering excellent brake-light visibility and styling detail. The double rear doors were modified with '02 Chevy Suburban hinges. There's even a camera mounted in the rear providing a signal to the front LCD screen for safety. |
There's plenty of room for friends to enjoy the DVD player, and refreshments are always on hand in the rear bar. |
Auto Meter instruments are mounted in a machined billet gauge panel. |
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Here's a neat custom detail. The stainless steel exhaust exits out the rear quarter panel to prevent damage when the truck is positioned in its lowest ground-scraping stance. |
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