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 Now this interior is even...  Now this interior is even more plush than that in a brand new truck. Rocky's Kustom Concepts combined Mercedes carpeting with leather for a luxurious ride. |
 Frenched-in Jaguar headlights...  Frenched-in Jaguar headlights set off the front end of the '54 Chevy. Jim used Gearhead LEDs for the taillights, parking lights, and a third brake light. |
 The GM crate engine was topped...  The GM crate engine was topped off with a Street & Performance air cleaner and valve covers, plus Sanderson headers. |
 This pickup was sliced, diced,...  This pickup was sliced, diced, chopped, and dropped. There's no chrome, no emblems, no handles--and just about no equal. |
 Custom door panels replicate...  Custom door panels replicate the milled groove pattern seen on the air filter and valve covers. Nice touches like these make this truck stand out. |
Jim Venturi has a strong attraction to this '54 Chevy pickup. His dad, Romo, purchased it new in 1954. It was given to Jim in 1979, and he drove it in stock condition with his daughter Kristi until 1994, when this project began. The Goodguys Pleasanton rod run was the first outing for the customized truck, and when Romo (now 82) drove it again he threatened to take it back!
Va Song of Fresno, California, chopped the top and performed an endless list of body changes. Jim says the only things not touched were the horn, the dome light, and the license plate! Pete Ramirez of Excellence Body & Paint in Madera, California, was responsible for the truck's finish bodywork and paint. Jim won't reveal the color, but we do know it's DuPont.
The Colorado Custom wheels (Boulder model) really are a focal point for this truck. This is a brand new style and it's perfect for customs. Jim put 17x8 wheels on the back and 16x8 wheels on the front, with BFGoodrich Z-rated radials all the way around. A GM 350 crate engine is mated to a TH-350 transmission that delivers the power to a Ford 9-inch rearend.
Jim stresses that without the help of his wife, Patricia, and good friends Milt Hench and Pete Ramirez, the project would never have gotten off the ground. The only question we have left to ask Jim is, When will the truck pass to Kristi and what will she do with it?