This exciting new project is in the final stages of body metal shaping at Steve's Auto Restorations. Because there were so many changes to the original design, all-new body panels were formed rather than cutting up the original. This gave the crew the freedom to incorporate all types of neat new design elements and details that will make this a ground-breaking custom hot-rod pickup. The rolled fender edges, hood sides, and running boards have yet to be formed, but the chassis is complete and the bodylines are in final form. Completion is planned for spring 2005. Here are some of the features:
*One-off, hand-formed steel body, bed, fenders, and running boards
*Design by Chris Ito
*Chopped, channeled, and sectioned from original lines
*Stock body, fenders, and grille reveals retained and duplicated on bed
*Windshield laid-back - retained stock-style chrome swing-out windshield
*Grille laid back with hand-made custom insert
*Suicide doors with custom-built hidden hinges
*Hand-formed aluminum bed and tonneau with custom hinges
*Hood top hinged alligator style, removable sides with custom cutouts
*700hp blown and injected 392 Hemi, 727 trans, Dana 60 rearend
*Custom-fabricated chassis, boxed with molded crossmembers
*17-inch front and 20-inch rear custom designed wheels built by Budnik
*Baer 13-inch front and 12-inch rear disc brakes
*Polished stainless 3-inch exhaust, hand fabricated from tubing sections
*Heidt's Super Ride IFS
*Hand-formed steel interior panels
*Stock-style gauge panel with the gauges rebuilt by Classic Instruments
*'33 Chrysler headlights, restyled '39 Ford taillights
For more information, contact: Steve's Auto Restorations Inc., 4440 SE 174th Ave., Portland, OR 97236, (503) 665-2222, steve@realsteel.com.
Events
February
February 5 - San Juan Capistrano, California - C.A.R.E. Show will be from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center and benefits the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort. Open to hot rods, musclecars, classics, cruisers, imports, and trucks. The show will include 30 trophies, prizes, and drawings. Live entertainment, celebrity guests, static displays, and a pinstriping demonstration will also be on hand. Entry fee is $25. For more information, contact: Phillip Schwartze, (949) 240-1735, info@capoanimalrescue.com.
March
March 11-13 - Panama City Beach, Florida - 9th Annual Spring Fling will be held at Frank Brown Park. Registration for the event will be available Friday through Sunday. Online registration for the event is also available. For more information, contact: Doug, (850) 258-4077; Scott, (850) 527-7465, www.vitalsigns.org.
March - 18-20 - Santa Maria, California - Chevy/GMC Truckin' Nationals, Chevy Times Western Regionals Spring Automotive Swap Meet will be presented at the Santa Maria Fair Park. For more information, contact: www.horsepowerpromotions.com.
April
April 10th-Costa Mesa, California-The All Truck Nationals is an event for all type of trucks and will be held at the Orange County Fairgrounds. For more information, contact: www.horsepowerpromotions.com.