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SUPERBIRD REBIRTH

In 1970 Plymouth introduced the Superbird. It was equipped with an aerodynamic nose, a shape that was ahead of its time, and it had a ridiculously high wing that gave it track performance and a unique trademark. Only in 1970 were the Superbirds produced, and a mere 1,920 left the factory. Of those, 23 percent were painted Lemon Twist.

CLASSIC HOT ROD CRUISER

The pictured F-100 is a 1954 model, and it was purchased by Carl and Marianne Lewis from Milwaukie, Oregon, in 1992. The truck had seen better days, as it had been sitting out in the elements under an awning next to a storage shed. In primer, and with a transplanted 289 small block, the truck was partially disassembled as it sat on four flat tires. It had not been moved for some 10 years. Mel Nichols was hired for the much needed makeover, which took 3-1/2 years to complete.

Spotlighter

A FITTING TRIBUTE

This Vintage Chevy Is More Than Just a Project

When we shoot a feature, we give the owner a tech sheet to fill out to tell us about all the parts that were used on the truck. The tech booklet tells us what shocks or body modifications have been performed, and we always ask why that person has decided to build that particular truck. Many times the answer is that their father had one when the owner was a kid. This is the case with Hector Leon and his ’57 Chevy.

Author

Matt Emery

Story and Photography

A Tribute to His Late Father

But the difference for Leon is that his father passed away suddenly when Leon was only 12 years old. Due to the financial burden placed on the family, his mother sold the pickup, and it was then that Leon decided that someday he would own a truck just like his dad’s. Leon told us that when he saw this particular ’57, it was in sad shape, but he wanted it no matter what shape it was in. In fact, he thought that it was better this way, as the rough shape of the truck would give him that much more time to bond with the father he lost so long ago.

Planning the Restoration

Once he had the truck home, Leon made a plan of what he wanted his truck to become. He knew that he wanted the truck to retain much of the look of the original vehicle, but he also knew that he wanted it to exhibit modern driving manners. To that end, he and his friend Paul Rizo set out to not only transform the Chevy, but to also bridge a gap.

Enhancing the Suspension

They started out by enhancing the suspension system. Using a host of Air Ride Technologies’ pieces, they added a Camaro front end and used a set of Air Ride airbags to give it the right amount of drop. In using the Camaro unit, they not only added the IFS, but also the disc brakes that the truck so desperately needed. Out back, they used the Camaro’s 12-bolt rearend, added a posi unit and held it aloft with an Air Ride four-link system. Though the housing is from the Camaro, a set of rear disc brakes from a ’79 Caddy was grafted on, giving the truck disc brakes at all four corners. As with the front, a set of Air Ride airbags do the dropping. The system did what Leon wanted it to do; he was able to retain the stock frame but upgraded it to modern standards.

Adding Modern Touches

Another modern touch was the addition of 20-inch wheels. The five-spoke Tenzo wheels are the perfect addition; they give the truck the look of both old and new. And with the addition of the 35-series Falken tires, the truck has both the good looks and performance Leon wanted to add to it.

Powering the Truck

As a dedicated power fiend, Leon wanted the truck to have all the latest toys as well. To do this, he added a 383 Chevy crate engine to the truck. The 383 was the perfect choice for the big Chevy, but Leon wanted it to look as well as it ran—like a classic. He did this by adding a 700cfm Edelbrock carburetor, which sits astride an Airflow Research intake manifold. A set of Flow-Tech headers was given the treatment by Jet-Hot and is now aluma-coated, while a set of twin-chamber Flowmaster mufflers adds to the great sound of the engine. Spark is provided with a modified Chevy HEI ignition system. Providing the clean air is a K&N filter housed in a chromed and ball-milled air-cleaner housing. Other accents include a set of Edelbrock valve covers, chromed water and steering pumps and hoses. Getting the estimated 400 hp to the rearend is a 700R4 transmission.

Exterior Modifications

As stated, Leon wanted the truck to look like a classic Chevy, so he didn’t want to be chopping tops or doing any other major mods. However, he and Rizo did do their fair share of shaving. In fact, just about the only things still adorning the body are the door handles and the side mirrors. Gone are all of the emblems and the tailgate latches. And with the gas tank moved to the rear, the stock fuel inlet is gone as well. One thing added was the Brothers one-piece window kit.

Finishing Touches

When the work was finished, the body was sprayed with House of Kolor Candy Tangerine that was infused with gold pearl. The killer flames are the work of Larry’s Paint of Baldwin Park, California, and they really set off the truck. With the addition of the Brothers red oak wood bed and stainless metal strips, the job was complete.

Interior Upgrades

The formula of stock (but way better) was continued in the interior. Gone is the stock bench seat, and in its place is a 60/40 unit that was originally in a Silverado. Mike’s Upholstery in Baldwin Park was hard at work on the interior, as the entire space was seemingly wrapped with either tweed or tan vinyl. Even the dash has been treated to a swath of tweed. The stock gauge cluster has been replaced with a set of white-face Dolphin gauges. Also finding a new home in the dash is a Kenwood stereo system. Providing a wall of sound is the Alpine AM/FM/CD-capable head unit, pumped with an Alpine amp that plays through a host of Alpine speakers. In yet another case of better-than-stock quality, a Painless wiring system has been installed to replace the stock spaghetti. And as with much of the build, these things were also installed by the multi-talented Paul Rizo.