A Labor of Love: The Nowaks’ ’48 Chevy Pickup

Rick Nowak’s journey with his 1948 Chevy pickup began with a vision and a bit of inspiration. Originally built with an S-10 front clip and a Chevy 350 engine, the truck served the Nowak family well for four years before Rick decided to give it a complete makeover. Inspired by the shop truck at Gaylord’s Tops and Interiors, he and his wife, Terri, tore the pickup apart and rebuilt it from the ground up.

Chassis and Suspension: Merging Old and New

Nowak combined an S-10 front subframe with the original ’48 Chevy frame’s rear section, integrating steering, brakes, Monroe shocks, V-6 springs, and Belltech 2-inch drop spindles. The suspension upgrades included Energy Suspension bushings for durability, while red-painted 15×6-inch steelies from Wheel Vintiques with chrome bullet hubcaps and Coker wide whitewall tires set the stance. Out back, a ’57 Chevy rearend with 3.08 gears and BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewalls wrapped around 15×8-inch steelies provided a classic touch.

Powertrain: Balanced Performance with Vintage Style

The Chevy 350 engine remained at the heart of the build. Featuring an Edelbrock RV cam, intake, and 600cfm carb, the setup delivered a solid 300 hp. For style, Mooneyes finned accessories like the air cleaner and valve covers added flair. A Turbo 400 transmission, built by John Mardis, completed the drivetrain.

Bodywork: A Masterclass in Customization

The Nowaks transformed the pickup’s body, channeling the cab over the frame and wedge-chopping the roof 4 inches in the front and 3 inches in the rear. They sectioned the body 4 inches for a sleek, proportional look, replacing the stock hood with a modified dump truck hood. Suicide-style doors, widened Old Chicago rear fenders, and MAR-K weathered bed components added further customization.

Paint and Finishing Touches

The truck’s flat black paint emphasized its hot rod flavor, complemented by Brandon Bowling’s pinstriping and door lettering for “Jim’s Garage Rods and Kustoms.” This tribute to Rick’s father, who fixed bicycles in his garage, gave the truck a personal touch.

Interior: Simple Yet Striking

Inside, Rick narrowed a ’59 Impala dash by 9 inches and fitted Classic Instruments gauges. A tall Lokar shifter with an eight-ball knob, a painted LeCarra Mark X steering wheel, and Terri’s Mexican blanket upholstery on the Dodge minivan bench seat tied the design together. For comfort, the cowl vent was retained, eliminating the need for air conditioning or a stereo.

On the Road

The Nowaks’ Chevy is more than a showpiece—it’s a driver. The couple takes it to events like Goodguys and NSRA gatherings near their Kentucky home. Its blend of craftsmanship and personality ensures it stands out wherever it goes.

A Legacy in the Making

As wild as this ’48 Chevy is, the Nowaks have already taken their creativity further with a second truck build featuring parts from vehicles like a ’59 Cadillac, ’71 Camaro, and even a Subaru. Whether it’s this flat-black masterpiece or their next creation, the Nowaks’ passion for hot rodding guarantees they’ll be turning heads at every event.