The Transformation of Project ’47: From Farm Truck to High-Performance Chassis

Over the past few months, Chevs of the 40’s and Street Rod Headquarters Project ’47, dubbed All In, has transformed from a rusty and tired $300 farm truck into a highly-detailed pickup chassis featuring C4 Corvette front and rear suspension components and a Blueprint Engines 383 stroker, fitted with the best parts money can buy.

Recap: The Chassis Build-Up

Now it’s time for the extensive sheetmetal restoration, which, as you have guessed, is an important part of the build. But first, let’s recap the build as we know it up until now: Time Machines Northwest disassembled the tired and worn-out truck, then made preparations to begin updating the chassis using Corvette C4 suspension components, front and rear, combined with Flat Out Engineering crossmembers. The frame was boxed for additional strength, and the original in-cab gas tank was removed and replaced with a polished stainless tank that now resides between the rear framerails. To complete the chassis, Time Machines bolted on a set of Billet Specialties 20-inch front and 22-inch rear Rat Tail billet wheels.

The Powerhouse: Engine Build-Up

In part two, we covered the engine buildup of the potent Blueprint Engines 383 stroker motor from start to finish. The small block received a complete rebuild using only top-of-the-line internal parts and precision machining. The more than 400 hp will provide plenty of user-friendly power, with lots of torque on demand. To provide a little under-hood bling, Time Machines Northwest installed a Billet Specialties Tru-Trac accessory drive, Barry Grant SixShooter carburetor, Sanderson headers, and not to mention a killer set of one-off valve covers.

Sheetmetal Restoration: Preparing the Body

Now it’s time to bring the body to par with the rest of the truck. After disassembling the front sheetmetal, cab, and bed, the components were sent out to be blasted. Since the original truck is a three-window model, owner Rob Logsdon opted to purchase an additional five-window cab for the buildup. The blaster revealed that even though the new cab appeared solid, it would, however, require several new panels on the lower portion to repair the pinhole rust. That’s rather common, and since Chevs of the 40’s stocks nearly every sheetmetal part, this wasn’t a problem. Among the panels to be replaced, Time Machines also installed a new Bitchin Products recessed firewall and transmission tunnel to make additional room for the 383/700R4 engine/trans combo.

Final Touches: Paint and Bodywork

Once Time Machines completed all the rust repair and the custom sheetmetal work, Logsdon delivered the truck to New Start Auto Works for the final paint and bodywork to be completed. Since much of the original sheetmetal was solid, the sheetmetal required only minimal work before the DuPont Brilliant Silver and Violet Pearl was applied. Follow along as Time Machines Northwest and New Start Auto Works finishes up the exterior of Project All In.