BUTCH
March 31, 2025
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
The Sights of SEMA 2023
Explore the standout rides and jaw-dropping innovations at SEMA 2023! Join us as we revisit the show’s hottest builds, from the iconic 1957 Nash Metropolitan to the cutting-edge Arrington Hydrogen Monster Truck. Get an exclusive look at the custom creations, unique body kits, and powerhouse engines that stole the spotlight at the premier automotive aftermarket event of the year. Don’t miss out on the highlights captured by The Auto Builder Staff and photographers Wendy Miles & Kim Cooley. Feast your eyes on the unforgettable designs and ingenious engineering that left a lasting impression at SEMA 2023!
TIME Challenger
The camouflaged prototypes hadn’t long been out of the shed when news of the new ’09 Challenger rushed into mainstream auto circles. The first production models hadn’t even heated pavement and the lore began as already-enthusiastic aficionados began concocting legends of greatness, as they shaped this car’s history before it ever turned a wheel—and they weren’t a minute too soon!
STEER CLEAR
Dean Brown was looking for another street rod to build after selling his ’40 pickup truck when he heard about a ’52 Chevy panel delivery for sale. As he’d always been fond of these trucks, he decided to take a look. When he saw the panel delivery he found that it was in reasonable condition and was still running fine with the original six-cylinder engine. The truck’s history showed that it was a Helms Bakery truck in the ’50s and had never been modified.
Spotlighter
REALITY CHECK
After Years of Waiting, Ronnie Loyd’s Dream of Owning a Classic Chevy Truck Has Finally Come True
Virginia Beach, Virginia, residents Ronnie and Linda Loyd have always held a special place in their hearts for classic trucks. Having owned several old trucks through the years, Loyd built a certain appreciation for early Chevy pickups, especially those of the 1967 thru 1972 era. Since Loyd already owns a ’33 Ford coupe and a ’93 454 Chevrolet SS pickup, he decided now would be the perfect time to complete his collection by getting the early ’70s truck he always wanted.
Author
Josh Kaylor
Story & Photography
Loyd Finds the Perfect ’72 C10
After searching for only a few months, Loyd’s hunt for the perfect pickup lead him to Dave Clark at Early Classic Enterprises (ECE), and a certain ’72 C10. Clark originally purchased the truck back in 1995 as a test mule for ECE’s vast collection of high-performance suspension components and continued to use the truck at the ECE headquarters. After only one look, Loyd knew this was the one; this was the truck he had always lusted for. Clark and his crew had built an amazing pickup, and Loyd knew that with a few personal touches, the truck would be perfect.
A Rigorous Frame-Off Restoration
Clark and his crew at ECE began the project working from the ground up. After dismantling the truck, the frame and suspension went through a rigorous restoration. Blasttech located in nearby Fresno, California, removed any rust and scale before powdercoating the chassis in a clean satin black finish. ECE repaired, rebuilt or replaced every suspension component using new Moog hardware before reinstalling it all onto the fresh framerails. Up front, ECE installed a set of 2-1/2-inch-dropped spindles, and 2-inch-dropped coils to help bring the truck closer to the ground. After removing the stock 12-bolt rearend and installing an Auburn limited slip and 3.42 gears, Clark implemented 6-inch dropped coils and an adjustable Panhard bar to complement the front drop and re-center the rearend.
Upgraded Driveability and Rolling Stock
To improve driveability and handling, a 1-1/4-inch sway bar resides beneath the truck, and a quick ratio steering box replaces the worn out original. Since the original shocks were long overdue for a change, ECE fitted the truck with a set of KYB gas shocks. One of the first things to change when Loyd purchased the truck were the wheels. Clark installed chrome five spokes several years earlier, which Lloyd felt were a bit dated. Rolling stock for the Cheyenne now consists of Boyd Coddington 18- and 20-inch Sultans wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber. Visible through the windows of the Coddington wheels are 12-inch front and 11-inch rear cross-drilled rotors.
The Prototype ZZ4 Crate Engine
Residing under the hood of the vintage Chevy is a GM Performance Parts ZZ4 crate engine. Now what makes this particular engine special is that it is ZZ4 production engine number 3. Originally built as a prototype for the GM Performance Parts program, the engine made its way out of GM and into this particular Cheyenne. Rather than try to modify GM engineering’s effort, Clark capitalized on the factory performance. The ZZ4 is topped with GM Performance Parts 58cc aluminum heads, aluminum intake and a Jones Performance Quadrajet. Wanting to keep the truck’s appearance stock, Clark fitted the ZZ4 with the factory accessories, including the original California smog pump and A/C compressor. To add a little brightwork beneath the hood, a chrome breather and aluminum Corvette valve covers rest atop this potent powerplant. With driveability high on the list, Clark chose to install a 4L60E trans to keep the ZZ4 rpm down and fuel mileage up.
Exterior Refinement to Perfection
The exterior of the Chevy is as straight as the day it left the factory. Since the previous owner had taken such good care of the truck, and the California climate was kind to it as well, bringing this vintage sheetmetal back to pristine condition was a simple task. Believe it or not, all of the original panels were solid enough to retain, even the rocker panels and the floor, two of the most notorious C10 rust spots. So after removing the few minor dents and dings, Don Hans of Fresno, California, applied a flawless coat of Martin Senour Red/Orange and Colonial White in original fashion, splitting the colors with the stock trim. After the paint was dry, ECE began installing each and every piece of trim with new, pristine reproduction parts. From front to back the bumpers, lenses and bezels were replaced with new components from the ECE warehouse.
A Spectacular Interior
The inside is just as spectacular as the exterior. Complete with orange houndstooth bucket seats, the interior has several rare options including A/C, tilt steering and a tachometer. Restored beyond perfection, the interior also features an updated harness from M&H and a Custom Autosound USA-5 stereo pumping out the tunes. To point the truck in the right direction, Clark decided on a Corvette wheel of the same era. It looks great and fits the overall theme of this classic pickup.
Loyd’s Dream Realized
After more than 20 years, Loyd finally has the truck he always dreamed of owning, and now his collection is complete. Thanks to the truck’s overall simplicity, its ease of driveability and great looks, this is a truck Loyd can continue to enjoy for many years to come.
Inside, Clark and his crew opted to simply restore the interior of the pickup with the exception of the Custom Autosound stereo and Corvette steering wheel.
