Conquering Curves & Cones
May 15, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
SUBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE
On the subject of objectivity, determining what is best without being swayed by personal prejudices or emotions is a task not everyone responsible for making such decisions is capable of. An unbiased overview is a basic essential when weighing the artistic expression of any builder today, but then it always was supposed to be this way. What wins when is often based on opinions and feelings. For this reason alone, personal subjectivity leaves plenty of room for
interpretation and debate.
“MR. CHEVROLET” CAMARO
As in other levels of Motorsports, drag racing has provided us with a rich and interesting history filled with incredible accomplishments by both man and machine. Many of these achievements are the result of tenacity and perseverance. One such story centers around a man known by competitors and fans as the first “Mr. Chevrolet.”
CLASSIC RECONSTRUCTION
Kinney Lazarus has owned several Jeeps over the years, and he had an interest in owning one of these vintage Willys pickups. While searching the Internet one day, he came across a running ’52 Willys 4WD pickup in Arkansas. He purchased the pickup online and had it shipped to his home in Georgia. Once he had possession of the truck, he quickly found that the performance of the original flathead four-cylinder engine left a lot to be desired by today’s standards. Also, being accustomed to a more modern ride, he found that the outdated suspension was less than desirable. In general, this classic Jeep was no fun to drive.
Spotlighter
The Paws That Refreshes
Who Says the Guys Get to Have All the Fun?
Author
Bob McClurg
Story & Photography
Becky Walker, a housewife and career woman from Jarrell, Texas, has two hobbies: raising Great Pyrenees show dogs and her purple prism 53 Chevrolet show truck, appropriately named 53 PAW.
About six years ago, my husband, Billy, dragged this raggedy old 53 Chevrolet farm truck home and told me he was going to fix it up for me to drive. That was the beginning of a major project that lasted over two years. We worked every night, weekend and holiday on that truck. In fact, I distinctly remember spending one New Year’s Eve, back in 2004, helping Billy change out two sets of springs.
A professional welding technician by trade, Walker stripped the old stovebolt to the bare frame, and then he installed the front frame clip from a 79 Pontiac Trans-Am Firebird, which instantly updated the old hauler to independent front suspension, power steering and power front disc brakes. In the process, Walker installed a performance Suspension Technology bushing kit and a PST front anti-sway bar setup.
Out back, Walker installed a 3.73:1-geared Chevrolet Suburban Positraction 12-bolt live rear axle riding on a set of 53 Chevrolet re-arched rear springs. The shock absorbers are KYB gas-charged shocks, and the wheels and tires consist of a set of 17×7-inch front and 18×8-inch rear Intro V-Rod two-piece modular aluminum units, rolling on P225/45ZR 17-inch and P255/45ZR 18-inch Toyo Proxies. Other chassis modifications include the installation of a 22-gallon Rock Valley stainless steel gas tank under the bed of the truck.
Powering the truck is an owner-assembled 72 Pontiac 400 H.O. overbored 0.060 inch. The Walkers big-inch Poncho features a set of TRW forged aluminum pistons, an Edelbrock Performer cam and kit, along with a Holley 750cfm carburetor and Edelbrock Performer intake. The ignition is a combination of Mallory and Taylor items, while the exhaust consists of an owner-fabricated 2-1/2-inch dual exhaust, fit with a pair of Flowmaster mufflers. Backing up all of this is a Monarch Transmission GM TH350.
Walker and friend Donny Hughes were responsible for the bodywork and the outstanding DuPont ChromaLusion Absolute Purpleen Prizm paint on the 53. Before paint, the duo installed a rolled rear pan, a third brake light and a Chevy Bow Tie emblem in the pickup bed. Finally, Bruce Hammond executed the mural of Becky’s favorite Great Pyrenees, Snowflake, on the tailgate.
Inside, the truck features the purple tweed and white vinyl handiwork of Arthur Ochoa. Also on board is Comfort Series purple nylon carpet, a six-way GM tilt steering column and a Grant GT steering wheel. The truck also features Old Air A/C, Electric-Life power windows, Alpine AM/FM/CD and Dakota Digital instrumentation.
Becky shows her 53 at local car and truck shows throughout the Southwest and has won numerous awards.
This is what Becky Walker’s ’53 Chevrolet looked like when her husband Billy hauled it home six years ago.
The truck had been used to haul old tires.
Two years of late nights, weekends and holidays has produced this awesome-looking ’53 Chevrolet 3100-Series pickup. It’s a genuine beauty!
No matter where you look, this Southwestern beauty abounds with detail.
Powering this beauty is an owner-assembled 544 Pontiac H.O. big block bored 0.060 inch and stuffed with TRW pistons, an Edelbrock cam and kit, and a Holley 750cfm carburetor and Edelbrock intake.
Another personal touch is the paw prints adorning the inside of the Chevy’s engine compartment.
The purple and white vinyl interior inside Becky’s pickup was stitched by Arthur Ochoa.
Billy Walker and friend Danny Hughes performed all the bodywork, including installing this rolled pan with ’48 Chevrolet taillights.
Those running lights originally came from the side flanks of a Plymouth Volare.
Artist Bruce Hammond is the man responsible for painting this beautiful mural of Becky’s favorite pooch, Snowflake.
No matter what the angle, Becky’s half-ton Chevrolet looks outstanding in the early-morning Texas sun with its Absolute Purpleen Prizm paint.
Out back, you’ll find a Chevrolet Bow Tie emblem inside the pickup bed and plenty of urethane-coated hardwood.
Becky is rightfully proud of her “53 PAW,” which is named after her penchant for Great Pyrenees dogs.
