Award Winning Dually Pickup 355 TH400 Dana 60

At first glance, I'm sure you're saying to yourself that there's no such animal as a 1969 Chevrolet C20 dually. And you'd be right. This one is an incredible custom build that has won shows across the country, yet still manages to retain all the functionality of a real truck. There's no debating the fact that those wide rear fenders look cool, and the C-series trucks of this vintage are some of the most handsome ever produced, making this chopped red pickup pure eye candy. The list of custom equipment is extensive, and the cost to build was probably three or four times the asking price. Imagine this as a hauler for your vintage iron, but you'd better have something pretty amazing on the trailer, because this truck is going to attract an awful lot of attention wherever it goes.

Great customs are made great by the workmanship and the ability to blend stock and modified areas so seamlessly that it's impossible to tell where the tricks lie. On this truck, obviously the roof has been chopped, a 3.5-inch shave that gives it a sleek profile without disturbing the factory's good looks. The bed was completely fabricated from scratch, but it sure looks OEM, thanks to careful matching of body lines and contours that also accommodate the late-model GM fiberglass dually fenders. The effect is remarkable, and you'd swear that this was a factory build if you didn't already know better. Other trick details include the 2000 Chrysler door handles that replace the clunky chrome factory units, cool Chevy bowtie emblems cut into the fenders and doubling as side marker lights, and a seamless tailgate with CHEVROLET proudly embossed in its surface. Expert viewers will note that the front end is actually from a '68, but the timeless good looks never go out of style. Since there's no way to make a truck like this invisible, you may as well lay down a few coats of brilliant Torch Red over super-straight bodywork just for effect.

All the chrome and stainless trim was retained, which means no painted bumpers or cheesy billet grills. Everything has been restored or replaced, and still looks show-ready today, including the grille opening surrounds and those delicate commercial-style rear view mirrors. Even the stock wiper arms remain, further blending the custom and stock components and making viewers wonder where the line lies. In back, the tail lights offer traditional blue dots, and that rear bumper fits as well as any truck I've ever seen. Is it custom or factory? You decide.

A 355 cubic inch Chevy small block is used to provide motivating force, and performance is lively and towing capacity is impressive. With pump-gas friendly 9.0:1 compression, a Comp Cams bumpstick, and an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, it will happily pull a trailer all day without complaint. An Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor lives under a billet aluminum air cleaner, and it has all been bathed in matching Torch Red paint. The build was completed only 2000 miles ago, so it runs beautifully and shows few signs of being used; paint is crisp, the polished aluminum is bright, and all the chrome sparkles. The radiator looks like it was borrowed from a Kenworth, and should keep this truck cool under virtually any conditions, especially with that massive SPAL electric fan. Power brakes and steering are included, and are probably mandatory on a rig this size, but it drives effortlessly around town as long as you take care to look out for those wide fenders.

In case you had any doubts about this truck's hauling abilities, one look underneath will lay your fears to rest. The transmission is a TH400 3-speed automatic, and it feeds a custom-built Dana 60 rear end that was specifically designed for dually duty in this truck. To get that “in the weeds” stance, a custom tubular front suspension employs dropped spindles and lowering springs for a 4.5 inch drop, while raised spring perches and re-curved leaf springs give it a nice rake. A 2.25-inch dual exhaust system was custom fabricated using Flowmaster 50 series mufflers and gorgeous Gibson 3-inch polished tips that are just barely visible beneath the rear bumper. And for the true dually look, it uses polished stainless steel wheel covers and rides on six Cooper SRM Radial LT 8.75R16.5LT tires.

Like the exterior, the interior is an artful blend of stock and custom work. Obviously the upholstery and door panels are custom, and the workmanship is outstanding. The original bench seat remains in place, preserving the truck's passenger carrying capacity, while the original gauge cluster and dash were fully restored, including the factory tachometer. A tilt column topped by a leather-wrapped LeCarrera steering wheel makes it comfortable for those long hauls, and billet pedals tie it all together neatly. All the glass was neatly reshaped to accommodate the chopped top, and given a gray tint that lends privacy without attracting unwanted legal attention. An AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit from Custom Auto Sound lives in the dash, driving a variety of speakers stashed throughout the passenger compartment. In back, instead of a pickup bed, you get what might be the largest trunk in the world, fully upholstered and protected under a hard tonneau cover by Checkmate.

This truck was a 2006 Goodguys Rod & Customs Pro Pick and also won a 2005 Super Chevy award. Yeah, it's that nice.

The ultimate tow vehicle or show truck? You'll have to decide for yourself, but there's no arguing that this dually is an amazing piece. Beautifully constructed and so well engineered that the line between stock and modified is completely invisible, it's a hobby vehicle that's also eminently practical. It's also a lot of fun to drive, with a big-rig feel that gets a ton of attention out on the road. Parked in the showroom, it gets more attention than almost anything else we have. Whether that's due to its size and bright red paint, or just because nobody has ever seen anything like it before, I can't say. You'll have to come see it for yourself. Call today!