Award Winning Custom 3 Window Pickup LS1 EFI V8 4L60E

Few vehicles are more quintessentially American than the truck; and in the truck world, few names carry as much weight as Chevy. Some of the most loyal buyers in the world, Chevy truck enthusiasts use their favorite models for work horses, show queens and everything in between. And despite rising fuel costs, this dedicated group continues to be one of GM's largest fan bases. That comes as no surprise when you consider, at one point in time, GM sold so many Chevys that they considered the Chevy Truck brand a separate entity from Chevrolet cars. And with that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the market for classic Chevys is absolutely exploding! This magazine featured 1957 Half Ton is a unique combination of time, talent and exceptional attention to detail. With killer paint, a modern small block V8 and a stylish leather interior, it's the kind of top notch custom that's guaranteed to make the judges weak in the knees!

Starting with one of the best-looking trucks ever produced, Chevrolet's popular Task Force Series, this super cool pickup was given a roof to rocker makeover which transformed it from a forgotten pile of rust into a magazine featured award-winner. Its restoration was executed right here in Asheboro, North Carolina by the dedicated craftsmen at Michael's Rod Shop; and not surprisingly, its completion is the result of two years of back-breaking work and calculated fine-tuning. As you can probably tell, the truck's basecoat is a bright and clean silver which builds an excellent foundation for layers of pearl and custom painted graphics. Its green top coat is House Of Kolor's striking Sherwood Metallic, which is so liquid smooth I'm not even sure our high definition photos can do it justice. Its stylish divider stripe is custom painted House Of Kolor Passion Purple Pearl, which is so dynamic its presentation varies with light. And its bright accents are killer swaths of House Of Kolor's vivid Tangelo Orange Pearl. There must be literally hundreds of hours of work wrapped up in this custom's body; and when you see the truck in person, you'll be amazed by the amount of depth and precision displayed throughout its finish!

Naturally this awesome Chevy displays a lengthy combination of world class custom touches and first rate detail work that highlights both its solid body and stunning paint. At the front of the truck, a one year only 'wide mouth' grille hangs between modern Hagan headlights that are equipped with fully-integrated parking lights. Below that grille, a custom roll pan replaces a traditional, wraparound chrome bumper; and above that grille, a Bel Air inspired hood wears prominent stamped spears. At the top of the truck a like-new curved windshield is, along with like-new side and back glass, lightly tinted and trimmed in fresh weatherstripping. Behind that windshield, spectacular Peruvian Walnut bed planks are held down by spotless stainless skid strips. And below that windshield, 'flow through' body lines combine with shaved emblems, shaved suicide doors and custom rear fenders, which have been widened by two inches, to create a clean uninterrupted profile. At the back of the truck an embossed Chevrolet tailgate, which has been seamlessly integrated into the sides of its bed, hangs over trick square exhaust tips. At the sides of that tailgate, frenched '53 Cadillac tail lights provide fitting 50s lead sled class. And at the edges of that tailgate, a flush-fit LED center high mount stop lamp combines with a second custom roll pan to provide a sleek, modern appearance.

Power comes from GM's evergreen LS1 Gen III V8 which combines a sturdy aluminum casting with lightweight aluminum heads, coil-near-plug ignition and flat top aluminum pistons to create stout 10 to 1 compression and razor sharp throttle response. At the front of the engine a modern serpentine system, which is complete with a full set of polished pulleys and polished brackets, spins a chrome alternator and a chrome AC compressor at the sides of a chrome air cleaner that's equipped with a fresh re-usable filter element. Once air enters that filter, it flows from a polished 63mm Street and Performance throttle body through a chrome intake into completely stock internals. High octane fossils are provided by a GM electronic fuel injection system. Sparks are sequenced through factory replacement plug wires. Spent gases are whisked away by a slick pair of Street and Performance tubular headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a heavy duty polished aluminum radiator that's complete with two electric puller fans, two corrugated hoses, a polished overflow tank and a new chrome cap. While that smooth revving mill is ready to tear up any road you point it at, the engine itself isn't really the story. It's just there to move the truck's super slick paint from parking lot to parking lot; and with that in mind, it's artfully rendered in more cool House Of Kolor candy. The block's Sherwood Metallic casting combines with green detailed ancillary components and a body-matched engine bay to provide a finished look that would be right at home inside ANY show pavilion. And niceties such as custom painted fuel rail covers, high quality braided hoses, trick dipsticks and chrome hood hardware lend the modern small block a professional, finished appearance.

Crawling underneath this half ton reveals a solid frame that's sealed in a thick layer of House Of Kolor paint and, based on looks alone, appears to have lead an accident-free life post manufacture and a weather-free life post restoration. The dressed LS1's power flows from a rebuilt 4L60E 4-speed automatic to a shortened and chrome plated driveshaft which turns a sturdy Detroit Locker differential, 31 spline axles and stout 3.73 gears via a bagged and chromed Moser nine inch rear end. That mirror-like rear end pushes the truck on a chrome Total Cost Involved four link rear suspension that's complete with high quality coil over shocks. Tracking is provided by a chrome Total Cost Involved double A-arm front suspension which features Zig's tubular control arms and power rack and pinion steering. And quick stops are a cinch thanks to power four wheel disc brakes which utilize stainless lines and braided hoses to clamp chrome calipers around large vented rotors. At the center of the clean floors, a polished 2.75 inch true dual exhaust system breathes through throaty Magnaflow mufflers and trick stainless tips. At the edges of the clean floors, 18 and 20 inch Boyd Coddington wheels throw torque through 235/40 and 295/40 Kumho Ecsta Supra radials. And everything from the truck's frame-bound air and fuel lines to its floor mounted battery and master cylinder is well-planned, exceptionally executed and ready to let Air Ride Technologies' adjustable air suspension work its magic!

But the show doesn't stop there. Not by a long shot! That painted engine bay I mentioned earlier was just the start, because when you open this truck's shaved suicide doors, you'll find a beautifully sculpted tan leather cockpit that's fit for a car show king. Top dead center, a Sherwood Metallic dash hangs a vacuum fluorescent Dakota Digital instrument panel between a digital air pressure gauge and a remote controlled Pioneer CD/DVD player. In front of that dash a firm bench seat wears attractive, stainless trimmed leather which is mimicked by both the truck's headliner and speaker-laden kick panels. At the sides of that dash badass leather door panels, which feature slick billet door handles, mirror the truck's Passion Purple exterior stripes. Under that dash, fade-free leather floor panels prop Total Cost Involved foot pedals next to a small console that's complete with buttons for the truck's power windows, controls for the truck's Vintage Air climate system and a stylish Lokar floor shifter. And in front of the driver, a polished Ididit tilt steering column spins a 14 inch Billet Specialties steering wheel around a full set of billet accessory stalks.

Included with the sale of this cool old Chevy is a small stack of build receipts, a few component manuals, and a copy of the Custom Classic Truck's in which it was featured.

Someone invested a ton of time and money creating this head-turning half ton; and for our asking price, you'd be lucky to replicate its paint and body work alone. Don't miss this opportunity to own a super cool custom that you can drive comfortably and show with pride!