One Killer Truck for Show and Street

THE BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER IS DEADLY WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE, AND SO IS THIS ’72 CHEVY C-10. With an aggressive stance, it can be intimidating on the show circuit, and with its supercharger, it can be a killer on the strip. We asked 29-year-old Mike Garcia of Edinburg, Texas, owner of the formidable C-10, why he built the truck, and his answer was simple, “…to honor my late father’s memory. He was a truck enthusiast and what better way to honor his memory than to build a truck he always wanted to restore.”

After searching for months, Mike finally found something that he could work with. Once he got the truck home he set it aside for awhile so that he could save up some cash and figure out a game plan. He wanted to build a truck that would make his father proud.

The suspension and drivetrain were the first areas he tackled. The modified and shortened rearend received a custom suspension that included a 4-link and wishbone. With big wheels planned for the build, Mike knew that he had to add reliable stopping power, so he included a set of Wilwood brakes. The front suspension was outfitted with A-arms set up for airbags and a set of Mcgaughy’s drop spindles.

The engine and engine compartment were next on the to-do list. In order to keep the firewall smooth and to allow the LS engine to shine, he had the the firewall completely shaved, including the brake booster; this was done by using a 7-inch brake booster and hidden bracket by Scott’s Hotrods. The 600-hp supercharged LS engine was cooled with a BeCool radiator and fan combo. A 4-inch MagnaFlow exhaust system lets the engine breathe. Airbrushed LS2 covers dress up the engine.

Once the engine and suspension were taken care of, Mike moved on to the body. Street Time Customs modified the stock hood by eliminating the front line. The crew narrowed the front and rear bumpers to complement the body, and one-piece, electric windows were incorporated into the truck doors. The door handles were updated with sunken in Corvette handles, which make the doors look smooth when viewed from the correct angle. The bed was molded smooth, and a bridge tunnel was added to cover the 22-inch Colorado Custom wheels. Body lines were also added near the doors. The interior, including the roof, was redone with sheet metal. Dakota Digital gauges were incorporated into the dash, and a double-DIN head unit was molded into the metal dash. With all of the metal work complete, the truck was ready for paint, so Street Time Customs sprayed PPG Porsche Cognac two-stage paint.

IN A NUTSHELL, THIS TRUCK WAS PUT TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES FROM AN AGGRESSIVE PERFORMANCE PACKAGE TO AN ELEGANT EXTERIOR THAT DRAWS ENOUGH ATTENTION WHEN IT MUST.”

Mike wanted the interior to serve as a focal point for this tribute to his dad, so he had Julio’s Upholstery build a custom console to house the Kicker woofer. Two Fosgate amplifiers power the DB Drive components in the custom kick panels and doors. Two captain’s chairs covered in King Ranch leather were added, and the overall interior was two-toned with engraved accents scattered throughout.

In a nutshell, this truck was put together with all of the bells and whistles from an aggressive performance package to an elegant exterior that draws enough attention when it must. This made for a perfect tribute to honor Mike’s father’s memory that couldn’t have been accomplished without the support of his friends and family.

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TRUCK SPECS

OWNER

Mike Garcia
1972 Chevrolet, C-10
Edinburg, Texas
Ground Zero

ENGINE

• GM Performance LS V-8 with Corvette covers
• F.A.S.T. 102mm Big Mouth throttle body
• BeCool aluminum radiator and electric fans
• ProCharger supercharger with engraved tubing
• Pace Setter headers
• 4-inch dual exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers
• Rebuilt 4L60E transmission
• 2,800-stall torque converter
• Two-piece driveshaft
• Custom aluminum gas tank

SUSPENSION

• Shop: Eddie’s Chop Shop
• McGaughy’s drop spindles
• Modified control arms
• Airbags
• Rear 4-link with wishbone
• Narrowed 12-bolt rearend with 3.73:1 gears
• Wilwood disc brakes
• 7-inch brake booster with Scott’s Hotrods under-dash mount
• Chrome air tanks with AVS mounting brackets

WHEELS & TIRES

• 22-inch Colorado Customs Copper Mountain billet wheels with engraved by Kustom Engraving by Bobby Flores
• Cooper 275/30R22 and 295/35R22 tires

BODY & PAINT

• Performed by: Alfredo Castillo of Street Time Customs
• PPG Porsche Cognac two-stage paint
• Stock hood with shaved front line and Porterbuilt hinges
• Narrowed front and rear bumpers
• One-piece electric windows
• Shaved front inner fenders and firewall
• Shaved mirrors, drip rail and cab seam
• Corvette door handles
• Fiberglass tonneau cover
• Shaved bed with notch cover

INTERIOR

• Shop: Julio’s Upholstery
• Electric bucket seats covered in King Ranch leather
• Custom door panels
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Colorado Customs steering wheel
• Lokar pedals
• Pioneer double-DIN head unit
• DB Drive speakers in kick panels and door pods
• Kicker Solo X subwoofer in custom center console
• PowerAcoustik amplifier
• Dynamat sound deadening material
• Two Optima yellow top batteries

SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE OWNER: “I want to give special thanks to my family who supported me throughout the build, especially my wife, who understood the purpose of the build. My GroundZero family, who talked me out of selling my truck when it got too frustrating to finish. They helped me understand that not everything comes easy. To my buddy Heriberto Rodriguez, who was there from the very beginning of it all. Alfredo Castillo and all his guys who worked endless hours to give the truck the mirror finish. Bobby Flores, who laid some wicked engraving on the wheels and pipes. Alfonso and Julio, for the sick interior they accomplished. The guys over At Eagle Racing, and finally Jorge Cantu (chicken) who helped the truck come to life.”

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