Up next Full Event Coverage | 2019 Global Auto Salon Published on April 15, 2020 Author streettrucks Tags '55-59, AccuAir E-Level, Billet Specialties, Chuck Velazco, ChuckSee, Chucksee 88s, Dakota Digital, fleetside, Greening Auto Company, GSI Machine & Fabrication, Jorge's Upholstery, Tricky Air Bed Shocks, vintage, Vintage Air, Wilwood brakes, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 Fly ’55 | Chucksee’s ’55 Chevy 3100 There was a time when Chuck Velazco was almost strictly known as an up-and-coming builder of unique, custom motorcycles. For the past few years, however, Chuck has been on a classic truck kick and has been turning out old slammed GMs as often as possible. So, of course, now he’s known as an up-and-coming builder of unique, custom trucks! His latest is this ’55 Chevy 3100, which spent most of its life doing railroad work in North Dakota before Chuck got a hold of it. Amazingly, the truck had just recently been retired from service, and so it was up for grabs. Now, living in Florida, Chuck had to take a leap of faith to buy it sight-unseen, but his gamble paid off with a worn but clean classic Chevy that ran great! Truthfully, though, it didn’t matter too much that the truck was a runner, as he already had some big plans that far surpassed what the respectable-yet-anemic 235-cubic-inch inline-six was capable of. But first, the truck needed some ground-level reengineering. CHUCK BUILT THE CUSTOM ROOF RACK HIMSELF AND ADDED A VINTAGE SUITCASE FOR EXTRA BAG SWAG. YEAH, THE TRUCK HAS A BED TO PUT STUFF IN—SO WHAT? Chuck is a firm believer that in order to build a stellar truck, you have to start with a solid foundation that is made to last. As a GSI Machine & Fabrication dealer under his Chucksee brand, it was a no-brainer to use one of the company’s latest offerings-a complete, custom, laser-cut air ride-equipped chassis made specifically for ’55-59 GM trucks! With that one move, Chuck set himself up with a proper ride and proper handling, while being able to instantly flatten the truck on the ground at the tap of a button on the AccuAir e-Level controller. The trick 22-inch wheels on the ’55 were built by Greening Auto Company to Chuck’s specs and were dubbed Chucksee 88s due to the eight spoke/eight window design.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter PEEKING FROM BEHIND THOSE FRONT 22-INCH CHUCKSEE 88 BILLET WHEELS ARE SIX-PISTON DRILLED AND SLOTTED WILWOOD BRAKES. THE REARS RECEIVED FOUR-POT WILWOODS. To further show off the chassis’ unique aesthetic, Chuck had it and its crossmembers powdercoated in contrasting Wimbledon White and black pigments. This was a bold decision that paid off, and the colors showcase the frame’s and suspension’s high-tech attributes in a slick and classy way. And to make sure that everything is visible and easily accessible, Chuck hinged the bed floor so that it could be raised by remote using a pair of Tricky Air Bed Shocks. IN TOTAL, IT TOOK CHUCK JUST OVER 11 MONTHS TO FINISH THE TRUCK, AND WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH IT COST TO BUILD THE TRUCK, HE SIMPLY REPLIED, “EIGHT QUARTS OF SWEAT!” While we’re on the topic of beds, this would be a good time to mention that Chuck actually swapped out the original stepside bed for a later ’58-59 Fleetside unit. Yeah, the bed looks like it’s been teamed up with the ’55 cab since Day 1, but Fleetsides weren’t a thing until ’58. The swap was convincingly pulled off by carefully matching the patina finish with single-stage Sea Mist Green and India Ivory paint, and some careful faux weathering. ONE OF THE TRICKEST FEATURES OF THIS ’55 IS THE BATTERY TENDER PORT THAT WAS INSTALLED BEHIND THE ORIGINAL FUEL CAP, WHICH ALLOWS CHUCK TO KEEP THE BATTERY TOPPED OFF DURING EXTENDED STINTS IN THE GARAGE. As “vintage” as the exterior of the truck looks, Chuck wanted the engine compartment to be just as clean as the spotless chassis. A 2018 GM LS3 was bolted in with GSI mounts and “retro-fied” with some ’55-era Chevrolet script valve covers using Billet Specialties adapters. The 4L65E transmission was treated to a 2,000-rpm stall converter at Poppy’s Transmission, which allows the engine to wind up a bit more before shifting into a higher gear. The interior, on the other hand, is a methodical mix of old and new, using a custom-upholstered bench from Jorge’s Upholstery in Miami, along with fresh carpet and a Vintage Air system, and even a Bluetooth stereo. The most trick part in our opinion, though is the Dakota Digital RTX gauge cluster, which looks almost stock at first glance but offers high-tech monitoring of the truck’s vitals. In total, it took Chuck just over 11 months to finish the truck, and when asked how much it cost to build the truck, he simply replied, “Eight quarts of sweat!” While that wasn’t the answer we were necessarily looking for, isn’t it the perfect representation of the love we all have for our old trucks?
Juanky Built's 1953 Ford F-100! A Custom Masterpiece Blending Classic Style and Modern Flair Supply and Demand WHEN IT COMES TO custom trucks, the aftermarket rules the land—and that sets the consumer up for a little Economics 101 and […] HUMBERTO ORTIZ March 21, 2024 F100 Builders F100 Builders Guide Features Latest Uncategorized
Rusty Nail, Dewey Dougherty’s 1965 International Loadstar “My wife had seen this 1965 International Loadstar for sale, and she fell in love with it immediately,” Dewey says. “She envisioned the truck done […] John Mata Jr. April 19, 2022 Blood Sweat and Gears Department Editor Features HEADLINE Latest Reader Rides
"A Slice of Orange" An online Exclusive Feature At the age of 14, Hershel Newman purchased his first Car for $50. Hard to believe he still has this 1950 Ford Today. Some might […] Adam Johnson October 19, 2021 America Blood Sweat and Gears c10 C10 Builders Guide Editor F100 Builders F100 Builders Guide Features HEADLINE OBS Builders Guide Podcast Reader Rides Truck Reviews Uncategorized
72 Staxx | A 520hp, 1972 Chevrolet 2WD K5 rolling on 26" wheels! When Frank Nuñez of Phoenix told his friends that he wanted to build a 1967-72 C-10 Blazer on 24s and 26s, many told him that […] Chris Hamilton December 17, 2020 c10 C10 Builders Guide Department Features HEADLINE Industry News Latest Profiles Reader Rides Truck Reviews Uncategorized