A C-10 Tribute Built in Memory

Having something tangible to see and touch that reminds you of a lost loved one helps keep their memory alive, especially when that object is a tribute that ties into one of the passions they helped cultivate. The Jones family from Selma, California, especially trucks. An ’80 Chevrolet C-10 was the first brand-new truck that Jones patriarch Brian had ever owned. He customized it, including lowering the truck and outfitting it with a set of wire wheels complete with knockoffs. He shared his love of custom vehicles and trucks with his sons, Travis and Casey. When Brian passed away, the guys wanted to build a tribute vehicle in memory of their father, and they began a search for a suitable truck the same year. Their goal was to mimic the truck their father had built, but bring it into the modern age.

The exterior of the C-10 was kept mostly factory in line with their father’s original truck. The trim and bumpers were restored and the rear tailgate insert was polished. A set of One-Piece Products windows was installed, and Carlos Marron made a custom set of stainless steel hood hinges to clear the custom-made wheel tubs. Most of the sheet metal modifications took place in the custom bed. Choppin’ Block created a trick sheet metal bed floor with extended wheel tubs and a flush gas filler. Then the truck was taken over to Wally’s Collision Center where Walter Pena sprayed it PPG Saddle Metallic, the same color code as the truck that belonged to their father.

The suspension laid the truck flat on the ground. The crew at Choppin’ Block performed a 2 ¼-inch Z to the front of the frame with a 2 x 4-inch backhalf custom frame using a 4-link setup, and the factory rearend was narrowed 2 inches on each side. Up front, a set of Choppin’ Block control arms keeps McGaughys drop spindles in line, complete with 14.5-inch ABS power brakes controlled by an ABS power brake billet electric hydroboost in order to bring the custom wheels to a quick halt. Travis and Casey wanted the billet wheels to have a modern twist but incorporate some of the styling that was on their father’s original truck. Raceline custom designed the wheels and produced a knockoff-style center cap reminiscent of the wire wheels but with hot rod flair. The 22 x 8.5- and 22 x 12-inch billets were wrapped in 245/35 and 305/30 Pirelli tires.

The 350 SBC was machined at Reedley College and assembled by Steve Spurrier for extra power. The motor was topped with a polished Edelbrock intake manifold and carb with a painted-to-match Cadillac bat-wing-style air cleaner for a retro touch. Mr. Gasket Chevrolet valve covers complete the retro styling. A Zoops billet serpentine pulley system with polished components finishes things off in the dress-up department, while a set of JBA headers leads to a custom-built stainless exhaust by Carlos, which uses Magnaflow mufflers to supply some power. A Ron Francis 18-circuit kit powers everything up along with an Optima Yellow Top battery.

Like the outside, the interior was kept fairly factory in style with some subtle custom touches throughout. Raudel Jacobo at Big Daddy’s Custom Upholstery chopped down the factory bench seat and wrapped it, the dash, door panels and headliner in a mix of Saddle leather and vinyl. A Vintage Air A/C kit was installed to keep things cool while cruising the Central Valley. A set of Dakota Digital gauges sits behind a custom Raceline steering wheel that matches the billet wheels. Lastly, Dave De Leon and Robert Reilly at Looney Tunez Car Audio installed a custom stereo system, first, laying down a layer of Boom Mat. A Pioneer head unit supplies tunes to the Hybrid Audio Imagine 6.5-inch speakers, and Digital Designs 6.5-inch subwoofers behind the seat in a custom enclosure also feature a billet Boss Man logo, the family nickname for their father. Arc Audio XDI804 and XDI1000 amplifiers power the speakers.

With the truck completed and serving as a rolling tribute to their father, the family is looking to pass it and the love of custom vehicles on to the next generation. A custom-matching chopper is in the works as well. The tribute build could not have been accomplished without the help of Walter Pena, Rene Resendez, Carlos Marron, Vince and Joe Lombardi, and of course, the rest of the Jones family. ST

---

CASEY & TRAVIS JONES
1980 Chevrolet C-10
Selma, CA
Aftermath

TRUCK SPECS

ENGINE

• 350 V-8 SBC
• Edelbrock carburetor
• Cadillac air cleaner
• Zoops billet serpentine pulley system
• JBA headers
• Magnaflow exhaust
• Vintage Air system

SUSPENSION

• 2 ¼-inch Z’d front frame
• Choppin’ Block control arms
• McGaughys drop spindles
• 4-link
• ABS power brakes 14.5-inch rotors

WHEELS

• 22 x 8.5- and 22 x 12-inch Raceline billet wheels
• 245/35 NS 305/30 Pirelli Tires

BODY

• Custom sheet metal bed
• One-Piece Products glass kit
• Custom stainless steel hood hinges
• PPG Saddle Metallic

INTERIOR

• Chopped bench seat
• Saddle leather and vinyl
• Raceline steering wheel
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Arc Audio and Digital Designs sound system
• Ron Francis wiring

---