Todd Collins’ Scissor-Hinged ’71

When most folks dream of building a classic Chevy truck, they think of patina, a swap meet small-block, and maybe an air ride setup. Todd Collins from Palmerston North, New Zealand, however, had something else in mind. His 1971 C10 is a scissor-hinged, beer-cooler-bed, full-frame-custom kinda ride—and it’s turning heads from the Beach Hop show in New Zealand all the way to SEMA. Todd always wanted to build a C10, so he linked up with Kruzin Kustoms to lay out a plan and get to work. What came out the other end after 2-1/2 years is a wild blend of old-school charm and modern fabrication that looks factory clean but hits hard in every custom category.

Modern Muscle Meets Old Metal

Under the hood is a modern 6.2L LS V-8 from a 2020 Chevy that is hooked to a TCI 4L80 trans and converter. The mill breathes through Ultimate Headers Block Huggers, and dumps into a 3-inch stainless system. A billet drive system keeps the front of the engine tight, and there’s even a custom cold air box to keep things cool. The power heads back through a custom 2-piece driveshaft with a billet hanger bearing, into a Ford 9-inch rear with 3.25 gears and limited-slip. Wilwood 6-piston 13-inch brakes up front and 12.19-inch discs at the rear handle stopping duties with hydroboost backup.

Slamming Without Sacrificing Style

The chassis is next-level. A Heidts IFS front clip was grafted two inches up into the frame. The back? A Porterbuilt Fab rear clip—fully laid out and ready for the show or the strip. The frame rides on Firestone air bags, Ridetech Shockwaves and shocks all around. It’s adjustable, it’s clean, and it lays frame just right.

It’s not just a pretty face.  It’s a driver, a showpiece, and a damn fine piece of craftsmanship.

The body has been shaved down clean—no badges, no trim, no scuttle (wiper) panel. Even the deck has been tricked out with Kruzin Kustoms scissor hinges, revealing a beer cooler and a smoothed-out bed floor underneath. Chalk white paint keeps it timeless. It’s the details that seal the deal.

All Class—Inside and Out

The cab is simple but rich. A leather bench in green upholstery stitched by Elite Motor Trimmers in Hamilton sits under a clean dash with Budnik gauges and a JVC sound system. Todd wanted it clean, simple, and functional—and that’s what he got.

From winning Top 5 at Beach Hop New Zealand (twice) to showing out at SEMA 2023 and Dino’s Git Down, Todd’s truck has made waves across the globe. It’s not just a pretty face. It’s a driver, a showpiece, and a damn fine piece of craftsmanship.

OWNER

Todd Collins
1971 Chevrolet C10
Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

2020 Chevy 6.2L LS V-8
Ultimate Headers Block Huggers
Billet Specialties front drive system
Custom cold air box
TCI 4L80 transmission with shift kit
Lokar AxiShift shifter
TCI converter
Ford 9-inch rearend with 3.25 gears and limited-slip
Custom 2-piece driveshaft with billet center hanger

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

Heidts IFS with custom tube crossmember grafted 2 inches into chassis
Porterbuilt Fab rear clip
Firestone Air bags
Ridetech Shockwaves and shocks
Custom alloy fuel tank

BODY & PAINT

Chalk White paint by Justin @ Kruzin Kustoms, Palmerston North
Shaved indicators, scuttle (wiper) panel, trim, badges
Kruzin Kustoms scissor-hinged deck
Smoothed bed with hidden beer cooler

INTERIOR

Bench seat with green leather upholstery by Elite Motor Trimmers, Hamilton, New Zealand
Budnik steering wheel
JVC stereo

WHEELS & TIRES

US Mags ‘Rio Grande’ wheels – 20-inch front and 24-inch rear
405/25/24 Pirelli tires (rear)