A Classic GMC Funded by Fuel and Built on Dad’s Influence

The addiction to custom cars and trucks is usually a passion that burns stronger as time vehicles of their youth are what shape their gearhead future. Metal makes memories, and years of surrounding yourself with certain lines and trim make you want to relive days past. It gets in your blood. For Neil Tomyn the 1967-72 GM pickup trucks feature the curves and metal lines of his youth; his father drove a ‘68 GM short-bed fleetside for 18 years. With nearly two decades of classic Bowtie influence coming from dear old dad, it’s no surprise that Neil would want to follow in his footsteps. Plus, as a gas field operator in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada, Neil’s addiction is financially fed by fuel.

With several past builds on the Tomyn hot rodding resumé, including a ’67 Chevy truck, ’57 Chevy Bel Air, ’68 Chevy Truck, ’65 Chevy and a ’64 GMC, including a plethora of 1967-72 GM trucks over the years, there is no doubt that Neil is a full throttle enthusiast. We bet Neil could reassemble a 1967-72 GM truck blindfolded.

In the spring of 2008 Neil found the truck he had been longing for since he was a kid. A ‘68 GMC short bed fleetside surfaced and had the perfect bones for a project truck. A deal was struck, and with a trailer in tow, Neil went to retrieve his new project. The frame was straight and solid, so a C-notch was cut to provide extra clearance for a 1972 GM 12-bolt rearend stuffed with an Eaton Posi unit and 3.73 gears saddled with CPP disc brakes. Factory trailing arm rear suspension topped with Firestone airbags and controlled by Ride Tech shocks brings the GMC’s backside down to earth. Up front CPP tubular control arms, Western 2.5-inch drop spindles, Firestone airbags coupled with a CPP quick ratio steering box, CPP billet master cylinder, CPP power booster and EBC brakes take care of the stance, steering and stopping of this classic GM. Stainless brake lines and air lines provide fluid and oxygen transfer, while 20 x 8.5-inch front and 20 x 10-inch rear bonspeed Clutch billet wheels wrapped in 255/45 and 295/45 rear Yokohama Parada Spec-X tires do the pavement trampling. A 20-gallon aluminum fuel cell mounted under the bed between the frame rails sends octane cocktails to the raspy small-block, while an Optima yellow top battery provides cranking power.

For power Neil wanted a reliable mill that would put the power down when he wanted it. A 1970 GM 350 was sent to CKRE Racing Engines in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and fit with a SCAT crank, Eagle H-beam rods and JE flat top forged pistons. A Comp Cams bump stick produces the requisite rumble, while a Pete Jackson gear drive contributes to the stoplight attitude of the pavement-shaking small-block. Dart Sportsman II cylinder heads get the power flowing through Doug’s 1 5/8-inch headers and 2.5-inch exhaust tipped by a Flowmaster 40 series muffler. A full Comp Cams roller valvetrain pulls double duty in the heads and the valley, while an Edelbrock Super Victor intake topped by a FAST EZEE EFI sends fuel and air on demand to the well-tuned SBC. A full MSD electronic ignition system takes commands from Neil’s itchy trigger finger. Backing the 440-horse small-block and transferring the 410 lb-ft of torque to Neil’s asphalt playground of choice is a 1989 TCI 700R4 transmission fit with a TCS 2800 stall speed converter, billet TCS valve body and TCS shift kit. Steve Tobler custom-built the transmission topping it with a Lokar shifter for easy gear selection and connecting the drivetrain dots with a 3-inch ATS steel driveshaft.

For the truck’s envelope Neil wanted to retain the original trim and chrome he remembered from his youth. The factory metal was straightened to perfection and covered in GM 506 medium blue by Rick Parker in Calgary. Fresh glass from Brothers Trucks was installed and the bed was filled with maple bed wood cut, sanded, stained and installed by Darrin Oberton. Fresh trim, chrome, emblems and lights complete the restored picture.

For the interior the theme was simple and clean. Factory ’68 buddy buckets with console were wrapped in black leather and bolted down over GM factory loop carpet. Cascade Vans & Upholstery in Calgary, Alberta, handled the stitch work. Auto Meter gauges and a Billet Specialties Vintec billet steering wheel make up the driver’s view. For cruising comfort a Vintage Air climate control system was installed and to fill the eardrums with goodness a Pioneer head unit backed by two 500-watt Sony amplifiers, two 10-inch subwoofers, two 6-inch midrange speakers and a pair of 6 x 9s behind the seat get the cab rocking.

Ever since the truck was completed Neil has been showing it non-stop and has picked up numerous awards for his efforts at Goodguys and Super Chevy shows, as well as Street Trucks Editor’s pick at the Dropsicle’s Sideshow show.

Now that Ol’ Blue is finished, Neil has realized his dream of owning a ‘68 GMC short-bed fleet side truck, and he relives his memories of his dad’s truck every time he puts the 700R4 into gear. It’s like Neil is a kid again, except this time he gets to drive. Neil would like to thank Joe, Darren Oberton, Justin, Chris, Rick Parker, Steve Tobler, CKRE Racing Engines and Cascade Vans & Upholstery. ST

---

NEIL TOMYN
1968 GMC
AIRDRIE, ALBERTA, CANADA

TRUCK SPECS

ENGINE

• CKRE RACING ENGINES 360 SBC
• BILLET SPECIALTIES DRESS-UP ITEMS
• CUSTOM 700R4 BY STEVE TOBLER
• PAINLESS WIRING

SUSPENSION

• FIRESTONE AIRBAGS
• RIDE TECH SHOCKS
• CPP CONTROL ARMS
• CPP BRAKES

BODY

• 20X8- AND 20X10-INCH BONSPEED CLUTCH
• 255/45 AND 295/45 YOKOHAMA PARADA SPEC-X

WHEELS

• GM506 MEDIUM BLUE
• FACTORY CHROME BUMPERS AND TRIM

INTERIOR

• BLACK LEATHER ’68 FACTORY BUDDY BUCKETS
• AUTOMETER PHANTOM GAUGES
• BILLET SPECIALTIES VINTEC STEERING WHEEL

---