Summer of ‘69

When we buy something and hold on to it for a long time we tend to get attached. That’s what happened with Robert Kirkland when he bought his ‘69 Chevy C-10 pickup new in 1969! He used it as a service truck for his wrecking company for many years, and after it accumulated a few hundred thousand miles, the ol’ C-10 was parked in the wrecking yard. Some 20 years later, Robert decided it was time to restore it. Wondering which shop to take it to, a family friend recommended Vini Madrigal of Vini’s Hot Rods in Alabaster, Alabama.

Starting with the frame and suspension, the team at Vini’s removed the cab, fenders, bed, engine, transmission and rearend. Then the suspension was removed from the frame, and the bare frame was media blasted and painted gloss black. For a lowered front suspension, a pair of CPP 3-inch dropped spindles and springs was sandwiched between factory control arms. The rear suspension was lowered using the factory trailing arms and dropped coil springs. Stopping power was accomplished by installing a CPP master cylinder, power booster and disc brakes, both front and rear. Robert’s C-10 rolls on a set of chrome Torq Thrust ST 20 x 9 wheels that are covered in Bridgestone 295/30 rubber.

Under the hood we find an immaculate engine bay with smoothed firewall and inner fenders. The focal point is the built Chevy 350-ci smallblock that produces 400 lb-ft torque and 420 hp. Some of the exterior engine performance boltons include an Edelbrock polished aluminum intake manifold capped with an Edelbrock 650-cfm carburetor. A pair of polished billet aluminum valve covers and an air cleaner finish off the engine’s top end. A Power Master 150-amp alternator maintains the charging system. A Zoops billet pulley and bracket kit finish off the stylish engine. Burnt gasses are exhausted by a pair of Hooker Jet Hotcoated headers that collect into the 2 ½-inch-diameter exhaust system that continues into the Flowmaster mufflers. To eliminate any overheating issues, a Be Cool aluminum radiator and electric fan were installed. All of the hoses, vacuum lines and wiring were wrapped in stitched leather for a detailed custom touch. A built GM Turbo 350 automatic transmission was bolted up behind the engine.

The crew at Vini’s Hot Rods was also responsible for restoring the body by replacing the floor, body rockers, fenders, core support, bed floor, hood, tailgate and bed header panels with LMC components. The body moldings, tailgate handle, drip rails and stake pockets were shaved, filled and smoothed, and a smooth steel roll pan was welded on. Robert just couldn’t bear to shave the door handles. A pair of custom single light side markers are flush mounted with a stainless trim ring. The original grille was restored and received a billet insert before it was polished, while the original front bumper was restored then triple chromed. The factory steel bed floor received wooden planks that are separated with polished stainless stringers. The gas filler was installed into the bed floor. The original taillights and lenses were removed and replaced with an LED factory conversion kit. A pair of HID headlights was installed with new headlight bezels. The factory side window wing vents were removed and replaced with onepiece side windows. To eliminate any paint issues, all of the sheet metal was media blasted. Vini used BASF Black basecoat then buried it with six coats of BASF clear.

To maintain a clean interior, Vini removed the factory dash pad, shaved the ashtray and radio, and then painted the dash flat gray. The factory gauges were restored and reinstalled. Before laying down the new fresh black pile carpet, Dynamat sound deadening and thermal shielding tiles were laid down followed by the black leathercovered factory bench seat. The door panels were also covered in matching black leather, and Lokar crank door handles were clipped in. Also, a cool Lokar floor shifter was mounted to the Turbo 350 trans and covered with a black leather boot. For the ultimate in creature comforts, a Vintage Air system was installed. The audio was kept simple with just a Pioneer head unit in the radio dash location. A pair of Pioneer speakers was located in each of the door panels.

Richard Kirkland’s ’69 Chevy C-10 is a great example of resurrecting something from your past and giving it a second chance to be enjoyed. ST

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ROBERT KIRKLAND
1969 CHEVY C-10
ALABASTER, AL

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