Garage King

When we caught up with Robert Carpenter in Louisville at the Street Rod Nationals, he had just bagged the Best Home Built award at the C10 Nationals in Texas. This award, in particular, is of interest to us because so many of us build these trucks in our own shop or garage. We wanted to hear more about Robert’s build, so we got his story while we were hanging out in Louisville. His pride and excitement in this truck really beams when you talk to him about it, and rightfully so. He built much of this 1970 C10 in his own garage over the course of two years.

 

Robert started with what amounted to a bare chassis and cab. After having them blasted, he replaced the usual cab corners and rockers, and powder coated the chassis which was in great shape. Much of the metal is new because it didn’t come with the truck, but there are a few subtle tweaks to add a custom touch. The custom firewall was done by G-Man Racecraft in Pasadena, Texas. Custom inner fenders and core support were all custom fabricated. Front bumper turn signals were filled, and the bumpers were tucked and fitted. The shaved hood has a 4” cowl induction scoop that is welded in and the gas filler was relocated off the B-pillar. Custom marker lamps and an eggcrate grille from a 1971 set off the custom touches. Once all of the all of the body lines and gaps were perfect, Robert had the professionals at International Paint and Body of Friendswood, Texas, step in and apply the PPG Boyd Coddington Red and Almond.

 

Robert stripped the chassis of extra mounts, then fully boxed and reinforced everything. He installed the RideTech tubular A-arms and sway bar, Shockwaves, and 13” Wilwood six-piston calipers. In the rear he has matching Shockwave rear suspension with a Eaton posi GM 12-bolt, Moser axles, 3.73 Richmond gears. It’s all powered by a White Racing Engines 383ci stroker SB-Chevy with full length Sanderson headers and a March serpentine system. The entire build is rolling on Billet Specialties BLVD Series 84 wheels (20×8” Front/22×10” Rear) wrapped in Nitto rubber.

 

When it came to the interior, he had a little more help from the professionals at Five Star Upholstery in League City, Texas. After smoothing out the dash, they added a leather pad, custom mini center console, interior LED lighting, and all of the almond leather stitching. Robert ran American Autowire throughout and listens to his favorite country station on the Custom Auto Sound radio.