In the current landscape of custom classic Chevy trucks, it takes a lot to capture the attention of the audience. It takes even more work to maintain that attention once you have it, but that only increases the demand for cooler, more unique projects. In the end, those who are willing to put in the extra effort to build something new and unique stand to reap the most benefits, but we’d have to argue that the truck community as a whole gains the most from this type of boundary-pushing pickup.
The buzz around trucks like this ’67 crew cab C10 owned by Bob Ward Jr. and Kelly Ward of Mansfield, Texas, creates excitement at the biggest shows around the country, which in turn makes for anticipation to see them artistically photographed for various media outlets from digital to print formats. Of course, it’s fun to wait and see which builder will be the next to try to top said truck’s success but we won’t move that far ahead so quickly as we will fully stop to appreciate this current work of art while it’s right here in front of us.
Studious enthusiasts will recognize that GM never created a crew cab C10 in this era. That alone will speak of the quality of fabrication work required to pull this off without the truck looking like a discombobulated, disproportionate mess at the end of the day. Bob and his wife were quite adamant about their custom truck turning out absolutely killer, which is why they entrusted the outcome of their project to Hill’s Hot Rods of Lubbock, Texas. “To be honest, Jason Hill of Hill’s Hot Rods wanted to build this truck for us”, Bob admits. “Of course, I wanted him to build this truck for us too, and we had more than enough confidence and love for his past builds that we let him have free reign to fabricate the entire build to his specs.”
In order to create a four-door cab that can successfully fit into a C10 silhouette, Jason and his team started with a ’72 three-door Suburban, made the necessary alterations by affixing pickup parts to the rear of the cab in order to end up with the now existing crew cab. While there was no original bed to begin with, the guys sourced a complete bed-in-a-box kit from Mr. C10, along with a steel hood that they would utilize later on.
A ton of hours was sunk into shaping and gapping all the non-native parts to jive peacefully together but it all worked out splendidly, obviously. The bedsides were lengthened in order to align them with the rockers better, and an adjustable panel within the bed floor allows access to the air suspension components and handy storage trunk lurking below. To further clean up the truck’s all-around profile, the front and rear bumpers were then tucked in as much as possible to tidy up both ends.
The final touches on the exterior came with the mixing and applying of the one-off PPG orange-tinted yellow and cream hues. This combination is as timeless as it gets. To build upon on the truck’s sophisticated restyled exterior, Fesler USA flush-mounted front and rear glass increasingly smooth out the one-off cab’s appearance. The Hill’s team was now looking at a prime crew cab C10 example that would only get better as the build process stretched on.
While on the topic of things that are stretched, the guys then placed an order for a custom, slightly longer in length SPEC chassis from Roadster Shop to sit underneath the truck. The new frame would work perfectly for the low altitude cruising Bob and Kelly had in mind for their truck, so nothing but the best in air components were collected to promote the cushiest ride quality and ease of adjustability. Firestone ‘bags, Ridetech HQ Series shocks, and AccuAir’s ultimate air management kit were all plumbed and wired to create a smooth flowing, low rolling chassis system for the C10. 22-inch Raceline Alamo wheels and Nitto NT420V rubber have been combined to round out and meet the Chevy’s clean styling and the soon-to-come performance upgrades, which first included reliable stopping power thanks to Baer and Master Power braking components.
Nothing short of a GM Performance LS 6.2L crate engine would suffice for this truck. Actually, that power plant alone was still not enough power since the guys called for the inclusion of a Magnuson HeartBeat 2.3L supercharger to top it off. A Stage 3 A41 overdrive automatic unit from Silver Sport Transmission was soon mated to the LS engine that can be changed from a gas-saving economy mode to performance mode with the flip of a switch! Bob and Kelly are sure to cruise a little easier with better access to all the power placed underneath the hood.
With the project taking shape at a steady pace, the truck quickly reached the point of the interior overhaul. To help dial it in, Mario’s Trim Shop and JD Glass Works teamed up to handle the bulk of the inner cab landscaping. Fesler was once again sourced to provide the front and rear seating, door panels, gauge pods and dash pad. Mario’s came through with their highly sought-after upholstery work, which features nothing but the highest quality Apex leather and color matching trim. The dash was smoothed and outfitted with Dakota Digital gauges, a LinksWell audio receiver, as well as custom vents to deliver the cold blowing airflow from the Vintage Air A/C system. Jimmy D at JD Glass Works wired up the Kicker sound system to ensure Bob and Kelly’s road trips are always scored by their favorite playlists.
This particular build lasted 10 months leading up to a debut at SEMA 2022. Well, the truck was delivered in time, and Bob and Kelly were formally introduced to their high-profile Chevy truck build at the same time as the general public, which only added to their experience. “Knowing what the truck started from, which was just a cab and doors, we couldn’t wait to see in person what Jason and his team created from there”, Bob says. “Having our ’67, which we have named Geoffrey, inside Fesler’s booth within Hot Rod Alley at the SEMA show was an unforgettable time that we will never forget. Jason did an incredible job. His team and trusted friends and associates delivered on every single item we wanted to see done to our truck. There is not one single thing we would change.”
BOB WARD JR. & KELLY WARD ‘67 C10 Crew Cab
- GM Performance LS 6.2L 430HP
- Magnuson Heartbeat 2.3L supercharger from Texas Speed
- Ultimate Headers 2-inch primaries, 3-inch collectors
- Borla 3-inch stainless exhaust w/ Sportsman XR1 muffler
- Lokar, Billet Specialties and Wegner Automotive engine dress-up parts
- A41 Stage 3 transmission by Silver Sport Transmissions, Rockford, TN
- SST torque converter
- Gennie shifter and bracket
- Custom build driveshaft by Driveline Express, Lubbock, TX
- Roadster Shop SPEC chassis
- Raised bed floor w/ center lid
- Complete trunk and storage under lid
- Firestone ‘bags
- Ridetech HQ Series shocks
- AccuAir ultimate air management kit
- Roadster Shop 9-inch rear end
- Baer brakes
- Master Power Billet X master cylinder and Carbon X booster
- Lokar pedal assembly
- 22x8.5 and 22x12 Raceline Alamo
- 265/35R22 and 325/35R22 Nitto NT420V tires
- Mr. C10 complete bed in a box and steel hood
- Rear bedsides sectioned to match up w/ front height
- Sectioned and pancaked hood center bodyline
- Classic Parts of America grille and insert, headlights and LED taillights
- Bodywork and paint by Hill’s Hot Rods, Lubbock, TX
- Pinched and sectioned front bumper, custom rear bumper
- Orange/yellow/cream paint colors
- Lokar Goolsby Edition door handles
- Fesler USA flush mount front and rear glass, dash pad and bucket and bench seats
- Shaved and modified factory dash w/ Fesler dash pad
- Smoked glass, dash vents and stereo install by Jimmy D at JD Glass Works, Lubbock, TX
- Dakota Digital gauges
- Billet Specialties steering wheel
- Apex leather Legends Wild Horses leather upholstery by Mario’s Trim Shop, Lubbock, TX
- LinksWell 9-inch receiver
- Kicker front speakers, rear speakers, subwoofers, and amps
- Vintage Air A/C
- Hushmat sound deadener
- Ron Francis wiring