HIGH SCHOOL HIGH

For Chanler Towler, it all started back in high school. Among the crowd of classmates and after-school routines, one thing caught his eye: his football coach’s 1971 Chevrolet C10 long bed. With its original paint and no-nonsense stance, the truck stood out.

“I’d drive it around town to haul gear for the team,” Chanler recalls. “It wasn’t just a truck. It had a presence. Something about the way it sounded and the way it felt stuck with me. I guess you could say I was hooked from that point on.”

Years later, after his time in the Army, Chanler set out to find a C10 of his own. The search stretched over a year as he sifted through listings, studied photos, and imagined what it would be like to finally get behind the wheel. Then he found it.

A clean 1971 C10 turned up in southern Alabama, but distance was an issue. Chanler didn’t let that stop him. He tracked down a third-party inspector in the area and had the truck checked out the same day he found the listing. When the inspector gave it a solid review, Chanler pulled the trigger. He bought the truck without seeing it in person and had it shipped to his home in McLoud, Oklahoma.

“I remember the day it showed up,” Chanler says. “It felt like Christmas morning. Watching it roll off the trailer was something else. Just what I’d hoped for.”

For the next few months, Chanler drove it all over Oklahoma, enjoying the familiar feel of an old Chevy. But there was one problem. The factory air conditioning. Oklahoma’s brutal summer heat made it clear the system couldn’t keep up, so Chanler started looking for a solution.

That search led him to Kyle Gambrel at Laid Back Recreations, a shop known for turning old trucks into modern cruisers. “After talking with Kyle, I knew I was in good hands,” Chanler says. “Once I saw some of his other builds, I realized I wanted to do more than just fix the AC. I wanted to take this truck to the next level.”

What began as a simple upgrade turned into a full makeover. Kyle and his team put their skills to work, improving the truck’s performance, comfort, and overall look.

Today, Chanler’s C10 is more than just a nod to his high school days. It’s a sharp, well-built machine that blends vintage style with modern reliability. Every drive is a thrill, with a powerful engine and clean lines that always draw attention.

“It’s just plain fun to drive,” Chanler says. “People are always stopping to ask about it or share their own truck stories. It’s funny how this old Chevy brings people together.”

For Chanler, the C10 is more than a truck. It’s a reminder of where he’s been, a dream fulfilled, and proof that some things are worth the wait. From hauling football gear to cruising Oklahoma highways, this truck’s been part of his story every step of the way.