Within every genre of truck make and model, there is a subset of very specialized specimens that are far more sought after than the rest. Limited edition runs and exclusive trim packages coexist amongst the masses of ‘regular’ run-of-the-mill production models, and they each have their own dedicated crowd of aficionados who know everything about them and keep a very close watch when one pops up for sale. When Jeff Volker set out to search for a clean Chevy OBS pickup several years ago, he didn’t use any search filters to track down a specific trim level. He only needed a truck that was clean inside and out to serve as a solid foundation for a very mild project build – that’s it. What he found was something much more special than he ever anticipated.
Those who are familiar with the Indy 500 Pace Truck variant C1500 that was released back in 1993 know there were only 1,534 of them ever produced. This limited number has made them highly collectible, especially with the GM OBS truck craze that has exploded over the last few years. There are collectors out there who deliberately search for these trucks, but Jeff just happened to luck out when he stumbled upon his. “It was a clean, southern rust-free truck, and that’s all that drew me into it at the start”, he admits.
With that strike of luck on his side, Jeff began the process of customizing the limited-edition truck as he initially intended. His original plan was to lay it out on top of 22/24-inch wheels, add an LS1 engine, a blower, and upgraded brakes. The recipe was simple, and the necessary list of ingredients to get the job done were relatively straightforward. Jeff was content with his then ideal vision of his truck until the day he learned about one soon-to-be-released aftermarket product that would completely alter the path his project was on. “After I got word of Roadster Shop announcing the LowPro chassis designed specifically for OBS trucks, I instantly knew I just had to have one”, he says. “I dropped everything I was working on and waited for what was the ultimate chassis system for my truck.”
Jeff placed his order for the LowPro chassis quick enough to nab the second one ever produced, which shows just how excited he was about picking back up on his Indy Pace Truck project. Since Jeff had some time before the frame for his Chevy would be completed, he shopped around and landed on a staggered set of 22×8 and 24×10.5 Billet Specialties Blvd 83 wheels. The split spoke design lends a timeless, sporty look to the truck, which matches its overall aesthetic right down to the core. Nitto NT420V tires were also added to the mix for their good looks and performance capabilities that were designed to shine on the streets and track alike. Next, Jeff ordered 16-inch brake kits from Little Shop MFG to bring the truck to a smooth, controlled halt. The calipers were sent out smoothed so Thad Cunningham of Icon Sign Co. could immediately paint the Indy Pace Truck logo on the face of each one – a great addition to truck’s detailing.
Even though Jeff’s plan of installing a simple air suspension system evolved into something much larger than he could’ve imagined at the start of the project, he remained true to the roots of the build by still including an LS under the hood. He reached out to Texas Speed & Performance to stroke the 6.0L to 408ci, include a 2.9L Whipple blower, a DeWitt’s radiator, and a Wegner accessory drive into the engine swap. A set of Ultimate Headers was also utilized in the process, but more importantly, Jeff was able to secure Josh Hart of Hart Fabrication in Freedom, Pennsylvania, to not only create a 3-inch stainless exhaust system, but to also knock out a heavy list of impressive body mods starting with encasing the fully built and dressed LS within one-off sheetmetal paneling. The work in the engine bay was just a sampling of just how large Hart Fab’s contribution to the project would soon become.
Though Jeff is an autobody and paint shop owner, he entrusted Josh Hart to handle the body mods on his OBS project. While at the Hart Fab compound, the Chevy’s tailgate handle was shaved clean off, the stake pocket holes were expertly filled, and the rear bumper was modified for a much sleeker appearance. The bed was also treated to custom detailing in the form of custom paneling along all walls and both wheel tubs, as well as three access panels in the floor that allow easy access to the chassis system below. Jeff even told us that “this truck wouldn’t be anywhere near the level it’s at without the talented hands of Josh Hart.”
With all the fab work done, Jeff performed all the necessary gap and prep work to ensure every panel was on the truck was perfectly aligned before he painted the entirety of the truck and applied the Indy Pace Truck decal kits from Phoenix Graphics to each side. Even though the exterior of the Chevy was coming together nicely, Jeff went ahead and performed a few finishing touches by completely smoothing the OEM headlights and taillights before clearing them for a clean look that might go overlooked except to those who pay close attention to the smallest of details.
The name of the game while outfitting the interior was to keep it looking as original as possible while peppering in some custom highlights throughout the cab. Jeff was able to find a set of maroon 454SS seats and reupholster them in OEM gray cloth, and to clean up the panels and floor, Joel Shusta joined the team by recovering the door cards before laying down fresh square weave carpeting. All plastic pieces were dyed to refresh their luster, and to add a bit of intrigue to the in-cab restyling, Chad and Allen at CC Tek were recruited to fabricate a special billet insert in the center console that could keep the AccuAir controller close at hand without it getting in the way. Custom pedals were soon crafted for the interior, and a Sparc Industries steering wheel was also incorporated to give Jeff highly stylized control of his quickly evolving performance-minded pickup. JL Audio speakers and amps were wired up to deliver a dynamic soundtrack for every drive, and to keep Jeff cool and comfortable year-round, a full Bluetooth-controlled Restomod Air climate control system was added to the interior’s amenities menu.
Even though Jeff entered blindly into creating what currently stands as the ultimate OBS Chevy Indy 500 edition truck built to date, there hasn’t been a step that he would’ve taken differently along the way. The finished product did take a lot longer than first mapped out, but that was by design once Jeff realized that he could catapult his project into a whole new level with the addition of the specialized LowPro chassis. The decision did cost him significantly more time and money, but it allowed him to take his Indy truck across the finish line as the best possible version it could be. While there are 1,533 other documented ’93 Chevy Indy 500 Pace Truck specimens in existence, this one here is truly one of a kind.
JEFF VOLKER ‘93 INDY PACE TRUCK
- LS 6.0L engine stroked to 408ci by Texas Speed & Performance
- DeWitts radiator
- Wegner accessory drive
- Whipple 2.9L blower
- K&N air cleaner
- Ultimate Headers
- Stainless 3-inch exhaust system by Josh Hart of Hart Fab, Freedom, PA
- Borla mufflers
- 6L80 transmission by John Lucille, Verona, PA
- Circle D billet torque converter
- Dynotech driveshaft
- Roadster Shop LowPro full chassis with independent rear suspension
- Ridetech adjustable shocks
- Firestone 2500 (front) and 2600 (rear) airbags
- VIAIR compressors
- AccuAir VU4 with eLevel Plus and (two) ENDO-T 5-gallon tanks
- Chassis powdercoating in Forged Charcoal by Dylan’s Powdercoat, Plum, PA
- 22x8 and 24x10.5 Billet Specialties Blvd 83 wheels
- 265/35R22 and 295/35R24 Nitto NT420V tires
- Little Shop MFG 16-inch brake kit, Indy logo painted on calipers
- ABS Power brakes master cylinder, electric booster
- PPG paint and bodywork by Volker’s Auto Body, Youngwood, PA
- Painted graphics on calipers and air tanks by Thad Cunningham of Icon Sign Co., Duncansville, PA
- Phoenix Graphics exterior Indy decal kit installed by Thad Cunningham of Icon Sign Co
- Shaved gate, stake pockets holes
- Tahoe passenger door handles
- OEM headlights w/ smoothed nibs
- Stock taillights smoothed and cleared
- Hart Fab modified rear bumper, custom sheet metal engine bay
- Final buff, polish and ceramic coating by Distinct Automotive, Export, PA
- Dakota Digital HDX gauges with one-off printed face to match Indy graphics
- 454 SS seats and door panels recovered in OEM upholstery by Joel Shusta, Monongahela, PA
- Square weave carpet
- Sparc Industries steering wheel
- MasterShift paddle shifter
- Billet insert in center console and pedals by Chad and Allen of CC TEK
- JL Audio C3 6.5-inch speakers, 10W3 10-inch subwoofer installed by Kevin Ferry, Oakdale, PA
- Restomod Air A/C w/ Bluetooth controller
- American Autowire harness