RESTOMOD HAULER

In the business world of building custom vintage vehicles for a living, there is definitely more than one approach to find success. A great deal of specialized experience and knowledge must be attained in order to not only pull off a quality project once, but to develop a winning production plan with precise outcomes that can be followed time and again requires a whole other level of skill. This line of work is fueled by passion, at least at first it is. Sometimes the joy associated with a hobby can sour and turn into a burdensome job – it’s different for everybody, and no two shops are the same. 

Recently, we had the pleasure of spending some time with the owners of a successful and interesting custom automotive business, to get a better explanation of how Shaun and Stefanie Carr of Special Blend Motor Garage (SBMG) were able to turn their vehicle restoration side hustle into a truly unique, boundary-pushing automotive brand that has gained the attention of fellow builders, fans and car collectors worldwide. While SBMG’s roots stem from restoring awesome classic muscle cars, they have shifted their focus to classic pickup trucks, which are really what grabbed our attention, naturally. The ’72 Chevy K10 seen here is one of the latest trucks to roll out of SBMG’s 45,000-sq.ft facility in Farr West, Utah, and is a fine example of everything Shaun and Stefanie put at the forefront of every project they deliver. 

“We build vehicles to suit our customers’ request or build them according to how we dream them up”, Shaun says. “We specialize in making classic trucks look factory original, and stay true to the vintage feel, yet blend that with modern performance, comfort, and reliability.” While the build of the ’72 K10 took only a year to complete, the process of chassis R&D that serves as the foundation of the build took over 6 years of blood, sweat and tears to fine tune. “So much trial and error and design work was invested into our chassis system that can make a 50-year-old+ K10 drive like a modern day Silverado.” 

Upon asking for a more in-depth idea of what went into the design and components used to assemble the K10’s new chassis system, Shaun was more than happy to break it all down for us. “So, in 2016, we decided to find a way to utilize a modern GM chassis and powertrain system that blended seamlessly with older style truck and Blazer bodies. We didn’t want to modify the bodies at all, since they are what make these trucks so nostalgic and special. It was the chassis that had to adapt, being reliable enough to be driven across the country and serviced at any dealership using off-the-shelf parts by technicians who can work on it without any special knowledge of customized components.” 

The frames that SBMC has cooked up have been specially modified to fit ’67-’72 Chevy C10, K10, and K5 Blazer bodies without having to make any body alterations whatsoever. Just placing a factory chassis underneath just isn’t good enough though. The customer behind this K10 build wanted it to be rugged yet sophisticated.  To deliver on that request, the truck was outfitted with a full lifted independent front suspension package that includes BDS-Fox coil-overs, a Spohn Performance rear 4-link setup, and a wide array of upgraded Wilwood braking components. Bronze 18-inch Mayhem Voyager wheels and AMP Terrain Attack tires finish off this upgraded chassis that is now ready to take the K10 anywhere its owner wants it to go. 

The next natural step of deciding on a source to power the K10 is already built into SBMG’s build equation. Nearly every classic truck that Special Blend Motor Garage releases features a star performer under the hood. “We were doing LS swaps before the term ‘LS Swap’ was a household phrase”, Shaun states. “There used to be kits that let you drop one in, bolt it up and go.  We had to hope that the older frame and suspension components could handle the heavily increased horsepower over the long run. Now our customers have the luxury to choose from several modern hydroformed tubular chassis. From a half ton short bed configuration all the way to full ton crew cab dually configurations that will accept any LS or Duramax engine. In the case of this K10, it is powered by a brand new 2023 LS3 6.2L engine with enough add-ons to pump out 525hp.” 

With the modern components dialed in, the SBMG crew turned their focus to the vintage aspects of the truck, which they celebrate equally. Maintaining a classic, factory look is key with everything they do, and to keep the K10 looking authentic, a timeless two-tone paint scheme showcasing BASF LeMans Blue and Olympic White was sprayed in-house. To give the exterior a further touch of throwback class, chrome and wood grain trim was strung along both sides and straight across the tailgate. Shaun designed a custom capless gas fill taillight that’s convenient to use and adds to the truck’s conservative yet captivating highlight reel. 

SMBG delivered an outstanding classic aesthetic inside of the cab as well with full grain Brahma bull leather seats complete with Relicate Overlander plaid cloth inserts and a matching headliner, the further inclusion of wood grain paneling, and an authentic steering wheel. There are also modern touches that have been added to give the truck a full menu of amenities to use on the road such as the Dakota Digital RTX cluster, wireless chargers in the center seat fold down arm rest, and the new RestoMod Air climate control system to ensure comfortable cruising year-round. A highlight of the interior is the tastefully designed all-steel center dash that houses a 9” Pioneer Wireless CarPlay head unit. The metal has been shaped in such a way that the curves and lines look like something GM would have implemented had the technology been available in 1972.

“We pride ourselves in building vehicles that can win a show both on looks and at the checkered flag on the track”, Shaun says proudly about the completion of yet another award-winning vehicle. “It requires an eye for design and years of experience to get all the details perfect and the right team for the assembly to be rock solid. Our designers, craftsmen and artisans work at their peak level to get every detail right for our demanding customers. It was very emotional to see the smile on our customer’s face and hear his well-earned praise when we delivered his truck. This particular build raised the bar for our 15-person crew and their imagination is all the fuel we need to keep on going.” 

SBMG customers aren’t limited to modern GM chassis’ dialed in for the 4WD K10 models and K5 Blazers, the slammed C10 crowd can quench their appetite as well with an AWD C10 widebody that will surely turn some heads at the track. A modern GM 2500HD K20 chassis configuration with an LBZ Duramax Allison transmission is also available to effortlessly tow 18,100 lbs for those who use power in another way. The hardest part of your decision may just be choosing between these capable options.