1985 Chevy Silverado – Lonnie G.

A Tired Pickup & A Retired Man
Restoration Project Story

I have always admired the older Chevy 4 x 4 short box square body pickups, and have been looking for just the right pickup for years, so that when I retired, I could restore the pickup to the style I had been imagining in my mind. Well, I retired in 2010 and I bought on Ebay. I had numerous conversations with the owner of the pickup, who was located over 800 miles from where I lived. I trusted the individual as to what he was representing, so I did not make a trip out to see the pickup firsthand, but I bought based on his word.

When the pickup arrived to my house a couple of months later, and after many more conversations with the seller, who was doing some engine swapping, interior repairs, and electrical work for me before it left his shop, I was totally shocked when we had to push the pickup off of the trailer, as the engine would not start.

We began our restoration project with the engine, which needed a lot of work as we discovered, along with the electrical wiring. We finally got the rebuilt engine running, which is a 350 cu. short block. Installed numerous chrome components such as the alternator, valve covers, power steering pump, AC compressor, pulleys, master cylinder, chrome fenders, High Performance chrome intake manifold with a Holley double pumper street avenger carburetor. I installed chrome on the engine hood cover. Custom hood Cover, 373 Locking Differential & 2 new fuel tanks.

Next, I gutted the interior adding a new seat and started over by painting the metal blue, which would match the exterior of the pickup. I also installed Dakota Gauges, a Retro sound radio with hands free cell phone, a new dash, door panels, all the windows were replaced, brushed aluminum trim and a Headliner that I customized with two “Chevy Logos”.

I painted the short box with Gray Monstaliner paint. Then installed Marine plywood and had it upholstered with marine vinyl, and the tailgate upholstered with the word “Chevrolet” embroidered in the material.

The pickup arrived with a three stage paint job and the color that I wanted, but the workmanship in that the paint was severely lacking. I had the 3-stage paint repaired in places and then had “Dynamic Rides” hand painted a red & gray pin stripe along the silver and blue.
After 96 lengthy orders from LMC where all the parts are of the highest quality. We finally have the pickup completed for now. LMC was very helpful and efficient in getting the orders filled and shipped.

The 3 year restoration turned out the way I imagined. There is always more to add to the truck to tweak it out a little more.

Thanks Again to LMC.