{"id":49447,"date":"2021-07-06T08:53:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T13:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lmctrucklife.com\/?p=49447"},"modified":"2021-08-23T09:02:01","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T14:02:01","slug":"1968-chevy-c10-vivian-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lmctrucklife.com\/2021\/07\/1968-chevy-c10-vivian-c\/","title":{"rendered":"1968 Chevy C10 – Vivian C."},"content":{"rendered":"

Marylin’s Story<\/p>\n

This is a story about my husband\u2019s truck. This is Marilyn\u2019s Story.<\/p>\n

For as long as he could remember, Eddy had his eye on a 1971 GMC step side pickup. It rested on blocks at Performance Auto and Marine in Chickasha, Oklahoma. It was just a shell of a truck – no wheels, tires, transmission, or engine. It didn\u2019t even have seats or a steering wheel. The telephone pole imprint embedded in the grill was evidence it had suffered a collision, which would explain the missing hood. Despite its imperfections, Eddy saw potential and every time he and his dad drove by the shop, Eddy looked to see if it was still there.<\/p>\n

At age 14, Eddy convinced his dad to drop by Performance Auto and ask the owner, Garry Snow, if the truck was for sale. Garry said he planned to run it across the scales at the Dog Leg Salvage Yard that week. He thought he would get about $50 for the scrap metal; if they were willing to pay that, then the truck was theirs. With the money Eddy earned roofing houses for his uncle, he happily forked over the cash.<\/p>\n

The truck was hauled and stored at another uncle\u2019s mechanic shop, and for the next two years, Eddy and his dad scouted local salvage yards for parts. Piece by piece, the truck was reassembled and slowly brought back to life. However, the build was far from perfect. Although Eddy did his best to straighten the grill, the telephone pole imprint was still clearly visible. It was missing the tailgate, and the wooden liner was so eroded, you could literally see the ground through the rotted holes. The transmission and engine were the final two components needed to complete the project, however, finding ones that fit Eddy\u2019s budget proved challenging. Luckily, both became available the day his dad wrecked the family\u2019s 1964 Chevelle. The car was no longer drivable, but the transmission and motor lived on in Eddy\u2019s \u201871 GMC.<\/p>\n

The blue directional wheels and white-letter Daytona Radial tires Eddy bought from Ralf & Sons Tire Center complemented the cheap $400 blue paint job. It was not the prettiest or safest build, but by the grace of God, it passed inspection and was ready to drive just two days before Eddy\u2019s 16th birthday.
\nEddy drove and street-raced his \u201871 GMC until he joined the Air Force at the age of 18. On December 26, 1991, Eddy parked his truck in his dad\u2019s backyard and handed over the keys with the promise he would return soon to reclaim her. He had no way of knowing at the time that this agreement would eventually land his dad in the Grady County jail.<\/p>\n

Twelve years of neglect and rodent invasion took its toll and in 2003, an Enforcement Code Officer told Eddy\u2019s dad that the unsightly truck needed to go or else it would be impounded. His dad informed the officer that he had no intention of getting rid of the truck, as it belonged to his son who was currently fighting the war in Iraq. Furthermore, he said, if the officer ever stepped foot on his property again, he would shoot him. Now, threatening an Enforcement Code Officer was obviously not the proper way to handle the situation and his utter lack of judgement cost him an entire evening in a cold jail cell. The next morning when he went before the judge, he provided the same explanation (minus the threat) as to why he was not going to move the truck. Although the judge did not approve of his misconduct, she dropped the charges since the vehicle was indeed owned by a military member deployed to a war zone.<\/p>\n

Eddy honorably served our country for 20 years and retired from the Air Force in 2011. He planned to return to Oklahoma and retrieve his GMC soon thereafter but found it difficult to take time away from his new job. Therefore, in September 2014, his dad hauled the truck from Oklahoma to be reunited with its original owner. Eddy was shocked to see how much it had deteriorated over the years. All four tires were flat, and it had been overtaken with animal waste, nests, and tree remnants. Critters chewed through the wires and left massive holes in the seat cushions and carpet. Eddy immediately began nurturing her and for the next three months, he called his dad every Sunday to brief him on the progress and his vision of turning the \u201871 GMC step side into a \u201868 Chevy short wide bed.<\/p>\n

Sadly, on December 10, 2014, the phone calls came to an abrupt halt upon learning the devastating news that his dad passed away due to a massive heart attack.
\nFor 7 years, this restoration project was a weekend escape for Eddy. From mechanical to electrical, to paint and body work, he accomplished every bit of the work himself. Though he executed this project solo in our garage, I am confident my husband was never alone. Just like all those years before, my father-in-law was right there with his beloved son – building, smiling, and encouraging. And when the day came to take Marilyn for her first joy ride, he was right there, riding shotgun.<\/p>\n

Chassis<\/span>
\nFrame: stock
\nRear end \/ Ratio: Ford 9 inch \/ 3.50:1
\nRear suspension: Early Classic Enterprise (ECE) 6 inch dropped coil springs with KYB shocks
\nRear brakes: 11 inch disc with two piston calipers
\nFront suspension: ECE 2\u00bd-inch drop spindles and 2-inch dropped coil springs, Classic Performance Products (CPP) tubular A-arm, CPP antisway bar, and KYB shocks
\nFront brakes: 11 inch disc with two piston calipers
\nSteering box: close ratio power steering unit
\nFront wheels: Streeter 20\u00d78
\nRear wheels: Streeter 20\u00d710
\nFront tires: Nitto 555 255\/40R20 with Goodyear Eagle raised white letters from Tire Stickers
\nRear tires: Nitto 555 295\/40R20 with Goodyear Eagle raised white letters from Tire Stickers
\nGas tank: Boyd\u2019s Tank \/ Rear frame mounted<\/p>\n

Drivetrain<\/span>
\nEngine: Chevrolet Performance ZZ454 Crate Engine(469 HP \/ 519 Torque)
\nHeads: Chevrolet Performance aluminum
\nValve covers: Chevrolet Performance
\nManifold \/ Induction: Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 EFI
\nIgnition: Edelbrock Pro-Tuner EFI Distributor
\nHeaders: Sanderson 1 7\/8-inch
\nExhaust \/ Mufflers: Custom 2\u00bd-inch \/ Borla Pro XS mufflers
\nTransmission: GM 4L80E automatic with USSHIFT controller
\nShifter: Lokar<\/p>\n

Body<\/span>
\nStyle: C10
\nFenders front \/ rear: LMC Truck \/ stock replacement
\nHood: LMC Truck cowl induction
\nGrille: LMC Truck \/ stock replacement with LMC billet inserts
\nBed: bedside pockets filled
\nBodywork and paint by: Eddy Cumins in garage
\nPaint type \/ Color: Summit Racing Pure White with Southern Polyurethane (SPI) Universal Clear
\nHeadlights \/ Taillights: LMC Truck \/ stock replacement
\nOutside mirrors: LMC Truck universal bowtie mirrors
\nBumpers: LMC Truck \/ stock replacement<\/p>\n

Interior<\/span>
\nDashboard: TMI
\nGauges: Classic Instruments Velocity Series
\nAir conditioning: Vintage Air
\nStereo: Retro Sound with Kicker speakers
\nSteering wheel: Grant
\nSteering column: Tilt wheel from motorhome
\nSeats: TMI
\nCarpet: ACC \/ plush pile<\/p>\n<\/div>

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