If this 1954 Chevrolet Pickup could talk, it would have some wild stories to tell. Once a workhorse on South African movie sets, this old hauler has now found a new role—gracing the streets of Durban and the pages of SA Hotrod Magazine as a full custom-built masterpiece.
The journey began when Pieter Wentzel spotted the perfect split-window model after a two-year search. He teamed up with Ettiene from Street Rod Factory in Pretoria, and together they stripped the truck down to a bare shell. From there, it was a no-holds-barred, ground-up transformation. The chassis was boxed from front to back and fitted with adjustable coil-overs for the perfect stance, while the rear corners of the load bin were squared for a cleaner, more streamlined look. During teardown, they uncovered a horror show—15mm-thick layers of body filler hiding years of damage. Instead of patching it up, Pieter and the team built a completely new custom bin from scratch, finishing it with classic wood inserts for that authentic touch.
The exterior received meticulous attention. Every panel gap was corrected, and the deep Karminrod Red paint, applied by Street Rod Factory in Pretoria with additional work from ABC Speedshop in Pinetown, gave the truck a sinister yet elegant look.
With the bodywork dialed in, it was time for the heart of the pickup. Pieter sourced a 350 cubic-inch Edelbrock Performer 363 crate motor from the USA. It came complete with Edelbrock E-TEC 170 heads and a Performer Plus hydraulic roller cam, managed by an MSD distributor. To add real attitude, a Weiand 142 Roots supercharger was fitted, topped with a Holley 4150 HP carb. Exhaust gases roar through a twin 63mm Magnaflow X-pipe with silencers and tailpipes, producing a brutal street soundtrack. The TH700 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, upgraded with 4L60E internals, transfers power to a Jaguar differential, ensuring that this pickup moves as aggressively as it sounds.
Stopping power was upgraded with four-pot disc brakes on all corners, while the Jag suspension with adjustable coil-overs keeps the ride controlled and comfortable. The truck sits on Showwheels Streeter rims, 8J at the front and 9.5J at the rear, perfectly complementing the classic hot rod rake.
Inside, the cabin mixes old-school charm with modern usability. The dash was cleaned up and fitted with AutoMeter gauges, while a custom three-spoke steering wheel from SRF and a B&M shifter with an Edelbrock gear knob provide precise control. Seats were recovered in rich leather for comfort, and air conditioning ensures Durban summers are no match for this pickup. Every interior detail—from the ignition neatly hidden to the ergonomic layout—was designed to balance aesthetics with function.
Pieter’s personal touch extends to the finer details. Protea Engineering’s Jan machined custom emblems, and Pieter hand-finished side and tailgate badges. Even the rear diff cover carries a bespoke V8 emblem, reinforcing the pickup’s identity as a high-performance, show-ready machine.
This 1954 Chevy Pickup is more than a classic—it’s a statement. With its blown 350 engine, modern suspension, four-pot brakes, leather interior, and show-quality paint and bodywork, it perfectly blends heritage, performance, and craftsmanship. Pieter’s vision has transformed a movie-set workhorse into a street-legal, head-turning hot rod that’s as comfortable cruising the streets as it is commanding attention at car shows. And with Pieter already hinting at his next project, it’s clear this ’54 is just the beginning.
