Back in the day, it rolled off the factory floor with a straight-six motor and a humble chocolate brown paint job. But its destiny changed the moment it crossed paths with Pieter Wentzel, a man on a mission to create something truly one-of-a-kind
THE BUILD BEGINS
After hunting for two years to find the perfect classic pickup, Pieter wasn’t about to let this one slip through his fingers—especially since it was the desirable factory-fitted split-window model. He teamed up with Ettiene from Street Rod Factory in Pretoria, and together, they started ordering parts while stripping the truck down to a bare shell. From there, it was a no-holds-barred, ground-up transformation.
The chassis got the full treatment—boxed from front to back and fitted with adjustable coil-overs for that perfect stance. The team also squared off the rear corners of the bin for a cleaner, more streamlined look. But during the teardown, they uncovered a horror show—15mm thick layers of body filler masking years of hidden sins. Instead of trying to salvage the mess, they scrapped it completely and built an all-new custom bin from scratch, finishing it off with bed wood inserts for that classic touch.
Then came the deep Karminrod Red paint—a shade that looks sinister and elegant at the same time. Every panel gap was meticulously corrected, ensuring show-quality fit and finish.
BIGGER, BADDER, BLOWN V8
With the bodywork dialed in, it was time for the real magic—the heart of this beast. Pieter had a fresh Edelbrock Performer 363 crate motor shipped in from the States, complete with E-Tec 170 heads, an aggressive camshaft, and an MSD distributor. To handle the extra grunt, Mark from Mark-1 Auto installed a built GM TH700 4-speed overdrive transmission, beefed up with 4L60E internals.
But something still wasn’t right—the motor looked lost in the engine bay. Pieter needed more punch, more attitude. So he cranked things up with a Weiand 142 Supercharger, topped with a Holley 4150 carb. Now, that once-empty engine bay is home to a blown 350 cubic inch powerhouse, delivering brutal street manners with a soundtrack to match. The twin 63mm Magnaflow exhaust system belts out a bark that’ll rattle windows and turn heads at every stoplight.
BRAKES, SUSPENSION & ROLLERS
All that power meant one thing—this rig needed some serious stopping power. The team went with 4-pot disc brakes on all four corners, ensuring it hauls down from speed just as well as it accelerates.
Sitting on a Jag suspension setup with adjustable coil-overs, the stance is dialed in perfectly. The Chevy now rides on Showwheels Streeters, with 8J up front and massive 9.5J rears, giving it that classic hot rod rake.
CUSTOM INTERIOR—OLD SCHOOL MEETS NEW SCHOOL
Inside, the truck is just as slick. The standard dash was cleaned up with a set of AutoMeter gauges, and the ignition was neatly hidden for a clean, modernized look. A custom 3-spoke steering wheel from SRF gives Pieter full control, while a B&M shifter with an Edelbrock gear knob adds a proper hot rod touch. The seats? Recovered in rich leather, making sure the cabin is as comfortable as it is stylish.
Since Durban summers can be brutal, an air conditioning system was installed—because melting behind the wheel isn’t part of the plan.
FINAL TOUCHES & SHOW-STOPPING DETAILS
To push this build into legendary territory, Pieter turned to ABC Speedshop in Pinetown for additional paintwork, and Protea Engineering’s Jan machined custom emblems to add a personal touch. Being an engineer himself, Pieter couldn’t resist finishing off the side and tailgate badges by hand.
Even the rear diff cover is a work of art, detailed with a custom V8 emblem that makes sure this Chevy looks just as badass underneath as it does up top.
And here’s the kicker—Pieter has already hinted at another project in the works. If this ‘54 pickup is anything to go by, we’re in for another show-stopping build soon. Watch this space!
TECH SHEET
OWNER: Pieter Wentzel
LOCATION: Durban
MAKE: 1954 Chevy Pickup 3100 Series
BUILDER: Street Rod Factory
ENGINE:
- 350 cu.inch Edelbrock Performer 363 crate motor
- Edelbrock E-TEC 170 heads, Performer Plus hydraulic roller cam
- Weiand 142 Roots Supercharger
- 63mm Magnaflow X-pipe, silencers & tailpipes
- Holley 4150 HP Supercharger carb
- MSD Distributor
TRANSMISSION:
- TH700 4-speed with overdrive
- Modified with 4L60E internals
- Jaguar diff
SUSPENSION:
- Jag suspension with adjustable coil-overs
WHEELS:
- Showwheels Streeter (8J front, 9.5J rear)
BRAKES:
- Discs all around with 4-pot calipers
INTERIOR:
- Standard dash with AutoMeter dials
- Custom 3-spoke steering wheel by SRF
- B&M shifter with Edelbrock knob
- Leather seats
- Air conditioning
PAINT & BODY:
- Color: Karminrod Red
- Painter: SRF (Pretoria) & ABC Speedshop (Pinetown)
- Custom-built load bin with wood inserts
