A Full-blown 1954 Chevy Pickup

If this 1954 Chevy Pickup could talk it would tell you a few interesting stories about its life. It was used in its early days in a few South African movies and now, over 6 decades later, it has risen to stardom once again to grace the pages of SA Hotrod magazine. Back then it sported a straight six motor and chocolate brown paint job. However, when the Pickup finally crossed paths with a man named Pieter Wentzel, it would be transformed into something truly unique.

After searching for about 2 years for a classic Pickup, Pieter knew he couldnt let this Chevy slip through his fingers. Especially, because this particular one was the desirable factory-fitted split window model. So, Pieter brainstormed the build with Ettiene from Street Rod Factory in Pretoria and started ordering parts. All this, whilst they stripped the Pickup down to a bare shell so that they could start again from the ground up.

They fitted adjustable coil overs to the chassis that was boxed from front to back and modified the rear square corners of the bin so that it could sit more flush. Then, while doing this, they discovered that body putty (15mm thick) was previously used on the bin to hide imperfections. So they chucked it and built a completely new bin from scratch and fitted bed wood once it was completed. All the uneven gaps between the panels were meticulously rectified and the body received a lick of paint in a shade of deep Karminrod Red.

The body was now ready to receive the new crate motor. So, it was equipped with an Edelbrock Performer 363 that Pieter had brought in from the States as well as with Edelbrock E-tec 170 heads, camshafts and MSD distributor. The gearbox, installed by Mark from Mark-1 Auto, is a 4-speed with overdrive GM TH700 unit that has been modified further to cope with the extra power.

The brakes needed to be upgraded as well. So they opted for discs with 4-pot callipers all around. When the engine was installed, Pieter felt that it looked lost in the engine bay and decided that it needed something more. So then, he brought in a Weiand 142 supercharger coupled with a Holley 4150 carburettor that sits proudly atop the 350 cubic inch powerplant. Finally, Pieter was happy with the look of the engine and having all that additional power on tap is never a bad thing too. The combination of the blower whine and spine-tingling bark emitted from the twin 63mm Magnaflow exhaust pipes is enough to satisfy even the most finicky of petrolheads.

Furthermore, the Street Rod factory sorted out the interior by installing custom-made door panels with electric windows and proper-looking 3-spoke steering. Also, a set of newer but retro-styled Autometer gauges on the dashboard was nicely cleaned by deleting everything unessential and by hiding the ignition. Then, they fitted an aircon, a mod that is completely necessary for the humid Durban climate. Then, the rest of the interior sees the seats recovered in leather and a B&M shifter that plays host to a stylish Edelbrock gearknob.

Now that the pickup was complete, Pieter could turn his attention to the finer details of the build. This would ultimately make the difference that would push the Chevy to the next level. Lastly, he sent the Pickup to ABC Speedshop in Pinetown for more paintwork and had Jan from Protea Engineering machine new emblems for him. Also, an engineer by trade, Pieter took it upon himself to finish off and paint the side and tailgate (not fitted at the time of the shoot) badges himself.

The level of detail around this pickup has to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated. Even the V8 detailing on the diff underneath the truck is a work of art. Pieter hinted at another project that he is busy with at the moment. So, if this Pickup is anything to go by, were in for another treat in the near future.

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 engine), Edelbrock E-TEC 170 heads and Performer plus Hydraulic roller, Weiand 142 Roots Supercharger, 63mm MAGNAFLOW X Pipe, silencers and tailpipes, Holley 4150 HP Supercharger carburettor, MSD Distributor 

TRANNY: 4-Speed with overdrive, TH700 modified with 4L60E parts, Jaguar diff

SUSPENSION: Jag suspension and adjustable coil-overs

WHEELS: Showwheels Streeter (8J front and 9.5J rear)

BRAKES: Discs all around with 4-pot callipers

INTERIOR: Standard dash with AutoMeter dials, Custom 3-spoke steering wheel by SRF, B&M shifter with custom Edelbrock knob, leather seats

COLOUR: Karminrod Red

PAINTER: SRF (Pretoria) and ABC Speedshop (Pinetown)

EXTERIOR: New load bin with wood inserts