Who would want to drive a performance car built from 50-year-old parts based on even older technology? This is exactly the same thought that crossed Greg Heinrich’s mind. He loved the styling and looks of his 1970 Chevelle, but since he owns a Chevrolet dealership filled with brand-new cars, he figured he could keep the muscle car attitude and upgrade the engine, suspension and interior to underscore the beauty that lies underneath.
THE INSIDE IS A DIFFERENT STORY. THE ENTIRE DASH BEZEL HAS BEEN RECREATED AS A CUSTOM BILLET ALUMINUM PIECE…”
To create the perfect pro-touring muscle car that featured power, reliability and modern luxuries cloaked in classic sheet metal, Greg turned to Ironworks Speed & Kustom out of Bakersfield, California. His instructions to owner Rodger Lee were to completely modernize and upgrade everything for performance and comfort, except the body. The jet black exterior was in pristine condition, so only a few minor upgrades were scheduled. A quick glance at the rolling stock or inside at the interior offers a hint to the power and performance that lies beneath.
The guys at Ironworks started from the ground up, outfitting the car with one of their 1968-72 Chevelle chassis that adds rigidity and upgraded suspension for better handling. The front suspension consists of C6 Corvette components along with a Detroit Speed rack-and-pinion steering setup to an ididit column.
A set of Ridetech triple adjustable shocks provides improved cornering and ride comfort as opposed to the old A-body suspension that could give even the most avid boater sea legs. Fourteen-inch Wilwood brakes help bring things to a quick stop. Out back, a 4-link setup wraps around a Ford 9-inch rearend with 3.89 gears and a tough 35- spline Wave Trac differential.
Ridetech shocks and Wilwood brakes round out the package. With improved handling and forthcoming added performance, raceinspired wheels were the way to go. A set of 19 x 10 and 20 x 12-inch grip-equipped Laguna wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 295/30R19 and 335/30R20 tires provide a wide track pattern for keeping the muscle car under control.
Greg didn’t have to look far beyond his inventory for the perfect power plant for the pro-touring ride. With Chevrolet Performance offering crate engines from its high-performance cars to the public, a 2012 Chevrolet LSA supercharged engine pushing almost 600 hp was the perfect fit.
The engine provides the reliability and tenability of a modern LS3 engine topped with a supercharger providing even more horsepower that’s friendly to gas mileage as well. An AutoRad radiator helps keep things cool, while a K&N air intake flows to custom-built 1.875-inch stainless steel headers and 3-inch exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers.
The powerful engine is backed with a Tremec Magnum transmission and twin-disc clutch to a custom-built driveshaft. The exterior was kept in factory condition aside from a set of JW Speaker LED headlights.
The inside is a different story. The entire dash bezel has been recreated as a custom billet aluminum piece featuring Auto Meter gauges and Ironworks switches. A Vintage Air system provides comfort on hot days and cold nights, a Budnik steering wheel and Marquez Design billet mirror finish things off for the interior styling. A Sony head unit leading to Kicker speakers provides the tunes. Lastly, Stitch by Stitch wrapped everything in red leather to set off the interior against the black exterior.
Taking this classic 1970 Chevelle and bringing it up to a modern standard ensures that the car will be driven and perform better than ever intended from the factory. Greg’s Chevelle may show classic lines but thanks to the crew at Ironworks Speed & Kustom, it has the driving characteristics of a Corvette ZR1 with the luxury of a Cadillac.
TAKING A CLASSIC MUSCLE CAR AND BRINGING IT UP TO MODERN STANDARDS ENSURES THAT THE CAR WILL BE DRIVEN AND PERFORM BETTER THAN EVER INTENDED FROM THE FACTORY.
OWNER: Greg Heinrich 1970 Chevelle Las Vegas, NV
BUILDER: Ironworks Speed & Kustom Stitch By Stitch
FRAME: Ironworks 68-72 Chevelle Chassis
SUSPENSION: Ironworks C6 Corvette based, Ridetech triple adjustable shocks, Detroit Speed rack-andpinion, Ford 9-inch rearend, Wave Trac 35-spline 3.89 differential
BRAKES: 14-inch Wilwood
WHEELS: 19 x 10-inch and 20 x 12-inch grip-equipped Laguna
TIRES: Michelin PS2 295/30R19 and 335/30R20
ENGINE: 2012 LSA crate engine, Auto Rad radiator, K&N air intake, Magnaflow muffler, custom 3-inch stainless exhaust system, custom 1.875-inch stainless headers, Rick’s 21-gallon aluminum gas tank
TRANSMISSION: Tremec Magnum, twin clutch
BODY & PAINT: Factory, JW Speaker LED headlights
INTERIOR: Ironworks billet dash, red leather seats, Auto Meter gauges, Sony head unit, Kicker speakers, ididit steering column, Budnik steering wheel, Vintage Air, Ron Francis wiring harness
In 1997, Barrett Stewart was injected with a custom truck virus when a few friends asked him to hang out one weekend. It only took one experience in the laid back lifestyle we enthusiasts all know and love to get Barrett hooked. Over the years, he bought and sold a few of the industry’s most well known rides, but this latest one is special, and it may not go anywhere anytime soon. Barrett had some previous custom truck owner experience with his first truck, a ’94 GMC Sonoma known as “Sweet as Candy,” which was featured in Mini Truckin magazine back in ’97. Next on his list of good looking rides was a ’96 Chevy S-10 Blazer two-door called “Double Exposure.” That build was also featured in Mini Truckin. Lastly, his third custom truck was a ’99 Chevrolet Tahoe four-door named “816 Hours” in a past Street Trucks article. This is the truck that began the OBS obsession for Barrett.
“This truck had a great start from previous owner, Brian Baird, and I was lucky enough to buy the truck and see a vision of how he envisioned it complete,” Barrett says.
Body-dropped on 24-inch wheels was the goal, and previous owner Brian was the man making the mods to the metal.
Body mods on this amazing truck include a chopped top roof, a Goodmark Steel SS Ram air hood, Hart front inner fenders, shaved fuel door and a steel roll pan.
The factory frame rails were notched for tie rods and stock floor body dropped using 2×4-inch square tubing. A custom four-link suspension with a Panhard bar and pinion snubber mounts up to the factory rear end that is loaded with Moser Axles and 3.73 Auburn limited slip gears. The front end hardware was swapped out for Michigan Metal Works upper and lower control arms, airbags and an Airlift 3H air management system. This gave Barrett the ability to lay body on 24×9-inch front and 24×12-inch Raceline Status 6 wheels. The Delinte DS8 tire sizes are 255/35/24 up front and 305/35/24 in the rear. A rear disc brake conversion with a Wilwood Master cylinder and stainless braided brake lines give this truck plenty of stopping power.
The truck is LS swapped using a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3-Liter LS, A Comp Cams “Big Mutha Thumper” cam, a Be Cool aluminum radiator, Edelbrock coil pack covers, Boost brothers mid length headers and 3-inch spin tech mufflers. LS1 engine dress up accessories and an Edelbrock Pro flow EFI conversion wrapped up the engine mods. A 2002 GM 4L80E transfers the power to the rear axles.
Body mods on this amazing truck include a chopped top roof, a Goodmark Steel SS Ram air hood, Hart front inner fenders, shaved fuel door and a steel roll pan. There’s also a shaved roof drip rail, shaved third brake light, shaved stake pockets and shaved tailgate handle. All the amazing bodywork was performed by Kevin Fulmer Shadetree Customs Pomaria, SC. The color is Toyota Cavalry Blue with Toyota Cement Gray graphics. All paint and graphics were also completed by Kevin Fulmer at Shadetree customs.
A few events that this killer truck can be seen at include the Battle in Bama ‘Million Dollar Row,’ East Tennessee Showdown, Drop Em Wear show, Mini Truckin’ Nationals and more.
A few events that this killer 1990 Chevrolet C1500 truck can be seen at include the Battle in Bama “Million Dollar Row,” East Tennessee Showdown, Drop Em Wear show, Mini Truckin’ Nationals and more.
“With the help of great friends and amazing family my vision became reality. Thanks to my extended family in Relaxed Atmosphere for always being there to give support or ideas” Barrett says.
TRUCK SPECS
Barrett Stewart
1990 Chevrolet C1500
Location: Laurens SC
Club affiliation: Relaxed Atmosphere
Occupation: Owner of Superior Auto
Cost of 1990 Chevrolet: $9,000
Date of original Purchase: October 2017
Cost of Build-up: $25,000
How long from build date to completion: 3 years
Chassis
Wheels/Tires
Engine
Body
Interior/Stereo
“Thanks to David at Coys wheel, Raceline Wheels, Dunbar Auto Supply, Jeff Smith at Colorworx paint shop, Delinte tires, Kevin and Kory Fulmer at Shadetree Customs, Ronnie at Lowrider Depot, all my guys at Superior Auto, Andrew White at Mainstreet Auto Detailing, Jason Mode at New Creations, Hart Fabrication, Keith and Tommy Allewine at TKM Customs, and most importantly my wife Nikki and or two amazing boys, Rett and Eli.”
