I feel it is important to share with you the reason behind this project and how it came to be.

   

Plans had been made by my wife Jeannie, her brother Bob, and sister Pam to celebrate Mom and Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary on my birthday, May 25, 2002.  Those plans were almost canceled due to the accident on April 6, 2002 that took the lives of our son, Bobby, and his friends, Jason, Justin and our pilot, Pat when the birthday plane ride they were on ended tragically.   Even though Mom and Dad wanted to cancel, we encouraged them that Jeannie, Danielle, and I wanted to celebrate this benchmark and we felt it important to celebrate something positive after such a painful loss.  So the anniversary party went on as planned.

​

As part of the festivities, we also invited friends and family members that were proud owners of classic cars and street rods to bring them and we provided special parking.  Dad was still working on his 1941 Ford Coupe, but was planning on driving his 1950 Chrysler to the event.  Once Jeannie and I learned that, we asked to borrow the 1954 GMC 5-Window Pickup so we could drive it to the event.   This 1954 GMC pickup was a favorite of our son’s.  Bobby enjoyed the time he spent with his grandpa working on it.  Grandpa let him help sand it as he readied it for paint and they spent quality time together over this labor of love.  Bobby spoke often to us about what we thought about him buying it from Grandpa someday.  We simply told him, “Save up!” 

​

Well, after spending the weekend driving the 1954 around the anniversary party, I realized that I truly enjoyed it.  So I talked with Jeannie about offering to buy it from Grandpa, and she felt like it was a great idea as well.  On Sunday when we returned the truck to Grandpa I asked,  “Grandpa, can I buy the ‘54 from you?”

​

He looked at me and told me to talk to my brother-in-law Ken, who had an old truck.  I repeated myself and Grandpa repeated himself, “Talk to Ken about a truck he has.”

​

Again I asked, “Grandpa, when you’re ready to sell this truck, I really would like to buy it.”

​

Grandpa again replied, “You really need to talk with Ken.”  It took me all three times to figure out that for the same poignant reason I wanted to buy the truck, Grandpa was emotionally attached to it as well.   Grandpa treasured the time spent working with Bobby on the truck and it was something he was just not ready to depart with.

​

About a week later Grandpa called me to let me know that he was going to meet up with Ken to look at the old truck and invited me to go.  He didn’t want to twist my arm, but felt I should take a look.   At first I was not going to go, but with Grandpa’s encouragement, I agreed.  Jeannie and I met Grandpa and Ken at the warehouse.  When I first went inside I was amazed at what great shape it was in.  No rust!!!  I learned it had been taken in trade by Ken’s dad who was the owner of Bookout Nissan in Bakersfield and Visalia some thirty years ago.  I can’t begin to tell you how emotional I got when I learned it was a 1954 Chevy Pickup!  It had been kept in storage since taken in trade in 1972.  Grandpa felt it was in great shape so I took Jeannie outside to discuss it.  She just said to go for it, so I then invited Ken out to see how much this was going to cost me.  Expecting to pay a couple of thousand dollars, I was blessed when he said, “I will make you the same deal that I was going to make Grandpa.  I will give it to you! With all that you have been though, a project like this might be good for you!” 

​

Ken was right.  It has been good for me.  It’s not only allowed me to work along side Grandpa just like my son did, but all along the way of this project I have been blessed to meet and work with people that have given of their time and expertise to help see my dream come true.  Whether it be finding parts when needed, giving time to help, or just people willing to reduce the cost of parts,  I thank  God for each one that He has brought into my life.

​

I have been so blessed to meet and work with some wonderful talented hot rodders.  My father-in-law, Vernon is a special part of this blessing.   His passion for hot rods and old cars has been passed onto my family and will always be cherished. 

​

I would also like to give a special thanks to Homer Davis.  In my heart Homer has become a kind of father, providing a guiding influence above and beyond the call of duty at all times.  Homer often has given me great recommendations, from using a Lincoln Versailles 9” rear end with disk brakes, to putting me in touch with a well built motor, to thinking about details along the build.  His desire to make the truck both safe and perfect the first time is greatly appreciated.  Homer Davis is truly a man of integrity. 

​

I also want to thank my neighbor and painter Jim Avila for his countless hours, as well as his brother Tony Avila, who built my 700R transmission. 

Then I wish to thank my brother-in-law, Bob Williams, for always being available to help when needed.  Whether it being hauling the body to be sand-blasted to lifting the cab on and off, I could always count on him as well as many other friends who gave of their time when asked.

As you look at the pictures you might ask, “Why the color?”  Well it really is pretty simple.  I was taking Bobby and his dear, cute friend, Danelle, home when we passed the Nissan Dealer on Ben Maddox.  He shouted out “That color is so COOL!”   I looked over and asked which one and he stated “The piss yellow one.”

​

I said “Oh Bobby.  Don’t call it that.”

​

He stated, “But that’s the color!”  So my decision to paint this truck Piss Yellow was simple.   It’s real name is 2002 Nissan Solar Yellow, but it will always be Piss Yellow to us.

​

I really wanted to keep as much of the ‘54 looking like a ‘54, so my dash idea was to fabricate a new dash (4”) under the old dash to house all the new model vents, AM/FM/CD stereo, and ac/heater controls.  The interior color of storm grey was my pick and I added a light grey seat that would fit three people.  The middle seat folds down and turns into an arm rest/storage box.  All three seats can slide for comfort and we added seatbelts for safety since we have a slightly radical 350 Chevy power with more chrome then I ever planned on.  This motor is running high compression pistons, roller rockers and a nice cam to make it rumble.  It sounds awesome, thanks to a 2 ¼ dual exhaust system that Homer set me up with.

The bed of the truck is one that most people felt I was out in left field on.  Most pickup trucks replace the old wood with new oak and stainless steel hardware.  I didn’t want to do that.  My vision was to share my faith in some way.  You see, my faith is built on the rock.  2 Samuel 22:2 reads, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.”  So my bed is made of aggregate rock with a cross in the middle of the bed.  The cross is patterned after the one used in the KDUV radio’s logo, since it’s the channel I listen to!  Because we removed the gas tank from its original location behind the seat and mounted it under the bed, a box was needed to cover the fill neck and lock.  The box cover has a bronze plaque mounted on it that is a copy of the patch worn by the Golden West Baseball teams in honor of the boys that first season in 2002 after we lost them.

​

So, as you can see, this truck is a labor of love in more than one way.  It not only serves to honor loved ones, but most important, it honors the Lord.

 

Description

1954 Custom Chevy Pickup

Engine 350cu in -
With Roller Rockers, Edlebrock performer intake, 600cfm Carburetor and Performer cam
Marsh Pulley System
700R Transmission
Ford 9” Lincoln Versalle Rear End
w/disk brakes and 3:50 gears
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Power Windows
With one piece glass
Stereo AM/FM CD
With remote
40/20/40 Seat
center folds down for are rest
Seat Belts
Electric Wipers
Rack and Pinion Front End
w/disk brakes
AC / Heating System
Cobra Radiator
Electric Fan
Roll Pan with LED Tail & Brake lights
Bed Rolls has LED Tail & Brake lights
Russ Frances Wiring Kit
Classic Instruments Gauges

​

Special Thank You
to the following people and businesses for helping my dream come true.

​

Margaret and Ken Bookout – 1954 Truck
Vernon Williams – Tear down
Minyard’s Auto Parts – Parts
Ron Heatherly, Heatherly Pest Control - Engine
www.ChevyDuty.com - Parts
Homer Davis – Chassis
Tulare Glass – Front and rear windows
Visalia Chrome – Grill Chrome
Jim Avila – Body work, Undercoating and Paint
Brian Blain – Paint booth
Tony Avila – Transmission
Andy West – Engine Prep
Jack Mendonca, Diesel Doctor –Engine starting
Tony Kanaversky, Creative Stone by Applied Chemical Resurfacing – Bed Floor
Shawn Smith, Shawn's Custom Auto – Upholstery
Friends – Russ, Matthew, Bill, Jody, and Scott
Family – Bob, Vernon, Jeannie and Danielle
Homer Davis –Final assembly