Words: Tommy Parry
After dealing with a troubling economy, expensive trips to SEMA, a slew of medical issues in the family and a heaping plate at work, the Nerd Rods shop had to put building immaculate trucks for friends and family on the back burner. However, they’re a resilient bunch, and once they were able to smooth out some of their setbacks they started on a striking Chevy truck that can make any hot rodder salivate.
Out from the pile of scrap in their yard, they were only one finder shy of a complete 1955-1956 truck. So, with their father’s Subaru not long for this world, they started building a replacement in the form of a ‘55 Chevy.
Showing what they can achieve on a modest budget, this truck was intended as a no-frills daily driver on the cheap. The motor, a 5.3L LS and 4L60E suspended by C4 Corvette Suspension, QA1 Coil Over shocks and C6 Corvette Wheels were all purchased for a few grand, and with extra some goodies collecting dust in the garage, they added a Dana 44 with 4.10 Gears and replaced the 4L60E with a T56 from a 2002 Camaro.
A minor tweak of the firewall was all that was needed to get the new powerplant in place. More challenging was the fitment of the drivetrain with the intended ride height. This is the lowest the body can sit on the chassis, and because the truck’s oil pan was scraping the ground, they raised the engine a bit. While this isn’t good for the center of gravity, it kept them from having to purchase a custom oil pan. Besides, it’s a truck — not a sports car.
After realizing a set of plush seats from a 2011 Mustang were a little too thick for the confines of the cabin, they grabbed a set of Corbeau racing seats and bent the bolsters out to accommodate a generously proportioned gentleman. MIG-welding the frame, they powercoated the suspension pieces and added a set of 13” big brakes all around to keep this heavyweight safe — which they would certainly need with the upcoming power bump on the horizon.
With their father’s seventieth birthday coming up, they decided to add a little more to the sundae — this time, an LSA supercharger as the cherry sitting atop the the scrumptious engine. However, it would soon be replaced for an STS single turbocharger.
When dotted with a new Holley intake, that incredible 105mm TB and the turbo sitting beside the gearbox, the engine package was something at which to marvel.
Mounted on the primered body, the beauty is hard to put into words. For those who want to keep tabs on this motivating, heartfelt and impressive project, see the progress here or visit the Nerd Rods website.