The 1961 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside represents an era of transition where truck design began to embrace bolder, more sculptural lines. This particular pickup takes that vintage aesthetic and pair it with an incredible modern mechanical heartbeat. Purchased in 2024, the vehicle underwent a radical transformation that turned a classic workhorse into a high-performance street machine. It maintains a weathered, authentic exterior while hiding a sophisticated chassis underneath the skin. Every modification serves to enhance the driving experience without erasing the truck’s storied past.
Exterior Patina and Custom Bed Details
The body of this 1961 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside wears its history proudly through worn green and white paint. To preserve this unique look, the surface was sanded and sealed under a protective matte clearcoat. Structural integrity was prioritized with repairs to the floors, cab corners, and rocker panels before the frame was treated with POR-15. The Fleetside bed now features a raised wood-plank floor and a custom-mounted fuel tank for better weight distribution. A rear roll pan and bedside-exit exhaust tips complete the truck’s aggressive, low-profile silhouette.
Wheels and High-Performance Braking
The truck achieves a perfect stance using a staggered set of Halibrand slotted wheels, measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches in the rear. These are wrapped in Atturo AZ850 tires designed to handle the massive torque of the twin-turbo system. Stopping power is managed by a premium Wilwood four-wheel disc brake setup. This system provides the necessary confidence when reigning in the significant horsepower of the modern V8. These components work together to ensure the truck handles more like a modern sports car than a sixties utility vehicle.
Chassis Engineering and Suspension Tuning
The original frame of the 1961 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside has been heavily modified to support its new performance goals. Up front, a later-model C10 crossmember was integrated alongside drop spindles and rack-and-pinion steering. The rear utilizes a custom-fabricated triangulated four-link assembly with a 9-inch Quick Performance rear end. Adjustable coilovers at all four corners allow for precise tuning of the ride height and stiffness. While currently on coilovers, the truck retains the plumbing and compressors for a future return to air suspension if the owner chooses.
Interior Simplicity and Digital Upgrades
The cabin of the 1961 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside maintains a period-correct feel while integrating essential modern data points. Gray vinyl trims the classic bench seat, providing a durable and clean seating surface. A custom shifter rises from the floor to control the five-speed manual gearbox with precision. Dakota Digital gauges now sit in the factory cluster location, offering clear readouts for boost pressure and engine vitals. This blend of old-school style and new-school tech ensures the driver remains informed without cluttering the vintage dashboard design.
Vortec V8 Performance and Twin-Turbo Specs
The mechanical soul of this 1961 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside is a rebuilt 6.0-liter Vortec V8 featuring a BTR Truck Norris camshaft. Two Precision Turbo 6176 turbochargers provide massive forced induction through a Holley Sniper dual-plenum intake manifold. The setup includes methanol injection and a large intercooler to keep intake temperatures low during high-boost runs. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Tremec TKX five-speed manual transmission and a McLeod twin-disc clutch. This drivetrain is engineered to deliver explosive acceleration while remaining surprisingly drivable on the street.
Summary of the Twin-Turbo C10
The 1961 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside restomod is a rare find that appeals to both purists and performance junkies. Its “shabby chic” exterior hides world-class engineering and a drivetrain capable of staggering performance numbers. Every part of the build, from the four-link rear suspension to the twin-turbo plumbing, shows a high level of technical skill. It offers a unique opportunity to own a truck that can win awards at a show and then dominate at the drag strip. This Chevrolet is a definitive statement in the world of custom American pickups.
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Source: bringatrailer.com
