AS SEEN IN OUR C10 Builders Guide Fall 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now!

Lady In Red

Shane McPherson is no stranger to the custom truck world. Long before his truck, Clara, ever took shape, he had already made a name for himself with a fully customized 2000 GMC Sonoma that earned a feature in Mini Truckin’ magazine back in April of 2003. That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy; it’s the result of long nights, attention to detail, and an instinct for what works. Even back then, Shane understood how to take a platform and push it beyond expectations.

 These days, Shane channels that same passion into his business, Marietta Truck and Design, in Marietta, Georgia, where customizing trucks isn’t just a hobby; it’s part of everyday life. Being immersed in that environment has a way of sharpening your eye. You see trends come and go. You learn what holds up over time and what fades out. And eventually, whether you plan it or not, the itch to build something for yourself comes back.

For Shane, that itch wasn’t about chasing trends or building something over-the-top just to stand out. It was about reconnecting with a feeling. When asked what drove him to start another project, his answer was simple: he wanted to relive the experience of driving a squarebody like he did back in his high school days. Yep, he cruised through campus and around town back then, but this time, he wanted to elevate the experience in every possible way. This project wouldn’t just be a recreation but an amplification of that memory.

 

From the start, the goal wasn’t to reinvent Shane’s old squarebody—it was to refine it. The truck retains the unmistakable lines that made these C10s iconic in the first place. There’s no mistaking its heritage. But where a factory truck might have once been simple and utilitarian, this C10 carries itself with a level of presence that only comes from thoughtful execution. The stance is dialed, giving the truck an aggressive yet composed posture that feels just as at home parked at a show as it would cruising down a back road.

Shane soon called on Barry Bruce for the engine work. The tired, worn-down factory 305 ci V8 was pulled and replaced with a freshly built Chevy 350 ci V8 out of a 1971 Camaro. It was stroked to 355 ci using some of the best components available, including Speed-Pro pistons, roller rockers, a COMP cam, and ported and polished Edelbrock heads, along with a matching intake and 650 cfm carburetor. Helping the engine breathe and sound as good as it performs are Hooker Headers flowing into dual Flowmaster 40 Series mufflers.

 With over 400 horsepower on tap, Shane made sure the drivetrain could handle it by upgrading to a GM TH400 transmission paired with a 2800-stall torque converter, ensuring the power is properly planted to the rear end.

Once the engine and transmission were dialed in, attention turned to the chassis and suspension. For that, Shane called on longtime friend and custom truck builder, Mike Reeves, at Endless Fabrication in Dallas, Georgia. Mike removed the factory front suspension and replaced it with QA1 adjustable coilovers and tubular control arms. Out back, he installed a flip kit, C-notch, and QA1 shocks to achieve the lowered stance Shane was after.

For improved handling, a rack-and-pinion steering setup was added, along with a Baer brake system featuring drilled and slotted discs to ensure reliable stopping power. The truck rides on 20×8.5-inch and 20×10-inch Billet Specialties wheels wrapped in 245/45/20 and 275/40/20 BFGoodrich tires. This combination gives the C10 an aggressive, well-balanced stance.

Once the suspension and drivetrain were where Shane wanted them, it was time to work on the body. Shane called on his friend, Billy Goff, at Body Works by Jesse in Adairsville, Georgia. Billy started by shaving the side marker lights, stake pockets, drip rails, and mirrors, then tackled the body to get it ready for the custom one-off candy-red paint job.

Next up was achieving that deep gloss look. No custom build reaches that next level without exceptional finish work, and that’s where this C10 truly separates itself. The paint is impossible to ignore—it’s deep, reflective, and almost liquid-like in appearance. It’s the kind of finish that stops people mid-step and pulls them in for a closer look. Achieving that level of depth required an extraordinary amount of effort. Kevin Ledford of Alpha Detailing dedicated roughly 70 hours to perfecting the surface. The process included a meticulous three-stage wet sanding followed by a two-stage polish, ultimately sealed with a Gtechniq ceramic coating to lock in that unmistakable wet look. It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t just enhance the truck; it transforms it. Under sunlight, the paint seems to glow. Under artificial light, it reflects like a mirror. Up close, it reveals a level of craftsmanship that only comes from patience and precision. It’s not just about shine; it’s about clarity, depth, and the ability to make a surface feel alive.

Inside the cab, Shane focused on comfort and refinement. He laid down Dynamat sound-deadening material on the floors, cab walls, and behind the panels to quiet the road noise. The factory bench seat was replaced with a Snowden custom bench wrapped in black leather with red diamond stitching. Finishing off the interior are a Billet Specialties steering wheel, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, and Vintage Air climate control—perfect for keeping cool during the South’s hot summers.

Shane dedicated the build to his longtime friend, Al Adams, who recently passed away. That kind of dedication changes the entire perspective of a project. Suddenly, it’s not just about getting the details right; it’s about honoring someone throughout the process. Every decision and every hour spent refining the truck becomes part of something bigger. There’s a sense of purpose behind it. It doesn’t feel rushed or thrown together. It feels complete in a way that goes beyond parts and paint. It feels like a tribute to something built with intention, not just ambition. That emotional connection is what elevates Shane’s C10 beyond the typical show truck. It’s what gives it a story.

That approach to the project also reflects how much Shane has grown as a builder. Comparing this truck to his earlier work, you can see the evolution. Where his Sonoma build represented the energy and experimentation of the early 2000s scene, his C10 represents refinement. It shows what happens when experience meets restraint and when you know not just how to build something impressive but ultimately how to build something meaningful.

Owner

Shane McPherson
1987 Chevrolet C10

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

350 ci small-block Chevy stroked to 355 ci
Chevrolet block (1971 Camaro-based)
Edelbrock 650 cfm carburetor
Ported and polished cylinder heads
Custom COMP Cam
9.5:1 compression ratio
MSD ignition
Dual electric fans
Flowmaster 40 Series mufflers
TH400 automatic transmission
2800-stall torque converter
Stock rearend
3.73 gear ratio
31-spline axles
Eaton Posi differential
Stock driveshaft
Optima battery

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

QA1 adjustable coilovers front and rear
Tubular control arms
Drop spindles
Front sway bar
Rear flip kit
C-notch
Rear sway bar
Painted frame

WHEELS, TIRES & BRAKES

20×8.5-inch and 20×10-inch Billet Specialties wheels
245/45R20 and 275/40R20 BFGoodrich
Cross-drilled brakes, rear disc conversion

BODY & PAINT

Shaved marker lights, drip rails, mirrors, and bed stakes
Custom mixed candy red paint by Billy Coffey Body Shop, Adairsville, GA
Patriot bed liner

INTERIOR

Snowden bench seat
Black leather upholstery with red stitching
Dakota Digital VHX gauges
Billet Specialties steering wheel
Vintage Air climate control