Robert Meza’s 1989 Chevrolet 1500

Sometimes the only reason you need to do something is because you can. When Pearland, Texas, resident Robert Meza set out to build his ’89 Chevrolet 1500, he wanted to make it different from any he had seen before. He also wanted to push the limits at his shop, Alamo Customs. He had visions of grandeur for his new project. Whether that was with the motor, the interior or even the bodywork, Meza was set on making this a groundbreaking truck. 

From the beginning Meza knew he did not want his 1500 to look like any other. Starting with the chassis, the suspension and frame began to change. Using Belltech spindles, a 2-link mixed with Slam Specialties ’bags and a C-notched frame, the ’89 started making progress moving towards its new home on the ground. A narrowed 1995 Impala rearend was tucked underneath the laid-out bed frame, with the added bonus of the rear disc brake setup from the Impala eliminating the 1500’s old drum brakes. Meza and the Alamo Customs crew added an aluminum fuel cell in a new position beneath the bed, effectively hiding the gas filler behind the rear license plate.

A beautifully polished 350-hp Vortex V-8 sits pretty in its freshly created frame. Sporting both an Edelbrock carburetor and an intake manifold, the stocky V-8 also includes many fresh billet parts: valve covers, air breather, pulleys—you get the idea. The Hooker headers leading to the Magnaflow mufflers make sure you hear this 1500 coming before you see it. Zachary Hammond helped Meza make sure no detail was ignored in the engine bay. Once the bodywork was finished, Meza and the Alamo team even went back into the bay and added custom bead-rolled filler panels to tuck the motor away cleanly. Rolling on a fully polished, staggered set of Budnik Sweeper wheels, the truck known as the Overcomer made its way to the next stage of its build.

From the beginning Meza knew he did not want his 1500 to look like any other.”

When the bodywork began it was obvious that this wouldn’t be a basic 1500 project. The front end was transformed with an Escalade hood, front bumper and front headlights. The Alamo Customs crew put in countless hours of bodywork to mold this truck into a one-of-a-kind creation. The top of the cab was chopped 2 3/8 inches, and a one-off rearend that mimics a Cadillac with 1999 de Ville taillights creates a sleeker look.

Picking a paint color is never easy, but copper just seemed right, so Meza mixed a custom PPG blend with copper flake. When the sun hits the paint, there aren’t too many things that could make you take your eyes off the truck.

When the truck arrived at Heath Moore interiors, it was obvious how special this build had become. So there wouldn’t be anything standard about the interior when this ’89 rolled into its first show, the factory seats were reshaped and covered by Miguel Tornero using tan Ultra Leather. A custom dash was built to show off the clean lines and unique trim throughout the cab and door panels of the classy interior. In true Budnik fashion, a steering wheel that matches the polished wheels was added. A streamlined set of Dakota Digital gauges was added to the center dash to avoid distracting from the newly created interior lines. A center-mounted 10-inch Android tablet controls the powerful Pioneer and Kicker stereo setup, powered by the always reliable Optima Yellow Top.

With that Overcomer was ready to roll out and turn heads at shows across the county. Robert Meza wants to give a special thanks to the entire crew at Alamo Customs for all of their help as always, and also to his amazing wife for backing him in everything he wants to pursue in or out of the shop. ST

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TRUCK SPECS

Owner

Robert Meza    
1989 Chevrolet 1500
Pearland, TX

Engine

• Work performed by Zachary Hammond
• 350-hp Vortex V-8
• Aluminum three-row radiator
• Edelbrock carburetor
• Edelbrock intake manifold
• Dual electric cooling fans
• Billet air breather
• Billet valve covers painted to match
• Vintage Air AC and accessory drive system
• Braided hoses
• Billet pulleys
• Custom bead-rolled filler panels around the motor
• Hooker headers
• Magnaflow chrome mufflers
• Aluminum fuel cell
• Automatic 700R4 transmission
• Billet shifter

Chassis & Suspension 

• Belltech spindles
• Custom rear 2-link
• C-notched frame
• Slam Specialties airbags
• Narrowed 1995 Impala rearend with disc brake setup

Wheels & Tires 

• 20×8.5 and 22x10Budnick Sweeper wheel with polished finish
• 265/35R20 and 285/35R22 Nitto tires

Body & Paint 

• Shop: Robert Meza at Alamo Customs in Alvin, TX
• 1999 Escalade hood, front bumper and headlights
• Custom-built rearend to resemble a Cadillac
• 1999 Cadillac de Ville taillights
• Custom-built bed cover upholstered to fit
• Malibu door handles
• Top chopped 2 3/8 inches
• Cut rear glass to fit
• Stainless mesh grille
• Moved gas filler behind rear license plate
• Tubbed fenders
• Notched bed floor
• Custom-mixed PPG copper

Interior & Stereo  

• Shop: Heath Moore Interiors
• Factory seats reshaped and covered by Miguel Tornero
• Tan Ultra Leather
• Custom dashboard
• Budnik Sweeper steering wheel
• Custom seat belts by Miguel Tornero
• Tan carpet
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Custom headliner and console
• Mazda three-door handles
• Custom door panels
• 10-inch Android tablet to control sound system
• Pioneer 6.5-inch speakers and components in doors
• Kicker three-channel 500-watt amplifier
• Kicker competition 10-inch subwoofer
• Tweeters installed behind Mazda door handles
• Optima Yellow Top battery

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