A Modern Classic

In the classic truck scene, there is a constant struggle between modern engineering and traditional styling. Every enthusiast has felt the pull to keep a project as factory original as possible, while they also feel the push to complete a custom infused with modern technology. For Omar “Tino” Garza, this tug o’ war led to the perfect project build. The subject was his ’79 Chevy C-10 Cheyenne, and the result is his latest venture, built to drop jaws at SEMA and sport the latest and greatest from his faithful sponsors. As you can see, Dimples is an absolute homerun, perfectly blending modern style with classic heritage.

Omar’s C-10 is a bolt-by-bolt custom. Like all things that are well built, a solid foundation was developed first. The truck sports a full custom chassis with Porterbuilt components that still makes room for a narrowed rearend. The custom chrome-moly axles channel power from the 4.10 gears to the massive custom rear wheels. The rear suspension configuration is a team effort among Porterbuilt suspension, Ridetech shocks and Air Lift Dominator airbags. A similar arrangement makes the equally dramatic front drop possible and deploys custom Porterbuilt control arms.

In one fell swoop,  Omar has built a truck that retains the best of the best in regard to original styling and mixes it with minimalistic modern essentials.”

The extensive suspension and chassis customizations are what make the wickedly low stance possible while tucking massive rollers. The stars of the show are the American Racing VF509s finished in a beautiful combination of titanium gray powder coat and polished accents. The fronts are 22×9 inches, and the rears check in at 22×12. Though hidden from sight by the timeless wheel design, the rollers are bolstered with CPP front and rear disc brakes.

The torque-monster power plant LS1 hosts a number of custom and aftermarket accessories to strike the perfect balance between hot-rodding and efficiency. For cooling, the motor uses an Edelbrock water pump fed by a Griffin radiator. PSI wiring and a Powermaster alternator take care of the electrical support. The engine inhales through a K&N air cleaner attached to a Professional Products intake manifold, and loudly exhales through a custom 3-inch stainless exhaust, ending in Magnaflow muffler tunes. The engine is paired with a 4L60E for stout, reliable gear-shifting performance.

Next on the docket was a slight customization of the truck’s iconic body style that maintained its factory-designed beauty. The infamous brothers of SoCal Autobody completed the bodywork with some serious labor-intensive metalwork and paint prep. The original chrome accents were repolished, as were the front and rear bumpers, and the original square-body grille. While the truck’s body appears to be factory original, a keen eye will quickly locate modifications upon further inspection. Underneath the hood, custom inner fenders tightly hug the motor to provide clean clearance for the front suspension and wheels. The truck’s back half is outfitted with a raised steel bed to house the air suspension components and custom fuel tank. The bed has been finished to factory spec.

Next, the truck was finish-prepped. Under the hood high gloss black acts as a mirrored surface to show off the sheet metal and motor. The bed was sprayed with LINE-X for classic styling and utility. The factory exterior Coronado Red was kept intact.

Working with the original styling of the rest of Omar’s truck, the interior was adorned with custom red carpet and upholstery. Victor’s Upholstery began with the original bench seat, wrapping it in period-correct crimson leather. The dash was wrapped to match as well, effortlessly complementing the modern touches. The dash displays crucial information via Dakota Digital gauges, which are housed in a brushed stainless steel bezel. Vintage Air AC is monitored using the factory climate control switches. The factory door handles, panels and headliner round out the interior.

The completed equation of top-shelf aftermarket products, custom style and fabrication, and timeless truck design by General Motors all make this Chevy a true modern classic. In one fell swoop, Omar has built a truck that retains the best of the original styling and mixes it with minimalistic modern essentials. His initial goal of blending the traditional with the modern to create a masterpiece of well-made products is far surpassed by the final outcome.

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BUILD SPECS

OWNER

Omar “Tino” Garza
1979 Chevy C-10 Cheyenne
Bermuda Dunes, CA
Severed Ties

Engine

• LS1 Chevy small-block V-8
• K&N air cleaner
• Professional Products intake manifold
• Drive Junky serpentine kit
• Custom 3-inch exhaust
• 4L60E trans
• Edelbrock water pump
• Griffin radiator
• Dual electric fans
• Powermaster alternator
• PSI Wiring

Chassis & Suspension

• Porterbuilt Dropmember 7
• Porterbuilt control arms
• Porterbuilt rear 4-link
• Crown Suspension spindles
• AccuAir management
• Ridetech shocks
• Air Lift Dominator airbags
• VIAIR black 444cc compressor
• Custom chrome-moly axles
• CPP four-wheel disc brakes, master cylinder and booster

Wheels & Tires

• 22×9 and 22×12 American Racing VF509 titanium gray powder coat and polished hoops
• 255/30R22 and 325/30R22 Lionheart

Body & Paint

• Factory-restored body
• Factory Coronado Red paint
• Precision Replacement Parts seals
• Slosh Tubz front inner fenders
• Raised bed floor
• LINE-X spray-on bedliner
• Black-painted engine bay

Interior & Stereo

• Factory headliner, carpet and door panels
• Custom red leather on factory bench seat
• Custom red leather on factory dash
• Upholstery by Victor’s Upholstery
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Custom brushed stainless steel gauge bezel
• Vintage Air AC

Special Thanks From the Owner: “Big thank you to all my sponsors: American Racing, AccuAir, Porterbuilt, Precision Replacement Parts, Dakota Digital, Professional Products, Slosh Tubz, CPP, Silent Coat, Hubcaps PHX, Royal Purple, Drive Junky, Fred’s Truck Parts, Johny’s Garage, SoCal Autobody and AZ Pro Performance.”

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