Brandon Allen’s 1968 GMC C-10

FOR BRANDON ALLEN, being a part of the custom automotive lifestyle has made him who he is today. Starting more than 13 years ago, Brandon’s passion developed while hanging out with friends as they worked on their own vehicles. It wasn’t too long before he landed a great deal on a Cadillac and started building his own custom.

Around 2008, Brandon noticed more and more custom trucks on the street. So he sold his Caddy and picked up a ’68 GMC C-10 for the low price of $2,500. The truck needed some attention, but after consulting his best friend Ryan Lownes, they determined that his recent purchase was in worse condition than Brandon originally thought. In fact, they were both shocked to discover the amount of body filler on the truck. It was also very unstable to drive—a disaster waiting to happen.

Most weak-hearted owners would have turned a blind eye to the truck, selling and salvaging whatever they could get out of it.

Most weak-hearted owners would have turned a blind eye to the truck, salvaging whatever they could and selling the rest. That wasn’t the case for Brandon. After sitting down with Ryan, who happened to own his own custom shop, Form & Function, the two formulated a plan to bring the truck back from the dead and transform it into a serious head-turner.

The metamorphosis began in Ryan’s shop, where the truck was completely torn down to the frame so Ryan could build a new custom chassis for a 3-inch body drop. Next, the old, worn-out rear axle was pitched and replaced with a 1995 Caprice rearend and a set of SSBC disc brakes. To connect the new rear assembly to the chassis, a 4-link bar setup was fabricated to allow the Slam Specialties ’bags maximum travel. At the front of the chassis, a set of Air Ride strong arms was installed so the frame could lay flat on the ground.

Ryan didn’t have to push Brandon to swap out the original motor/trans assembly for a newer LS-1 package from a 2002 Firebird. To add a little shine to the engine bay, a Street and Performance air cleaner replaced the stock piece. To get the exhaust gasses out as quickly as possible, Ryan made a set of custom stainless steel 2 ½-inch headers that freely flow down to a custom exhaust and mufflers.

This truck shows just how much passion Brandon put into a project that was once left for dead.

After replacing the Bondo-filled body panels, a clean, original design was sought with two-tone paint in Lotus White and VW Gunmetal. The same style was carried into the interior with touches of VW Gunmetal. To keep Brandon and his family cool during trips, a Classic Auto Air AC system was installed. Wrapping up the plans for the exterior, a wood bed kit was installed with the center section exposed to show off the rear suspension work.

Even though nearly the entire truck had to be rebuilt or replaced, Brandon couldn’t be happier with the amount of dedication and detail that Ryan put into his C-10. This truck shows just how much passion Brandon put into a project that was once left for dead. Now Brandon can enjoy an evening cruise with his family by his side.

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BUILD SPECS

OWNER

BRANDON ALLEN
1968 GMC C-10
Blair, OK
Negative Camber

ENGINE

• 2002 Firebird V-8 LS-1
• Corvette engine covers
• March performance belt drive
• Griffin radiator/cooling fan
• Custom stainless steel 2 ½-inch headers
• Stainless steel cusotm exhaust and mufflers
• Street & Performance air cleaner
• Painless wiring harness
• GM 4L60-E transmission

SUSPENSION

• Shop: Form & Function
• Custom-made chassis
• Ridetech control arms
• Slam Specialties ’bags
• SSBC brakes
• Corvette master cylinder and brake booster
• Custom rear 4-link
• 1995 Caprice rearend with 3.23 gears

WHEELS & TIRES

• 22×9.5 Coys C-5
• 255-35-22 Capitol Sport UHP Plus

BODY & PAINT

• Shop: Form & Function
• 3-inch body drop
• Modified rear wheel tubs
• Wood bed floor
• Lotus White and VW Gunmetal two-tone paint job

INTERIOR

• Shop: Form & Function
• Stock bench seat wrapped in black leather
• Stewart Warner gauges in Classic Dash gauge bezel
• Classic Air air conditioning unit
• Painless wiring harness

Special Thanks: Ryan Lownes with Form & Function and wife Jennifer Allen

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