Greg Kathrein’s Little Honey on the Side

DOTED ON, labored over, and with more time spent in the garage at night than in bed, there’s a reason why so many automotive enthusiasts refer to their project vehicle as their “mistress” (generally with permission from their better halves, of course). For Greg Kathrein of Mesa, Arizona, nothing could be closer to the truth. He dubbed his gorgeous ’66 GMC pickup build the Mistress from day one.

The pickup is now a far cry from the semi-original pickup with “some rust” that Greg originally purchased back in the day.

With a love for trucks that goes as far back as Greg’s early childhood, it’s no wonder that he eventually ended up with the truck of his dreams, albeit through plenty of hard work and determination because there were many setbacks along the way. In Greg’s own words, “There’s just nothing better than an old truck laid out on the ground and tucking some wheel.” So when the opportunity arose to purchase a classic C-10 from his friend’s father, it was a no-brainer.

After just a few days of having the keys to the pickup in hand and having always had an affinity for the famed Dino- and Delmo-styled trucks, Greg already had his project stripped down to its frame with a number of parts on order. Of course, the rest is history, since obviously the pickup is now a far cry from the semi-original pickup with “some rust” that Greg originally purchased back in the day.

Dropped, ’bagged and tuckin’, the Mistress now sports a trailing arm rear suspension with PB Fab A-arms taking care of business up front, along with extreme drop members and FOX shocks all the way around. Stuffed deep into those hefty wheel wells are 22-inch Centerline smoothies, and GMC hubcaps wrapped in Falken rubber to really give this truck its personality and menacing looks.

Of course, many slammed trucks also want a little “go” to add to the “show” so Greg opted to fit his classic GMC with a more modern LS power plant lightly massaged to get 425 ponies out of it. Backed by a 700R4 automatic transmission and a Flowmaster exhaust that purrs for days, the bite is definitely as loud as the bark.

Greg wanted to showcase his talents on a fullcustom-built C-10 so he took time and care to get his truck just right.

As far as overall aesthetics go, Greg was able to teach this old GMC a few new tricks. With a classic GMC grille and minor details, like shaved bolts on the bumpers, Greg’s truck looks sleek under a Diamont Desert Sage Green Metallic paint scheme with flattering black accents in the form of headlight bezels, taillight surrounds and door handles. Inside, the truck exhibits a similarly simple yet sleek design, with the standard bench seat wrapped in leather and matching door panels, Rockford Fosgate speakers and the dash is the same color as the body.

Greg wanted to showcase his talents on a full-custom-built C-10 so he took time and care to get his truck just right. Which certainly isn’t a surprise, because every relationship takes time and care to blossom, even those on the side.

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BUILD SPECS

OWNER

GREG KATHREIN
1966 GMC Pickup
Mesa, AZ

ENGINE

• 5.3L Chevy LS V-8 425 hp
• COMP Cams camshaft
• Custom air cleaner
• Sanderson headers
• Flowmaster mufflers
• Chevy 700R4 automatic transmission
• Rear-mounted gas tank
• Assembled by owner

SUSPENSION & CHASSIS

• PB Fab front A-arms
• PB Fab Extreme drop members front and rear
• McGaughy’s spindles
• Trailing arm rear suspension
• Airbags at all four corners
• FOX shocks
• Viair compressors
• Accuair air management system
• Disc brakes
• Wilwood master cylinder
• Dana 44 rearend
• 4.56 rearend gears
• Performed by PB Fab and Owner

WHEELS & TIRES

• 22×9-inch Centerline smoothies; polished lip with black centers and GMC hub caps
• 265/30ZR22 Falken FK 452

BODY & PAINT

• Black painted grille, bumpers and other accent pieces
• Shaved bolts on front and rear bumper
• Sheet metal bed floor
• Painted Diamont Desert Sage Green Metallic
• Performed by GK Kustomz (Matty Tassel, Anthony McDermott and Owner)

INTERIOR & STEREO

• Leather upholstery
• Bench seat
• SoCal steering wheel
• Upholstery by Cellobs Custom
• Auto Meter gauges
• Rockford Fosgate speakers
• Stinger sound deadener
• Optima Battery
• Stereo by GK Kustomz

Special Thanks: “First off, a huge thanks to my future wife Christina Schreiner and our two kids Brittany and Chase for all of their support and putting up with the long hours and late nights. Also to Porterbuilt (PB Fab) for building such awesome suspension components, Accuair for the air management, Cellobs Custom Interior for hooking up the inside. A giant debt of gratitude goes out to Matty Fassl and Anthony McDermott for helping with the bodywork as well as Pro-Dyno for the awesome tune and keeping her running awesome.”

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