From bumper to bumper, Brad Swaney’s 1971 Chevy C10 is pure hot rodding perfection. It wears a mind-blowing custom orange finish, plus there’s a big, bad Chevy 454 in the immaculately prepared engine bay, and a smooth-as-glass black walnut deck in the short bed. In fact, everywhere you look Brad’s incredible talent shows through. You just know he’s been at it for a while, and you’re right. But what might surprise you is…he’s only 22.
At an early age, Brad cut his teeth helping his father in the family hot rod shop. In his spare time, you’d likely find him painting scale models or even a friend’s pedal car. “When I was 14, my dad gave me the C10,” says Brad. “It was rough. When we tore it down, it was supposed to be a daily driver. But after I painted the frame, I knew the truck would be too nice for that.”
Too nice, indeed! But this story—like Brad—is just getting started. Click the Slide Show link above, and see what a talented young man can accomplish with a little help from his family and friends.
Story By: James Millar
Photography By: Kaminski Studio
FAST SPECS
Chassis
Frame: Stock
Rear End: 3.73:1 ring and pinion, GM limited slip differential
Suspension: Classic Performance Products suspension system
Brakes: Classic Performance Products disc brake system
Wheels and Tires: Billet Specialties Turbine wheels (20" x 10" front, 20" x 12" rear); Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (295/35R20 front, 345/30R20 rear)
Engine and Transmission
Engine: Chevy 454, bored .030" over
Induction: Holley 650 cfm Street Avenger carburetor, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold
Ignition and Electrical: Accel distributor, MSD 6AL ignition control, Taylor 8mm ignition wires, American Autowire wiring harness, Powermaster starter and alternator, Optima RedTop battery
Exhaust: Hedman Hedders ceramic coated headers, 3" polished stainless steel exhaust, MagnaFlow mufflers
Transmission: GM TH-700-R4
Other Items: Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine system, Spal electric fan, Eddie Motorsports billet hood hinges, ARP fasteners
Exterior
Bodywork By: Brad and Mike Swaney
Body Modifications: Shaved drip rails, fuel spout removed, smoothed roof seam, stake pockets removed, flush side markers, smoothed engine bay, widened wheelwells, hand-built black walnut bed floor
Paint By: Brad and Mike Swaney
Paint: Axalta custom color
Interior
Upholstery: Relicate Rich Clay leather upholstery, Relicate brown square-weave carpeting
Upholstery By: Smith’s Custom Seats
Other Items: Billet Specialties Monaco steering wheel, custom gauge panel and center console by Brad Swaney, AutoMeter custom gauges, RetroSound radio, Rockford Fosgate speakers
Special Thanks To: My Mom and Dad, Allan and A.J. Stewart, Frankie Guy, Dominic Ponterero, Mike Lavish, Paul Fertal
