1950 Chevrolet Truck - The Ride

Kilby's Chevy's Winding Road to Recovery From the September, 2011 issue of Custom Classic Trucks

By Dakota Wentz

It’s no lie when you hear folks talk about how it’s easier to just buy the truck you want, and 86 the idea of taking on a build. The truth of the matter is many get over zealous when taking on a project, and it’s not too long before they realize that they have bitten off more than they can chew. The reality is it’s quite a feat to actually finish a build. Even more of an accomplishment is how this ’50 Chevy came to be.

A few years back Jessica Kilby and her husband Scott embarked on a dream build. They kicked things off by purchasing this ’50 Chevy, and then followed things up by accumulating parts. Before too long there were truck parts in the garage, the attic, the laundry room, the cupboards and any other vacant spot around the house! As fate would have it, Scott passed away unexpectedly and as one would imagine, Jessica was a bit lost, especially about what to do with the truck. Yet, she decided it was only fitting that the Chevy be finished as Scott had planned. Enlisting the help of her father Ross, and Way Cool Rod Shop, the build was back on.

With the parts rounded up and dropped off at Way Cool Rod Shop, the crew planned the next wave of attack. They decided to stick with the S-10 donor chassis, but first a few new additions were needed. The first order of business was to box the chassis. Next, Way Cool outfitted the chassis with a set of two-inch drop spindles and lowering springs to achieve the right stance. The stock disc brakes were tossed for a set of high-performance Aerospace Components disc brakes, and the Chevy’s steering is taken care of via a new Flaming River rack-and-pinion. With the front buttoned up concentration was centered towards the rear. A ’79 Chevy truck 12-bolt with an Auburn posi-trac and Aerospace disc brakes was relocated under the Chevy using a set of lowering blocks, leaf springs and a new Panhard bar. Situated behind the rearend is a new stainless steel fuel cell. Luckily for Jessica, her father Ross stepped in to aid in the build. Even luckier is the fact Ross owns Gilbert Automotive, which played a key part in getting the Chevy up and running. The guy’s at Gilbert Automotive rustled up a ’71 350 block with four-bolt mains, which was punched .30-over. A set of TRW 9.5:1 pistons and rings were stuffed inside for horsepower. Rounding out the bottom end of the block is a Comp Cams 3/4 race bumpstick. The top end of the engine consists of a set of Edelbrock heads, a Professional Products intake manifold and an Edelbrock Street Series 600-cfm carburetor. The 350 is iced with a set of Billet Specialties valve covers, and a March Performance serpentine system and air cleaner. Resting behind the 350 is a 700-R4 transmission with an ATI 2500-stall converter and a Cool-It inline tranny cooler. Shifting is made possible with the addition of a B&M shifter.