Oftentimes our old truck projects commence for sentimental reasons, which far outweigh just wanting that particular type of truck. We’ve all heard the story of the one that got away. Sometimes it’s retrievable. When it’s not, cloning is the option, as it was for Riverside, California’s Ronnie Bauman. Yes, this time we’re talkin’ about my own dear ol’ dad. For Dad, whose standards have risen through the years, accurate cloning of the Bauman’s Auto Wrecking delivery truck would mean holding back. Now, given the quality and availability of reproduction parts for the GM brands today, holding back ain’t easy.
The original C10 shorty that inspired this carried-away clone was in fact rebuilt in the mid ’60s from late-model salvage. Although it was only one in a long string of fleet vehicles, it was special enough to receive extra gingerbread—things like twice-pipes, chromed-reversed wheels, and ARA underdash AC with a genuine Muntz Stereo-Pak alongside.
In the beginning that rebuilt C10 was Dad’s personal pickup. In later years it was passed around by delivery drivers, but that old truck was always well cared for as it served the family business. Then, in the middle of the ’70s, it was crashed a second time. I can still recall looking over the wreckage. The left front fender was relocated deep into the cab. Miraculously, the driver survived with a single lump on his head. He quickly mended and carried on, but alas, the truck did not.
At the end of its road, in true multi-function fashion, the old truck’s twisted remains served the family business in a new and different way—on stands in the wrecking yard. From there as a donor, Dad’s dearly departed pickup was dearly departed out, but it was never forgotten. Though other delivery trucks came, went, and earned their keep as well, Dad maintained a sentimental soft spot for his old C10—the one that got away.
So, what about the clone? Well, the project began with a decent enough 1964 C10 shorty. It really wasn’t bad, but even so, it was disassembled down to bare bones for a frame-up rebuild. Sure, Dad got some help from friends at local Riverside, California, shops, but the majority of the work was done in-house, right where the old wrecking yard used to be.
Quite appropriately, this pickup is powered by a good, used engine—a 350ci Chevrolet—sort of similar to the ones we used to sell. Beautified with brightwork bits from the Pomona swap meet and backed by a rebuilt 700-R4 from Budget Transmissions, “the little engine that could” still can.
This truck’s rear suspension is comprised of straightforward stock stuff with a six-lug-upgraded GM intermediate 10-bolt rearend, all freshened up in-house by Mike Alonso. Suspension up front is mostly stock with cut coils. The original ’60s-era delivery truck didn’t have that feature, or power steering, or power brakes for that matter. With a little help from Dave’s Wheel Alignment, those upgrades harmonize nicely and the clone is a pleasure to drive—especially with the tunes turned off. Joe’s Muffler Service bent up a set of Turbo-muffled custom twice-pipes, which pass the gas in soothing eight-part harmony of their own.
The underside floor and undercarriage are freshened up in OEM-style semigloss black. For the shiny side, Ghostly Gray Metallic is subtle enough that fit ’n’ finish speaks for itself. The bodywork and paint chores were farmed out to builder Alonso’s buddy, John, who is best known as a prolific painter of custom motorcycles. With the benefit of modern materials, the clone’s finish boasts depth and gloss—far beyond that of the original truck.
Once pounding, painting, and polishing were completed, assembly was handled in-house, again by Alonso. Alonso’s bag o’ tricks is a deep one, and he does some bitchin’ stitchin’ as well. Interior trim is his specialty. For Dad’s little truck, Alonso used a matching shade of gray vinyl, and although the original had a black rubber floormat, the dolled-up clone sports matching gray carpet. With Vintage Air components cleverly concealed, this truck’s dash is kept clean and simple with stock instrumentation.
It’s been said that it’s better to sit nice than ride nice. However, this little pickup does both well with stance-enhancing six-lug “Rallye” wheels from The Wheelsmith and the proper balance of Cooper Radial G/T rubber from another Riverside resource—Kuma Tire & Wheel.
The original ’60s-era Bauman’s Auto Wrecking delivery truck was a hard-working, long-hauling fleet vehicle that had to earn its keep. The clone gets to sleep indoors when it’s not propelling dear ol’ Dad to and from Tuxie’s (Riverside’s last-standing ’50s drive-in restaurant) monthly cruise nights, swap meets, and so on. Now let’s think. Where can we go to photograph a carried-away clone of an old wrecking yard’s old delivery truck? How about right here at its home?
Facts & Figures
CHASSIS
Frame: Stock
Rearend / Ratio: GM intermediate 10-bolt with six-lug upgrade
Rear Suspension: Stock
Rear Brakes: Drum-type
Front Suspension: Stock with cut coils
Front Brakes: Stock drum-type
Steering Box: PS by CPP
Front Wheels: The Wheelsmith six-lug “Rallye” 15×7
Rear Wheels: The Wheelsmith six-lug “Rallye” 15×8
Front Tires: Cooper Radial G/T P245/60R15
Rear Tires: Cooper Radial G/T P275/60R15
Gas Tank: Stock
DRIVETRAIN
Engine: 350ci SBC
Heads: Stock for engine
Valve Covers: Aftermarket aluminum swap meet scores
Manifold / Induction: Edelbrock with Edelbrock 600
Ignition: Mallory
Headers: By Doug
Exhaust / Mufflers: Turbo-muffled twice-pipes by Joe’s Muffler Service
Transmission: 700-R4 by Budget Transmissions
Shifter: Stock column-type
BODY
Style: Shortbed Fleetside
Modifications: Little things like frenched aerial, marine-type TG latches, and so on
Fenders Front / Rear: Stock
Hood: Stock
Grille: Reproduction swap meet score
Bodywork and Paint by: Mike Alonso’s buddy, John
Paint Type / Color: Acrylic urethane BC/CC, Ghostly Gray Metallic
Headlights / Taillights: Stock-type reproductions
Outside mirrors: Stock-type reproductions
Bumpers: Stock-type reproductions
INTERIOR
Dashboard: Stock
Gauges: Stock
Air Conditioning: Vintage Air
Stereo: JVC CD tuner, not Muntz
Steering Wheel: Camaro
Steering Column: Stock
Seats: Stock bench
Upholstery by: Mike Alonso
Material / Color: Gray vinyl
Carpet: Matching gray
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