454-POWERED 1963 GMC 1000

OVERVIEW

This award-winning 1963 GMC 1000 Wide-Side pickup is the result of a $100,000+, 900-hour custom build by Tre5 Customs of Peoria, Arizona and was featured in Classic Truck Performance magazine. It draws power from a rebuilt fuel-injected 454ci big-block V8 and channels it through a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and an Auburn Gear limited-slip differential. Equipment includes a power-coated custom chassis, an air suspension with Slam Specialties and VIAIR components, a 2,600-watt audio system, Restomod Air air conditioning, Baer disc brakes, and power rack-and-pinion steering. Finished in Kurkuma Yellow Metallic over a tan leather TMI interior, this GMC truck, also known as "Borracho," is now offered by the selling dealer with a clear Arizona title.

EXTERIOR – FEATURES

During the build process, the exterior was coated in Volkswagen-derived Kurkuma Yellow Metallic paint and House of Kolor clearcoat; the trim received a matching candy powder coating and a clearcoat. Additional features include quad headlights, bead-rolled sheet metal fenders, “Borracho” badging, and an air-actuated tonneau cover that conceals an upholstered trunk area. The selling dealer notes that this pickup has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Paint.

EXTERIOR – WHEELS AND TIRES

The powder- and clear-coated 22-inch front and 24-inch rear Intro Flow two-piece billet aluminum wheels are wrapped in 265/30/22 front and 275/30/24 rear Toyo tires.

INTERIOR – FEATURES

The interior of the cab was redone by Elevated Design of Phoenix, Arizona and comes furnished with a saddle leather split-bench seat from TMI along with matching upholstery for the TMI door panels, TMI steering wheel, custom-built center console, kick panels, and trim panels. Amenities include an ididit steering column connected to power rack-and-pinion steering, Vibro Solution sound-damping material, Restomod Air climate control with billet vents, and a 2,600-watt audio system with a Pioneer double-DIN head unit connected to four 13.5-inch JL Audio subwoofers.

INTERIOR – GAUGES

The Dakota Digital HDX gauges include a 160-mph speedometer, an 8K-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and voltage. The digital odometer reads 653 miles, which the selling dealer reports to be accurate.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

The rebuilt 454ci big-block V8 has been upgraded with FiTech throttle body fuel injection and a Trick Flow top-end kit including aluminum cylinder heads, a mild camshaft, and roller rockers. Additional equipment includes a handmade Entropy aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, Painless Performance Products wiring, and a polished All American Billet pulley setup for the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and high-flow water pump. The engine is fed by a 20-gallon aluminum fuel cell between the rear frame rails. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a column-shifted TH400 three-speed automatic transmission with an upgraded valve body and torque converter. The rear end is a narrowed 12-bolt Chevrolet unit with 3.73:1 gearing and an Auburn Gear limited-slip differential.

UNDERCARRIAGE

The powder-coated custom chassis is equipped with Porterbuilt Fabrication components, Slam Specialties airbags, and an Air Lift Performance 3H auto-leveling air management system connected to dual aluminum tanks and a pair of VIAIR compressors. Stopping power comes from Baer Pro+ brakes with 14-inch cross-drilled, slotted, and vented rotors with billet six-piston calipers at all four corners. The exhaust system consists of three-inch mandrel-bent and TIG-welded pipe, and Borla mufflers.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

This vehicle passed a California smog test in 2022. The first GrinderTV video below shows the vehicle in more detail and an interview with the previous owner, Frank Rechlin of IKandy Paintworks in Peoria, Arizona. The second shows the truck being sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January 2022.