Colorado’s mountain country is what you may call a typical setting for SUVs and trucks, but the “utility” vehicles we found at this year’s Super Chevy Show were far from your typical road-going vehicles. That’s especially the case with this 1968 Chevy C-10 owned by Bob Burnham Jr. of Loveland. Elegant with its classic Chevy C/K design, this particular truck is as cherry as they come and with a story behind it like Burnham’s, we just couldn’t resist diving in deeper.

Introduced in 1960, the classic C/K model trucks brought many firsts to the Chevy truck lineup, including a drop-center ladder frame, an independent front suspension, and a new designation system for half, three-quarter and one-ton trucks.

Among the models that existed was the C-10, a rear wheel drive, half-ton shortbed offered in Fleetside trim or as a fendered Stepside. Burnham’s Custom Sport  Truck was the top-of-the-line pickup in the day, and with some extra customizations, Burnham’s truck still remains so today.

Humble Beginnings

“I have been into cars since I was a little kid,” Burnham told us. “Since he was little, my dad was always into cars and I grew up around all sorts of cars from Mustangs to pickups. I used to spend all weekend with him out in the garage cleaning parts and learning how things work.”

In his blood from a young age, Burnham’s love for vehicles got the best of him in 1996, during his senior year of high school. It was then that Burnham bought this original and well-worn ‘68 farm truck from Brighton, Colorado, immediately taking it home to start the teardown process for a full restoration.

“I had a friend in high school who had a 1972 Chevy longbed and I always liked that truck,” Burnham said.

“I was never into all the musclecars as much, I always liked trucks so I looked at all the years and chose the ‘68 to fix up.”

Another thing that Burnham decided on rather quickly was the color of his truck. “I knew it had to be red. There’s no other color for a street rod, right?”

Down To The Nitty Gritty

With a love for the classic design of the truck, Burnham kept many components of the truck original, including the 327ci engine that still finds its home under the hood. Added to this for a bit more spice is a minimum bore of about 6 over, a street and strip camshaft from Erson, Hooker headers, an Edlebrock intake manifold and a Holley 600cfm carburetor. The classic engine with its upgrades gives the truck a decent 239hp and 260ft-lbs of torque and is currently backed by an overdrive 700R4. This makes for smooth shifting when driving alone or with a truck-load of people.

Talking about just the right amount of modifications, you’ll find a complete suspension system from a 1972 Chevy pickup under Burnham’s truck, complete with a 3.73 Posi-traction rearend. Enhancing this a bit, Burnham relocated the panhard bar and added components from Early Classic Enterprises of Fresno, California, like drop spindles and lowering springs. These modifications give the truck a slightly lowered stance, by 4 1/2 inches in the front and 6 inches in the rear, to be exact.

Continuing on with the 1972 Chevy truck components, Burnham upgraded the front brakes to stock ’72 Chevy discs and the rear brakes to drums found on the same model year. Wrapped around 17-inch American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels, you’ll find Falken G tire. This brake, wheel and tire combination make for a smoother driving experience and adequate stopping power when on the road without upgrading the truck to such an extreme that it would take away from its vintage appeal.

“There is really nothing I would change about the truck,” Burnham told us.

“I built it slowly and saved to make it just like I envisioned. I always wanted the truck to be mostly original with a few modern perks. It still gives the classic feeling when you get in and fire it up. In my mind it’s perfect and just the way I wanted it.”

From the front bumper to the rear taillights, Burnham's Chevy C-10 is extremely clean cut and reminiscent of the good 'ole days of Chevy trucks.

Intentions

Originally intended to be a daily driver, Burnham decided over the 10 year build that the truck would make a better show piece than anything. And with the truck’s gorgeous oak bed, custom fold-out taillight that conceals the gas filler (designed by Burnham and his dad), and the expertly laid 2003 Viper Red paint (laid by Mike Johnson of Past Times, Inc. in Estes Park, CO) , that seems to have been a wise choice.

“I had planned to just make the truck a daily driver, but the more I did to it the more I walked away from the daily driver [idea],” said Burnham.

“I was restoring and fixing everything and that just made it too nice to drive in the snow and rain and what not.”

To that end, the truck is now a frequent show-goer and true pleasure vehicle as Burnham enjoys driving the truck to local events and going on family cruises on the weekends.

A Family Matter

A true family affair, from the love of old vehicles to the actual restoration, and now to enjoying the fruits of their labors, Burnham’s truck is more than a classic ride- it’s a sentimental part of his family. For that, Burnham wanted to thank some very special people in his life.

“I would like to thank my wife for putting up with my obsession,” Burnham told us. “I used to tell her ‘I love you more than my truck because I used to spend a lot of time with it. I would also like to thank my dad. He helped me all along, from picking the truck up when we bought it, to all the way through the build. Thanks dad!”

With the completion of his C-10, Burnham’s love for classic vehicles continues, as does his passion for building. Inspired by the truck, his first build, Burnham is now working on two other projects- a ‘32 Ford 3 window coupe and a ‘37 Ford half-ton pickup. But his Chevy C-10 will always be a very special vehicle for Burnham.

“I always called it ‘My Eleanor’ after the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, because it was a truck I always loved and wanted to have,” Burnham said. Not a bad thing to possess for any automotive enthusiast.