In the last decade or so, the Chevy pickup has seen a huge increase in popularity. As restorable cars become scarce and continue to fill up car shows, pickups have been a new style to land on the automotive scene and stand out in the crowd. While the C10 era has seen the greatest increase in popularity, the late-‘50s tucks have been getting some attention, and this is a great example of why.
Jon Srail of Bremerton, Washington, is the owner of this 1957 Chevy hauler. He’s owned it for 7-years, and although elements of the truck were done when he bought it, he fine tuned it into the show-stopping street machine it is today. “I bought the truck from a guy going through a divorce,” John said. “The paint was done in 1990, it had stock suspension, and a tired Corvette engine.”
The drivetrain in the truck was a tired 350 cubic incher backed by a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. Today, it’s got a little more power, as it features a 383 cubic-inch stroker with a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. The new drivetrain puts out an impressive 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. John also updated the rear suspension with Fatman four-link to support the Chevy 12-bolt, and installed a Camaro front subframe.
The appearance of the truck is enhanced with pinstriping on the fenders, below the back window, and by a graphic on the tailgate.
The truck also features an unusual and attractive style option by way of the grill bar that was taken from a ’57 Chevy car being placed in the center of the grill on the truck. This addition completely changes the face of the vehicle and gives it a different look that’s unique. Without knowing the factory look of this truck of the origins of the grill bar, one would likely not even know the front of the truck had been altered.
The custom visor and wheels complete the look of this show stopper. What’s really cool about this build is while it’s completely unique and stands out at any show, it’s not over the top. It’s a simple build that keeps us coming back for more.