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Cover vehicles usually all take a similar path to the front page of their respective catalogs or magazines. A talented shop or individual builds an outstanding car or truck, a photographer gets the necessary photos, and then all that hard work is rewarded with a front page spread. This truck, being built by Thomas Performance Engineering, is so outstanding, that it enjoys the front page of the new Art Morrison Enterprises (AME) catalog before it even gets built! The reason the cart got so far ahead of the horse is that the builder of this truck is none other than the talented Thomas Dickerson. The build is destined to be nothing short of incredible, and, appropriately named the “C/06”, the truck sports one of AME’s latest GT Sport chassis.
It certainly doesn't look like much in these photos, but this truck is destined to be so awesome, it's already cover material!
Designing The Chassis
One look at how this truck is coming together, and it’s easy to see that it will find itself in many a magazine and website once it is complete. As mentioned, Thomas worked with Art Morrison Enterprises for one of the company’s new C10 chassis. Thomas worked with the team at AME for several months, finalizing the details for his particular drivetrain selection.
This truck will be the very first to have a Chevrolet Performance LT4 engine and 10L90 transmission combination. The entire frame was built to order, and Thomas supplied AME with engineering drawings to help locate and determine how the 10L90 would fit into the entire chassis.
Powertrain and transmission aside, this GT Sport C10 chassis uses AME’s Sport IFS (Independent Front Suspension) featuring tubular control arms, Wilwood ProSpindles, Strange Engineering adjustable coilovers, and a custom-valved power rack and pinion steering.
Out back, a parallel four-bar keeps the rear differential centered while another set of Strange coilovers sets the ride height. The C10 GT Sport chassis is designed to allow for a five-to-six-inch ride height without anything protruding under the frame!
Redesigning The C10’s Body
Even without the bodywork complete, it’s easy to see why this build was selected for the cover of AME’s catalog. The entire bed, cab, interior, and engine compartment have been redesigned with extensive, yet tasteful modifications. Thomas admits that once complete, even the underside of this C10 will be as smooth as the top side, with additional filler panels smoothing out around the entire GT Sport chassis.
The bed has been fabricated entirely from square stock, with side panels and wheelhouses mated to the structure. The wooden bed floor features a hinged section that keeps a clean appearance but allows access to the various rear components of the AME GT Sport chassis. Click Thomas’ Instagram link below to check out his bed in action.
Interior Design
Since the soft goods are usually reserved until the last part of the build, we don’t get a great look at all the work going into the interior design of the C10, but what we can see is quite impressive!
Thomas is using his 3D printer to fabricate many components for the cabin of the truck. He’s also extensively fabricating panels to smooth out the truck’s interior, as well as hide some of the essential electronics to drive the high-tech drivetrain.
Get Your Copy Of AME’s New Catalog!
While we all need to wait to see the final product once Thomas and his team are finished with the build, you can get a good, first look at it on AME’s new catalog! If you would like a physical copy of the latest Art Morrison catalog mailed to you, fill out the form on Art Morrison’s website HERE, give them a call at (800) 929-7188, or email your Full Name, Address, and Phone number to [email protected]. If you want a copy delivered at the speed of light, simply download AME’s new catalog HERE.
We’ll be sure to show you this awesome Chevrolet C10 in all its glory once it is finished. We can hardly wait!
