Back in 2018, Stoker’s Smokeless Tobacco enlisted the talents of Grant Salter and his team at TriWorks Hot Rods out of Nashville to help them with a promotional vehicle giveaway. Leading the “corporate” panel in the right direction, the collaborative ultimately decided upon a 1967-1972 C10 to build—but it was up to TriWorks to initially source the beginnings of the project.
Ultimately, Grant called on a client of the shop’s to find that “good” starting point, which, when all was said and done, ended up being a first-year second-gen. According to Salter, the folks at Stoker’s weren’t super impressed with the truck upon first sight when they went with to retrieve the C10 in Alabama, as they weren’t that versed in how projects of the sort often start out. No worries for the TriWorks team … this wasn’t their first rodeo … well, maybe one for a smokeless tobacco company giveaway truck, but nonetheless, they weren’t scared!
Part of the giveaway arrangement was that Stoker’s users could vote online as to how the truck would look (colors and so on) when it was finished … so … TriWorks got all of the non-voting criteria handled first: update the chassis with a compliment of Ridetech, Wilwood, and Borgeson components, as well as an LS3/6L90E drivetrain with a Moser-equipped 12-bolt. Next, the weathered small-window SWB was brought back to life, and in the process the stake pockets were eliminated, wheel openings reshaped, 1/8-inch gaps all ’round before the public weighed in. PPG Red and Satin Gray were chosen and ultimately applied by Ben Giuliano (along with a satin Carbon Series wood floor from Bed Wood & Parts). A quartet of custom-painted U.S. Mags 20-inch Ramblers with Pirelli P Zero radials finish off the exterior. Lastly, TriWorks finished off the interior with a TMI Products bench seat and carpet kit, Dakota Digital HDX gauges, and an Ididit column with a Billet Specialties wheel.
Not only did the winner, Matt Brockway, get himself a “smoking” hot C10, Stoker’s also awarded him $20,000 cash to boot. He had a choice of the truck and cash, or $50,000 outright … we think he definitely made the right choice!
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
