By Rob Fortier – Images by NotStock Photography
Having worked in this industry for well over three decades, I’ve formed a lot of great relationships with some of the best builders in the nation—but few closer than that with Alabama’s Alan Johnson (Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop/JHRS). He and I both got our start in the early ’90s (me on Street Rodder magazine, he with a 1937 Ford that was featured in SR), and over the years, one of us has made quite the name for himself!
I’ve always loved Johnson’s style, whether it be his signature low-slung 1932 Fords, his menacing muscle cars, or his dual-purpose haulers, such as David Pilgrim’s Duramax-powered, Bonneville record holding 1954 Chevy pickup JHRS built a few years back. It was some time in 2020, just as we were launching In The Garage Media/CTP, that Johnson told me about his follow-up collab with David that I might have some interest in once finished. Well, “some interest in” was putting it lightly.
Fast-forward to 2023, five years after that follow-up began. Johnson and his crew debuted David and Debbie’s 1952 Chevy Suburban, and let’s just say I was more than impressed with the results—for many reasons.
From the exterior alone, the Suburban has all the characteristics of an award-winning (2023 Goodguys BASF America’s Most Beautiful and inaugural Triple Crown of Rodding Elite 10) JHRS build: flawless body and paint with just the right amount of chrome, perfect stance (a la Roadster Shop’s Ridetech-equipped Fast Track chassis) with their namesake Heritage Series wheels, and elegant yet utilitarian interior. But what I ultimately found most interesting lies beneath that hood.
Paying homage to David’s landspeed “hobby,” Johnson procured a 1958 Chevy 261 (the brute of the Stovebolt family) and sent to famed engine builder Keith Dorton at Automotive Specialists for a proper high-horse build. As you can see from the pics, the now 265ci/540hp inline-six features not one but two Garrett Gen II GTX turbos on the LS-style (coil-on-plug) ignition side, while the driver side features a JHRS designed and fabbed aluminum intake with three Borla Weber IDA-style throttle bodies and a brilliant finned rocker cover inspired airbox to match the twin-turbo setup (all controlled by Holley’s Terminator X-Max). Custom cast-stainless exhaust manifolds mount below the turbos on a Wayne aluminum cylinder head and feed a custom stainless exhaust with Borla mufflers, while a Quick Time fabricated-steel SBC bellhousing with a custom-made adapter plate attaches a Bowler T-56 Magnum that feeds the horses and the 582 lb-ft of torque to a Moser 12-bolt rear. For someone like myself who’s always been a fan of the ’50s inliners, this one is pure eye candy—and it definitely delivers the groceries!
Johnson’s team of Jon Barefoot, John Fischer, and Maria Garcia handle the metalwork inside and out (on the interior, it’s all metal—no upholstered panels!), while Greg Chalcraft and Scott Falotico expertly took care of the Axalta black paintwork. The upholstery that can be found on the 2005 Tahoe cut-down buckets is Garrett distressed leather by Marcia Garcia, with gorgeous Sapele hardwood flooring in the rear. Once wired with an American Autowire harness, the Suburban was fit with a Kicker sound system, Classic Instruments gauges, and a Vintage Air A/C system. Oh, and that steering wheel is stock. It’s simply been cut down to a 16-inch diameter, refinished, and mated to an Ididit column!
JHRS built David and Debbie Pilgrim’s Chevy Suburban in a classic hot rod style while providing a foundation that offers the best of both worlds: comfortable cruising and some serious haulin’ ass!
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
