By Scotty Lachenauer – Images by the Author
When the world outside has come to a standstill around you, it’s probably a good time to take on a hobby or two. Joe Rastiello of Jefferson, New Jersey, figured the COVID-19 shutdown was as good a time as any to retreat to the garage and start building a truck, or three, or four, to help cope with the issues around him. “I started building trucks about five years ago during the Pandemic. In 2024 I sold my latest build and then decided the next one would be on a different level than the ones that came before; something that would stand out in a crowd and was fully customized. I began my search with that thought in mind,” Joe states.
For inspiration Joe weeded through the popular Internet For Sale sites and soon came upon an Instagram page for Hesterations out in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “The owner, Nick Hester, was in the process of completing a patina paintjob on a 1956 Chevy. I was immediately interested in the project Bowtie, so I reached out to him and inquired. He told me that the truck would be going up for sale “as-is” once the paint was completed. From the pictures I saw on his page, it was exactly the truck I was looking for. The patina was real, naturally formed by age and the elements, but he added a certain twist to get it to look the way he wanted.”
Joe bought the truck sight unseen, relying on a good feeling deep down that this Chevy was everything he wanted in a project ride. After its journey from New Mexico to New Jersey, the new owner was excited to get a good eyeball on his new purchase. “I was finally able to see it in person and get an idea of what it would take to make it my own build. I was definitely happy with what I bought.” Joe’s wish list began to take shape and the needed parts were ordered. Soon boxes started to appear at the garage, and as quick as that, the owner was now ready to turn this needy Chevy into the truck of his dreams.
Button Down
Joe started out the build by ordering a BluePrint crate 400ci small-block Chevy crate motor from Summit Racing for the motorvation for this bedded hot rod. With 500 hp out of the box, the powerplant had plenty of power on hand to get this truck from point A to B in a hurry. A forged crank, along with 5.7-inch connecting rods and forged pistons make up the core of this classic Chevy mill. With 10.3 compression, the small-block was pump gas friendly, but built with the necessary ingredients to roast the rear skins on demand. Joe went on to add a Holley Street Warrior 600-cfm carburetor to the aluminum dual-plane intake manifold for fuel delivery. Next, a set of Block Hugger headers and a full stainless Flowtech exhaust system were installed to get rid of the spent gases in style. Joe then ordered up a TCI Chevrolet Super StreetFighter TH400 transmission to the mix to get the truck through the gears.
Once he finished off the engine and trans Joe went back to the chassis to work the suspension. A lot of thought went into what he really desired this Chevy to do, and he planned accordingly. First off, he was lucky enough to purchase a truck that already had some work done to its frame, both up front and out back. The previous owner had dialed up Jimenez Brothers Customs (JBC) in Riverside, California, and ordered a few choice add-ons that would help get this ride down where Joe wanted it. A JBC 1955-59 Chevy Truck 2 Link frame kit handles the duties out back, while their JBC IFS setup would make it all work up front. With the needed welding already completed, Joe made it all come together.
After stripping and powdercoating the frame, the owner got to work. This JBC setup gave him everything he needed to build the air-ride system he desired. Starting out back, he installed the 2 Link suspension, which includes, among other things, the crossmember, two links, axle perches, lower bag bar, upper shock bar, and Panhard bar. A 1992 Firebird rear that had been widened and stuffed with an Eaton posi unit and 3.42 gears, handles the duties getting the power to the pavement through a set of Allstar axles. Up front, the JBC IFS was ready to give this truck top-tier handling. This set also comes with the crossmember, along with two hats, upper and lower control arms, tie rods, ball joints, inside boxing plates, and power steering rack. To achieve the ride Joe wanted, Fox supplied their performance smooth body shocks for both the front and rear. Once the parts were installed, Joe went all-out, installing an Airlift 3P system running dual ViAir 480c compressors along with a 200-gallon aluminum air tank with AVS dual water traps. Firestone airbags, double convoluted fronts, and 9000 series in the rear, handle the rise and fall of the truck. Braking power is supplied by a four-wheel disc setup using Power Stop brakes up front and an aluminum Camaro caliper conversion out back.
Zipped Up
Moving onward and upward, Joe set his sights on the interior for his new ride. To start it off with a bang, a TMI Pro-Series bench seat in distressed leather was ordered along with its matching door panels. This immediately transformed the truck’s cockpit into a classy driver’s quarters. To keep track of the vitals, Dakota Digital suppled the gauges, which add a modern look to the dash. An Ididit chrome tilt column, topped with a New World Motoring billet steering wheel wrapped in tan leather, keeps this ride pointed in the right direction. A Lokar shifter, finished off with a mini piston handle, puts the trans through the paces. Old Air supplies the HVAC for the truck and a RetroSound stereo with Rockford amp and components gets the mood set with the proper tunes.
Other add-ons include a Champion four-row aluminum radiator, GSI dual battery mounts, and Eddie Motorsports billet hood hinges. As far as the paint goes, Joe never touched it, leaving good enough alone. The color, a faded denim blue, was the inspiration for the truck’s name, “Ol’ Levi.” He did add to the exterior, however, sourcing a correct front bumper that was already painted a matching patina white. For the finishing touch, Joe went through a few wheel choices to get the look he was after. After some changes, he decided on a quartet of low gloss white Detroit Steel Ambassadors, 20×8 fronts and massive 22×9 rears. They are shod in Hankook Ventus rubber, 235/40-20 and 295/35-22, respectively.
Once the build was finished, Joe was impressed with what he had accomplished. “After a long winter of fun and late-night garage sessions, Ol’ Levi was finally completed. The BluePrint motor was absolutely no disappointment—plenty of power and a blast to drive. The suspension felt great after finding that sweet spot right around 65 psi. The transmission shifted smooth as glass behind that 400 small-block. Overall, the project I took on turned out to be exactly what I had envisioned.”
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