ITGMw
SUBSCRIPTIONtext
ProgressArrows
digital issues
ProgressArrows
online store
ProgressArrows
SUBSCRIPTIONtext
ITGMw
ACPnew header logo
CTP LOGOs
all cars

Charles Black’s 1954 Dodge Hot Rod C-Series

By Rob Fortier   –   Images by Josh Mishler

The year 1954 was a big one—it saw the advent of poodle skirts, Wiffle balls, and most famous of all, the marshmallow Peep! But unless you’re a huge fan of ’50s kitsch, baseball, or nasty candy, those are of little to no relevance. In the automotive world, however, there was some rather exciting developments coming from the Chrysler camp.

01 1954 Dodge Pickup front view black with chrome grille

While General Motors was about to transition from its Advance Design into the Task Force era, and Ford wrapping up its full-fendered F-100 run before entering the refrigerator market, Dodge did something that at the time quite revolutionary: introduced the all-new C-Series (’54-60) pickup—a completely new design that offered more passenger car styling elements (especially with the debut of the Sweptline in 1957), available with everything from a 230ci flat inline-six to the Power Giant model 331 Hemi in 1957. Now that’s a hot rod truck from the factory, ain’t it?!

04 1954 Dodge Pickup three quarter front view custom chrome grille

Back in 1983, Savana, Georgia’s Charles Black acquired his ’54 Dodge C-1B Utiline for a whopping $300—a price that also included the seller’s dog! But it wasn’t until exactly 20 years later that Denton, Maryland’s Hot Rod Garage began to give the Dodge that oh-so-proper hot rod makeover.

05 Rear angle of 1954 Dodge Pickup showing custom truck bed

And that aforementioned makeover, which was completed back in 2005 (yes, nearly 20 years ago!), didn’t take a whole lot: Fatman IFS and a set of Posies’ parallel leaves under a new 9-inch rearend to get the desired stance and ride, while a Mopar 360 V-8 crate engine with a 727 TorqueFlite trans do their part to accommodate the rodding around properly.

06 Interior shot of 1954 Dodge Pickup beige leather seats

Externally speaking, Hot Rod Garage spent a good amount of time further perfecting the C-Series styling. Originally a five-widow 1/2-ton, Hot Rod Garage opted to increase Charles’ blind spots by filling the cab’s corner windows—a move with rather clean results—while at the same time replacing the stock driprails with hand-formed round rod. The once three-piece hood was made into a one-piecer that now opens in a traditional alligator fashion. Once the bed box was massaged smooth and fit with an oak bed floor. A ’56 F-100 rear bumper was added before the bodywork and PPG black paint were finished by Hot Rod Garage’s Jason Lester. A set of polished Billet Specialties Legacy wheels in 16- and 17-inch sit just right with that updated stance.

Read More: Jim Brown Builds a Big Block, Stick Shift ’68 Dodge Pickup

08 Close up of gauges in 1954 Dodge Pickup classic instrument panel

For the interior, Hot Rod Garage’s Dean Alexander handled the premium tan leather upholstery in-house, using a Glide Engineering bench, custom-made door panels, and complementing tan wool carpet in the process. To add that perfect hot rod finishing touch, a Flaming River column with a three-spoke Bell-style wheel and a trio of Classic Instruments Hot Rod Series gauges (of course!) in an engine-turned insert were added to the cab’s superclean, no-frills cab.

Click on this issue’s cover to see the enhanced digital version of Charles Black’s 1954 Dodge Hot Rod C-Series.

ctp september 2024

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Classic Truck Performance

THE 41st ANNUAL F-100 WESTERN NATIONALS

By the CTP Staff   -   Images by Fuelish Media Since...

Custom Autosound 1967-1972 Slidebar Radio Install

By Rob Fortier   -   Images by the Author Retro-looking sounds...

Rick Clutter’s Premier Street Rods Built 1961 Ford Unibody Custom

By Fuelish Media There’s a high road, a low road,...

The Speedway Motors 1968 C10 Part 5: The Interior

By Joe McCollough   -   Images by Jessica Coleman &...

The John Lamb/Tin Man’s Garage Triton V10-Powered 1961 Ford Unibody

By Brian Limberg (Excerpts from his Build Book)    -  ...

Mike Schott’s 1992 Chevy Silverado

By Tim King   -   Images by the Author 1988 welcomed...
More Classic Truck Performance

Walker Zeigler’s First-Gen 1965 Chevy C10

By Rob Fortier   -   Images by NotStock Photography Up until...

Steele Rubber 1955-1959 Chevy Task Force Master Cylinder Access Holes

By “Rotten” Rodney Bauman   -   Images by the Author When...

A New Approach to Building an Old 1971 Chevy Truck

By Fuelish Media You hear the term “back in the...

Speedway Motors’ 1968 C10 Build Part 2: Chassis & Suspension

By Joe McCollough   -   Images by the Author In the...

Paul Close’s Y-Block Powered 1956 F100 is Layered with Custom Cool

By Chuck Vranas   -   Images by the Author As the...

Old Anvil Speed Shop Increases Our 1948 Chevy’s Voltage With XS Power

By Rob Fortier   -   Photography by Taylor Kempkes For as...