Registry: 1969 Chevrolet C20

1969 Chevy C20 Roadster

Building my own roadster began with a couple sketch ideas. The theme was part American hot rod, part pre war Brooklands racer. A tight budget and a list of "must have" attributes helped define my concept. I wanted my project to be powered by an American v8 with a 4 speed transmission and rear wheel drive for starters. I have had many fast cars over the years but the ones that felt the fastest where the ones with the least bodywork and the most connection to the driving experience. Quiet, closed cars are great for long drives but are little fun below 80mph. Fun under 80mph meant open as as possible. Exposed tires and suspension, no doors, and little wind protection would make the driving experience raw and exciting. 45mph would seem like 60, and 80 would feel more like 100.
Although my roadster would be a thrill at 80 I wanted it to be safe and stable to 120mph plus. Handling was another important concern. I needed a full frame with good suspension and big brakes. I needed a full frame that was also narrow enough to use as an open wheel roadster. I wanted to start with a base vehicle that I could title and register with the DMV pre smog. I could not afford a custom built frame and metal classic or even fiberglass body, so I would build my own simple cowl style minimal body and keep the rest light and exposed.
One afternoon my friend Rob showed up with his 1968 C20 Chevy truck. It was lowered and had a cool wide stance. I slid under the truck and wow … look at that suspension. The nascar truck arm style in the rear suspension and double a arms in front. The frame was narrow... this was it. I went on Craigslist for a couple weeks until I located my C-20 truck. for $4000. It came with a 350 and did not have any structural rust. I sold the body, interior, bed and many other parts getting back $1800 for my build.
The Frame needed to be shortened to match the 114” short wheel base model. Next I moved the engine back 30” back and 8” down in the frame. I bought a M-20 Muncie 4 speed as well. The entire engine now sat behind the front suspension axel center line. I found a guy who had a fresh 12 bolt posi rear end for the truck as well. I had a custom drive shaft made and bought a suspension kit from CCP. Wildwood also makes bolt on larger calipers for the front brakes so I got a set. My motor was ok but I wanted more reliability so I found a complete crate engine with Vortec heads for 3500 bucks. A cheap aluminum aftermarket radiator and I had the majority of the driveline. I Had a design in sketch form for the tube sub frame that would hold my Cowl style aluminum body section and add some more structure to my design. Using 5000 series aluminum for the body section, I could leave it in a brushed finish and not spend $ on an expensive paint job. My friend and pro fabricator Steve Piorek and I spent about 10 days in the garage designing and building. With a few details including an aluminum fuel tank and lines, brake lines and a set of circle track brake and clutch pedals / master cylinders, gauges, wire harness kit, lights and a few other misc, the project came together. The total spent came to about 16,400 bucks. Well under my goal of 20k.
Other small design details that make the car special and vintage in feel are the cowl and engine mounted Stewart Warner gauges as well as the 50’s English Brooklands racing wind screens, the wood riveted steering wheel and Raydot side mirror, 1932 radiator shell and 60s style American Racing wheels.
The drive....my Roadster is a handful at 2456 lbs with 350 hp and 410 ft/lbs torque. The driving experience is surprisingly stable at speed due to almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. A long 114” wheelbase helps with stability as well. The suspension provides amazing grip on launches as well as great handling in corners. Every bit of the mechanical noises and feel that make the machine function are a part of the driving experience. Limits are predicable, exciting and much higher levels than expected from an old C20. What a blast to build and drive.