It’s an interview that’s five years in the making. John Pitz talks with our very own Drew Yagodnik at Artomobilia 2019, who’s not only volunteering at the event and a sponsor – he’s also excited to show off the star of Classic Auto’s Project C10, a truck build series created to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary while restoring a 1965 Chevy C10 pickup. When the video episodes premiere in 2018, Chevrolet is also celebrating an anniversary of its own – 100 years of Chevy truck history. It’s like – truck karma!
Legacy of C10 Trucks
Introduced to the public at Chevy dealerships in 1960, the C10 truck is the half-ton predecessor of the now standardized Chevrolet Silverado. It is incredibly popular at the time thanks to smart new features like an extra-wide cab, tough weight capacity in the bed thanks to better weight distribution and better line of sight thanks to a wider windshield. Its innovative design makes it the most popular model of the C/K truck series, which breaks all-time sales records in 1964, 1965 and 1966 and becomes Chevy’s bestselling truck. By the time ’67 and ’68 roll around, the C10 helps make Chevy a household name.
Humble Beginnings of the Project C10 Star
Classic Auto buys the C10 truck several years before the start of the restoration with a lot of hopes and dreams for illustrating what people who rebuild and refurbish vehicles actually do and how much work they pour into the classic and collector vehicles they love. When the C10 restoration is revealed during the summer of 2019 (Episode 22), it is transformed into a shining white restomod, a restored classic featuring new technology that incorporates comfort and performance standards of the present into the driving experience. Now we say our Chevy C10 restomod truly delivers on all our hopes and dreams. “Well, it is absolutely gorgeous,” John Pitz exclaims. “Love the execution.”
A Flagship Design
Each and every design decision on the C10 is a labor of love. The truck is a three-dimensional version of the Classic Auto Insurance branding – with a front-and-center paint job of company colors white, red and chrome. The Project C10 team uses 22 by 11 tires at the rear and 22 by 9 tires in the front, to take advantage of the torque and acceleration from the rear wheel drive and gain more traction from extra contact with the road. “It’s got a really great stance on it,” Drew says. “We’ve also got an aluminum wood bed, which everybody just loves. It’s been very well received.”
Company Ambassador With Four Wheels
This Chevy C10 restomod has always been destined for driving and Classic Auto plans to drive it to car shows and other car enthusiast events as a four-wheeled part of the staff. “So if you live in Indy or in the Midwest, you’re probably going to see it,” Drew says. While they come to Project C10 as experienced auto restorers and life-long enthusiasts, Drew and his restoration crew (which includes AMIG senior claims specialist Rick Drewry among many other AMIG and Classic Auto employees) earned a vast wealth of new knowledge over the course of the restoration. Drew makes certain this invaluable information continues to flow to Classic Auto’s claims adjusters, keeping them informed about the work our customers are doing when they restore classic vehicles, which in turn helps them deliver an even higher degree of quality customer service. John Pitz says, “I love the fact that it’s a journey that taught you about what your clients go through and helps you be a better insurer to them.” And that is a dream come true.
Collector and Classic Car Insurance for Less
No matter what happens, make sure that all the time and money you’ve put into your C10 truck or other classic car restoration will be protected. Let us customize a policy to fit your needs. We offer affordable, Agreed Value coverage for a variety of collector, classic and custom vehicles. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can answer your questions and give you a quote on the spot. Call 888-901-1338 or get an instant quote online and see how we can help safeguard your dream car.
