1966 CHEVY C10

Jim Schafer's 1966 C10 is the first in a four-car collection we've built for him — the one that set the formula. Blueprint Engines 427 LS7 crate motor (the same ProSeries 7-liter that later went into his 1968 Camaro and 1972 Chevelle), dropped into a fully swapped chassis from a 2006 Chevy Tahoe. Modern frame, modern brakes, modern suspension, modern HVAC — vintage cab, vintage paint, vintage everything you can see.

Blueprint's own flywheel sheet on this engine (PSLS42730CTF) shows 595 HP near 6,100 RPM with a flat 565 ft-lb torque shelf from 4,800 to 5,800. Through the GM 4L80E transmission and out to the back tires of the truck, that translates to an honest, daily-driveable powerband that pulls hard off the line and never falls flat.

The chassis is where this build separates from his classics. QA1 triangulated 4-link with coilover shocks out back actually plants 595 horses — no wheel-hop, no axle-walk, just grip. Up front is the OEM Tahoe suspension geometry, dialed in. Brakes, steering, cooling — all 2006 truck underneath, all '66 truck on top.

Inside, a Dakota Digital cluster slips into the original dash like it was always there. Vintage Air climate makes a Pensacola July driveable. CVF Racing serpentine pulleys dress out the engine bay so the LS427 looks intentional, not transplanted. Jim's vision. Our build.