1955 Chevrolet Truck
Article and photos by Larry Crain

This great looking 1955 Chevy truck is owned by Dan Duffy of Marietta, Georgia. This truck is on its second time around as a full-on custom truck, built once by Big Oak Garage and then updated for two different owners. The first time around for this truck in the Big Oak Garage was for its first owner, who had brought it in for a small fender to tire fitting issue. While the truck was in the shop for the small job, the owner decided to let the shop do a full-on build to turn the Chevy truck into a hot rod. The newly built truck went back to the owner and kicked butt at shows on many levels and was even featured in a magazine article. The first owner kept the crew at Big Oak Garage busy on the truck with motor swaps and other changes over the years. One of the times the truck was in the shop, Dan Duffy happened to see it and fell in love with it. The truck was eventually put up for sale, and Dan knew that this was a sign that the truck was meant to be his, so he bought it.

The first time around, the ’55 Chevy body was given a complete makeover at Big Oak, which included numerous body modifications like the cowl side vents had been deleted, and the hood filled and smoothed. New front inner fenders were fabricated and the firewall was reworked and smoothed to accommodate late model motors. The bed of the truck was raised 2 ½ inches and set up with new rear tubs that flow with the rear fenders. The full-on custom bed was dressed out with Zebra wood from South Africa and smooth aluminum strips that separate the panels. This cool looking hot rod was painted by Big Oak with the PPG base coat clear coat system, and the striking color is Toreador Red.

This beautiful body sits on a black powder coated chassis from Street Rod Garage that features a custom tubular IFS front suspension that is equipped with RideTech coil-overs. This chassis is also set up with a tri-angulated 4 bar rear suspension that now features RideTech coil-overs and is set up with a Ford 9-inch rear end equipped with 3:73 gears. When Dan bought this truck, one of the changes he had Big Oak make besides going to the adjustable coil-overs was changing out the tire and wheel combination. Dan’s truck rolls on a set of Schott Accelerators and Yokohama Advan Sport radials, 18x8 on the front mounted with 245/40ZR/18 and 20x10 on the rear mounted with 295/40ZR/20. A real nice touch is that the wheels have painted inserts & knock offs and the sidewalls of the tires have been shaved for a cleaner look.

The heartbeat of this truck is a 480 horsepower LS3 that Dan had Big Oak set up with a Borla 8 stack EFI and a pair of Billet Specialties valve covers. While the truck was getting the motor upgrades the exhaust system was also changed out to a new custom 2 ½ inch stainless steel exhaust system equipped with a pair of Borla ProXS mufflers.

The interior of Dan’s truck was originally done by M&M Hot Rod Interiors and features a custom built bench seat and panels that are covered in brown leather and suede. The interior is equipped with gauges from Classic Instruments, tilt column with custom wrapped steering wheel from Billet Specialties and a Vintage Air a/c system. The interior has been updated for Dan with the dash and window trim painted in a color that compliments the upholstery. The truck made a trip over to Pro Auto Custom Interiors where it received new carpet, seat adjustments to fit Dan and a custom console with cup holders.

This 1955 Chevy truck is on its second time around the show circuit with a new owner in Dan Duffy that has, with the help of Big Oak Garage, made the truck all his. I hope you get to see this truck and visit with Dan at a show sometime because they are both awesome to see and visit with.