PPG Blue and Steel Dreams: A 1968 Chevrolet Crafted to Excellence

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Truck manufacturers and vehicle customizers are true pioneers and craftsmen who opt for a unique journey. Rather than spending eight hours a day confined to a generic office cubicle, clicking away at a computer and sorting through paperwork, they immerse themselves in a world of metal shavings, loosening stubborn rusted bolts, and skillfully molding metal into stunning creations that catch the eye on the open road. Their masterpieces aren’t displayed in galleries, but rather captivate audiences at automotive exhibitions and in workshops nationwide. 

Scott Purkerson of Eugene, Oregon, is an artist who exercises his creativity on American steel and pours his passion into shaping and redefining metal. When he was 24, Scott built hot rods and customs at Benchmark Fab & Finish in Corvallis, Oregon, while he worked on earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University. About halfway through school, Scott realized he didn’t want to sit behind a desk for the rest of his life, so he dropped out of school to build a truck. Seems logical to us, but mom and dad likely had a different reaction. 

Once Scott escaped the confines of the classroom, his project on a ’68 Chevy pickup accelerated rapidly. Before diving into the details, let’s rewind for a moment. The journey began with a custom hood that Scott meticulously crafted, reshaping it into a unique design. A friend provided some bedsides, while Scott’s dad contributed a cab, and piece by piece, the components of the truck started to come together. He found two front fenders that complemented the hood, and another friend pitched in with a grille. Scott gathered an eclectic assortment of truck parts, and though the initial stages were a bit chaotic, they laid the groundwork for an all-out truck restoration adventure. 

Like any successful project, the chassis served as the foundation for excellence. Scott meticulously designed a fully custom frame using 4×4 3/16-inch wall steel tubing, modifying the wheelbase by shifting both the front and rear wheels forward. A Ford 9-inch rear end was carefully narrowed and fitted with Dutchman 31-spline axles and a 3.25:1 gear ratio. To enhance performance, Scott constructed a bespoke 16-gallon steel fuel tank, replacing the factory unit to deliver high-octane fuel to the 425-horsepower small-block engine. For the rear suspension, he utilized a pair of leaf springs from a 1968 Jeep, complemented by a panhard rod and a 1 1/16-inch sway bar. The rear suspension is further refined with KYB减震器 to ensure optimal handling. 

The front end has been expertly configured using an A-body front clip, featuring KYB减震器, A-body spindle assemblies, KYB control arms, and a robust 1 5/16-inch sway bar. Stopping power is provided by disc brakes sourced from an A-body, paired with a Ford manual master cylinder for reliable braking performance. Completing this stunning piece of automotive craftsmanship are 18×9-inch wheels at the front and 20×12-inch wheels at the rear, both from Billet Specialties, wrapped in high-performance Mickey Thompson tires designed for optimal grip on the pavement. 

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Beneath the extensively modified hood that initiated this entire project lies a powerful 425-horsepower small-block 350 Chevy, equipped with ported and polished LT-1 heads. It's topped with an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold manifold, delivering an optimal air/fuel mixture through a 750-cfm carburetor. To maintain a steady temperature, a Northern heater paired with Flex-a-lite dual electric fans works effectively. The exhaust system features coated 1 5/8-inch headers that channel the spent gases through a custom exhaust system crafted by Scott, which includes a 3-inch pipe and a unique X-pipe that exits through Borla stainless steel mufflers. An EZ wiring harness system ensures all electrical connections are seamless, while a TH 350 transmission with a 3,000-stall torque converter efficiently transfers power to the narrowed 9-inch rearend.