6.2L LS3 Powered 1985 Chevy C-10 with 525 HP that was BOUGHT NOT BUILT!

Sometimes  it goes both ways

 One of the largest stigmas in the truck culture revolves around the phrase “built not bought.” Some people look down on those who purchase a built truck rather than build it themselves. In the long run it’s a better financial investment pulling out your checkbook rather than the grueling task of going from shop to shop to get the best deal and find the best builder only to end up getting burned (we’ve all been there). The 1985 Chevy C-10 in this story started under the tutelage truck builder Tony Phillips. Tony purchased the truck and began building it to his liking. 

Some people look down on those who purchase a built truck rather than build it themselves. In the long run it’s a better financial investment pulling out your checkbook rather than the grueling task of going from shop to shop to get the best deal and find the best builder only to end up getting burned (we’ve all been there).

Every step of the truck build was personally customized from the one-off Barbie Blue paint to the custom imported Italian leather interior. When it came time to customize under the hood, an LS3 was added for both extra horsepower and reliability. Tony left nothing uncovered as it took a solid three years to properly design and build the truck to his liking. Tony admittingly preferred the building process but wasn’t much into the show scene, so after the C-10 was completed, he ended up leaving it covered in the garage and was constantly keeping an eye out for a new build.

At that point Joe Parashis from Oswego, Illinois got word of the truck. Although he hadn’t seen the truck in person yet, he was aware of the build and kept asking Tony to see what the build looked like. After a few pictures were sent, Joe insisted he wanted to purchase the truck from him. As an influential Positive Force member, Joe always had and wanted the best trucks he could find. Once he sat down with Tony, numbers were agreed upon and Joe was able to purchase the Chevy for less than half of the cost to build.

Joe had the chance to alter the build but preferred the way it was built and wanted to keep the integrity and look that Tony had perfected originally. A Chevy C-10 that was destined to sit in the garage for the majority of its life now gets her day in the sun every weekend in Chicago and neighboring cities. Joe maintains that it’s a show winner and weekend cruiser he’s proud to get in and go. Joe knows the cost to build the truck would have exceeded what he wanted to spend so he made the best decision that made the most sense for him.

A special thanks goes to the ideas and mastermind of Tony Phillips for creating such a spectacular build that Joe couldn’t resist. With Bet it Up Kustoms handling the suspension work and engine swap and install, Joe knows the job was done perfectly and would be reliable. A special thanks to Gerardo Arredondo Jr. who was able to complete the full paint job in a one-car garage and Midwest Hotrods for turning out one perfect interior to offset the bright blue exterior. Even though Joe didn’t have a hand in the build, he certainly values the Chevy and displays it with the pride that it deserves.

BUILD SPECS

OWNER

Joe Parashis

• 1985 Chevy C-10
• Oswego, Illinois
• Club: Positive Force

Chassis

Front Suspension:

• Tubular upper and lower control arms
• Viking coilovers
• Rear Suspension:
• C-notch bridges
• Viking coilovers done by Tim Bourgoine at Bet It Up Kustoms in Oswego, Illinois

Drivetrain Engine: 

• LS3 6.2L
• 525 HP
• K&N Intake
• done by Tim Bourgoine at Bet It Up Kustoms in Oswego, Illinois
• Transmission: 4l80e transmission
• Rearend: Moser 9-inch, 3:73 gears

Body/Paint:

• PPG Deltron Barbie Blue and white
• orange pinstripe done by Gerardo Arredondo Jr. in Aurora, Illinois

Interior  

• imported Italian brown and tan leather
• diamond stitch
• leather-wrapped GM 14 billet steering wheel
• interior done by Midwest Hotrods in Plainfield, Illinois

Stereo 

• two JL Audio 10TW1 subwoofers
• JL Audio XD 400/1 amplifier
• two JL Audio XD 500/1 amplifiers
• two sets of Moral 6.5-inch components

Wheels & Tires

• Wheels: 24×8- & 24×15-inch Raceline Executives
• Tires: 255/25R24 & 405/25R24 Pirelli P-Zero

Special Thanks

Positive Force Custom Cruisers, Tony Phillips for the great ideas and build, Bet It Up Kustoms, Gerardo Arredondo Jr, my wife Cherish and our four kids John, Anthony, Mercedes and Nick for their support through it all.