Sometimes the best stories start with a “no.” That’s exactly how Chris Robinson’s journey with his 1969 C10 began, watching a Marketplace listing for two weeks, unable to agree on a price with the seller. The truck, a painter’s faithful companion from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had already lived a full life before catching Chris’s eye. After its original owner’s passing, the son-in-law had given it the hot rod treatment, lowering the suspension, adding fresh wheels, and swapping in a 5.3L engine paired with a 4L80 transmission, complete with a custom turbo setup.

Chris was no stranger to C10s, running a potent 1986 model equipped with a 416 LSX and 4L80 transmission, built for autocross and Pro Touring. But the ’67-72 body style had always called to him. When his Nashville buddy reached out about building a C10 similar to Chris’s ’86, opportunity knocked. The deal materialized quickly: Chris would acquire the ’69, and his friend would take the ’86. One road trip and a handshake later, the keys to this 1969 C10 changed hands.

Proof that this 1969 C10 earned its patina and wasn’t faked. This truck was properly used before it found its new life with Chris.

The initial plan seemed straightforward enough, start with a proper tune to ensure everything was running safely. Six dyno pulls revealed 485 wheel horsepower, an impressive figure that came with an equally impressive bill. But the celebration proved short-lived. The very next morning, the transmission called it quits. Ben Rush of Rush & Co. stepped in, rebuilding the gearbox with his signature modifications and pairing it with a Hughes billet triple-disc converter. The fix lasted exactly 27 miles before a spun lifter decimated the camshaft.

For Chris, this mechanical failure wasn’t a setback but an opportunity to upgrade to a 6.0L LS powerplant. The truck made its way to Tupelo, Mississippi, where Jacob Vance began what would become a complete transformation. Each removed component revealed another reason to go deeper, and after extensive discussions, the decision was made to go all-in. Everything except the frame rails and body would be replaced with upgraded components.

Going into the build, we had four goals. It had to be able to drive anywhere, it had to have air conditioning, run a single-digit quarter mile time, and have four-digit dyno numbers. – Chris Robinson, C10 Owner

The build list read like a who’s who of premium aftermarket suppliers. Forgeline provided the wheels, while Blake at Sweet Patina supplied the Ridetech suspension package. Wilwood delivered serious stopping power with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes. Richard at Atomic Fab and Performance specified custom Viking triple-adjustable coilovers that perfectly matched the truck’s requirements.

The new 6.0L LS engine received a purpose-built turbo manifold kit and hot side, breathing through a Precision 76mm turbo. Jacob handled the electrical integration, installing a Holley Terminator X Max system and custom fuse panel, all working in harmony with Dakota Digital gauges. The interior saw similar attention to detail, with Chris at Snowden Custom Seats providing the seating, complemented by an LMC center console.

Eight months of intense driving followed before cylinder number six made an unscheduled departure. This mechanical failure allowed JJR Performance to take the build to the next level. The new powerplant specs were serious business: a Thompson Motorsports 388ci Dart block paired with some Frankenstein Boost Monster heads. Sitting on top of those diamonds for cylinder heads is a Holley low-ram intake with a Tick Performance air-to-water intercooler. A custom FIS billet wheel 88/96 turbo provided the boost, breathing through a specially designed downpipe featuring a fender exit option or a more subdued full exhaust system.

The numbers tell the story of just how serious this build has become. On the dyno, the C10 puts down 1,001 horsepower at just 19 pounds of boost. Crank it up to 25 pounds, and that figure jumps to 1,227 horsepower. Chris isn’t done yet, plans are in place to push 28-30 pounds of boost this summer, running on high-quality E85 fuel, with expectations of breaking the 1,300-horsepower mark.

These aren’t just dyno queen numbers, either. The truck consistently runs 9.80s at 140 mph in the quarter-mile, and here’s the kicker: It does it with the air conditioning blowing cold and drives to and from the track under its own power. There is no trailer queen treatment here.

Pulling around a 4-wheeler isn’t something you see a 1,000 plus horsepower build do.

Since then, the C10 has proven itself to be more than just a numbers car. Multiple trips to Florida, daily driving duties, and continuous hard use have shown that reliability wasn’t sacrificed in the pursuit of performance. It’s the kind of build that proves high performance and practicality aren’t mutually exclusive.

In August 2023, the project took on a deeper meaning when Chris lost his father, a passionate enthusiast who shared his sons’ love for motorized vehicles, particularly hot rods and K5 Blazers. While he never got to experience the finished truck from the passenger seat as planned, his spirit rides along on every adventure.

The evolution of this 1969 C10 shows what’s possible when skilled builders bring their best to the table. Each specialist added their unique expertise: Rush & Co. perfected the transmission setup, JJR Performance crafted the engine combination, Jacob Vance ensured every component worked in harmony, and Nate dialed in the perfect tune. The result speaks through the numbers: 1,001 horsepower at 19 pounds of boost, climbing to 1,227 horsepower at 25 pounds, with more potential waiting to be unleashed.

Today, the truck continues to fulfill its destiny as a high-performance street machine, proving that dreams don’t have to stay in the garage. It’s driven hard, driven often, and most importantly, driven with purpose. The sound of that big-boost 388ci serves as a reminder that the best builds are the ones that get used as intended. For Chris, this truck is the culmination of years of experience, a network of talented builders, and the pursuit of automotive excellence. But perhaps most importantly, it carries forward a family legacy of passion for all things automotive, creating new memories with every mile.