As a young boy, Tim Christian used to mow lawns for his uncle and his dad. Week in and week out, Tim would mow the lawn. His dad would kick in some cash, but his great uncle Orbin never seemed to find the time to give young Tim the expected payday. At the age of 14, Tim's uncle Orbin passed away. It was a sorrowful day for the entire Christian family.
Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and that silver lining was about to fall on Tim. After the funeral arrangements were made, Uncle Orbin's estate was to be distributed. Much to Tim's surprise, Uncle Orbin had given him his prized '67 GMC pickup with 22,000 original miles. Four years of mowing lawns finally paid off. As an added bonus, Tim was also willed the lawnmower. Whether it was a cruel joke or a family heirloom, Tim was ecstatic to receive both.
This was Tim's first-ever vehicle, and he wanted it to be special. The build was on. As time passed and money became available, Tim began transforming the Bow Tie into what you see today. A fresh '98 ZZ4 355hp small-block mated to a 350 turbo tranny puts 405 lb-ft of torque to the 3.54:1-geared Dana 44 rearend. Bolt on a Holley 750 with gases escaping through 2 1/2-inch Street & Performance headers and you're on your way. But, if you're going to run on the street, you have to keep Johnny Law happy, so Tim opted for some quiet yet throaty Flowmaster mufflers. Tim owns Christian's Classic Truck Parts, which allows him to get about any truck part available.
The suspension got some much-needed attention with 2 1/2-inch drop spindles and 2-inch drop springs in the front. Add a pair of de-arched leaf springs in the rear and this GMC has the fighting look for competition. Late-model six-lug discs up front and six-lug drums on the back give Tim the confidence he needs when stopping in heavy traffic. With the engine, drivetrain, and suspension mods completed, it was time for paint and body. After a few years of the truck being held hostage by a local bodyshop, Tim was in a quandary, wondering who would finish the truck. No body shop wanted to rework the previous shop's work. Tim contacted Dewayne Arnold of Dewayne's Body Shop in Rogersville, Tennessee. Dewayne took on the task of reworking the Detroit iron to perfection. Dewayne filled the stake bed holes, bedrail ends, and everything in between. Once the bodywork was done, it was time to paint. Tim chose PPG Street Silks Hawaiian Teal to bring out the classic lines of the vintage hauler.
Tim did much of the interior himself and installed the custom-cut glass, power windows, seats, and a Vintage Air system. Tim told us that for several years the truck sat in a shed. The forces of nature, in the form of a stealthy tornado, demolished the shed. Mother Nature must be a Sport Truck fan because the '67 was spared. Unfortunately, the lawnmower didn't make it. Who would have thought that mowing the lawn as a kid would reap a pictorial in a national truck mag?
THE 411
Owner/location: Tim Christian / Rogersville, Tennessee
Year/make/model: '67 GMC 1500
Engine/drivetrain: '98 ZZ4 350 / TH350
Wheels/tires: 17x7- and 17.9-inch 465 American Racing Torq-Thrust IIs / Dunlop SP Sport 5000 245/50R17 and 255/60R17
Suspension: (Front) Early Classic's 2-1/2-inch drop spindles, 2-inch drop springs, for a total of 4-1/2 inches of drop, late-model six-lug disc brakes
(Rear) 4-inch drop leaf springs de-arched 1-1/2 inches, creating a 5-1/2-inch drop / six-lug drums
Fabricator: Tim Christian
Body Mods: Shaved mirrors / filled bed stake holes / filled bedrails / custom gas tank
Paint: Dwayne Arnold of Rogersville, Tennessee, painted the truck using PPG Street Silks Hawaiian Teal
Interior: Tea's bench seat covered in black tweed / door panels from Rod Doors / Trim Parts carpet / No Limit dash with Auto Meter gauges
Upholsterer: Tim Christian
Audio/visual: Head unit is a Custom Auto Sound unit, cranking out 100 watts through Custom Auto Sounds 6x9-inch Stealth speakers / to retain the originality of the old-school look, Tim left the radio delete plate and hid the head unit in the glovebox, operated via remote / all installed by Tim Christian