The C10 Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway were packed with incredible trucks, but one ride stole the spotlight—a patina 1966 Stepside C10 tearing up the CPP Autocross course. Nothing beats seeing a weathered old Chevy driven hard, but the real surprise came when the driver hopped out. It wasn’t a seasoned pro… it was 16-year-old Darren Hanchey of Killeen, TX, with his dad riding shotgun. We had to know the story behind this young builder and his first classic truck.
How It All Started
Darren grew up around cars thanks to his dad’s body shop, where he developed a love for classic trucks early on. One day, a customer abandoned a rough ’66 C10 at the shop. While it wasn’t fit for a full restoration, Darren saw it as the perfect candidate for his first build.With just an empty cab, bare frame, and determination, Darren and his dad transformed the forgotten longbed into a slick shortbed driver in only six months. They pieced it together with front sheetmetal from a junkyard ’65, bed parts from other builds, and preserved its natural patina with a satin clear coat.
CPP Suspension & Chassis Upgrades
Darren didn’t just rebuild the truck—he made it handle like a champ. Together, he and his dad outfitted the C10 with a slew of CPP components:- Front Suspension: CPP 2-inch drop spindles, 2-inch drop springs, nitrogen drop shocks, upgraded lower control arms, and a sway bar.
- Rear Setup: CPP crossmember, C-Notch kit, 3-inch drop coils, 2-inch trailing arm drop blocks, and rear sway bar for tighter cornering.
- Brakes: 11” front discs from a later model C10, CPP rear disc brake conversion, master, booster, and proportioning valve.
- Steering: CPP 500 Series power steering conversion kit for precision handling.
Powertrain & Performance
Under the hood sits a mild 305ci small-block Chevy with a thumper cam, fed by a FiTech EFI system for reliable fuel delivery. A T5 5-speed manual keeps things fun, sending power to a GM 12-bolt with 3.73 gears. A future limited-slip upgrade is on Darren’s list.The truck now rolls on modern 20x9-inch matte black Fuel Tech wheels wrapped in Kuhmo Ecsta rubber, giving it an aggressive stance fit for autocross.
Interior with Modern Comfort
Inside, Darren blended classic style with modern touches:- Steering: ididit tilt column & Flaming River billet steering wheel.
- Gauges: Dakota Digital VHX electronic cluster in blue.
- Seating: Black leather captain’s chairs with console from a 2017 Honda Pilot.
- Audio: RetroSound Bluetooth stereo, Kicker 5 ½” speakers, and 10-inch subwoofer for cruising tunes.
Future Plans
Like any true hot rod project, Darren’s C10 is never “finished.” Future upgrades include:- Vintage Air climate control system
- 20-gallon baffled aluminum fuel tank
- Gen III or IV LS engine swap with a CPP LS Conversion Kit
One Heck of a First Truck