Slammed to Perfection: A Patina ’68 Travelette Built to Stand Out

In the lineage of automotive history, International Harvester Travelette trucks define a bygone era that demanded robust craftsmanship and utilitarian design. Born from the iconic International Harvester brand, these four-door pickup trucks, like the '68 Travelette seen here, were a unique breed in the truck world. Built to accommodate both family and work needs, these vehicles blended practicality with a distinct style, earning them a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts.

Fast forward to the present day, where the legacy of Travelette trucks continue to capture the imagination of individuals like Tony Leal. As an aficionado of unique rides, he found a distinctive charm in these vintage workhorses. Tony’s penchant for building vehicles that stand out from the crowd had become his trademark in the truck scene. He wasn't just interested in assembling another run-of-the-mill custom ride; he aimed to create a masterpiece that would turn heads and tell a story.

Obtaining Uniqueness

Tony Leal's journey to transform the '68 Travelette into a unique family cruiser began by enlisting the help of his trusted buddy, Dan Smalley of Pure Metal Works, to inspect a Travelette he had found in Northern California. When Tony arrived, he found it was nothing short of a complete pile of junk, a dilapidated relic that had seen better days—so he passed on it.

Thankfully, Dan revealed a more promising find, a '68 Travelette located in Hawthorne, Nevada and owned by a local police officer. With renewed excitement, Tony made the journey from Southern California, eager to lay eyes and assess this one for himself. Upon arrival, he discovered a truck that despite its own set of challenges, exuded a character that resonated with him. The real challenge lay in extracting the Travelette from its resting place in a field. Due to decades in the dirt, the wheels were stubbornly stuck in mud, requiring recovery gear to get it on his trailer.

Slammed to Perfection

Once back in the shop, Tony began work on an updated chassis. To transform the '68 Travelette into a ground-hugging marvel, he opted for a full custom air-bagged chassis regulated by an AirLift 3H kit. This sophisticated system allowed him to control the ride height of the suspension with precision. Complemented by a FLO air tank and powerful VIAIR compressors, the Travelette could be lowered to the ground with the push of a button, creating a dramatic visual impact that sets it apart from the ordinary.

As Tony worked on the details of the project, the Travelette gradually evolved into a rolling piece of art. The combination of vintage patina and modern customization showcased the harmony between the past and the present. The contemporary 20-inch wheels, wrapped in Nitto NT555 G2 tires, added a touch of modern flair to the classic truck's aesthetic. Plus, the Nitto’s advanced tread compound and large tread blocks contribute to enhanced traction, responsive steering, and improved cornering stability.

Function Junction

The engine compartment underwent a meticulous transformation, with every detail designed to captivate onlookers. The heart of the beast is a modern Chevy 5.3L LT engine, ensuring a perfect blend of reliability and performance. Power from this potent engine is delivered to the ground through a 6L80 transmission to a Strange Engineering 9-inch rear end. Not only was the combo used for reliability, but it also has no problem handling increased power from the modern engine.

Inner Glory

Inside the cab, Tony spared no effort in creating a space that combined comfort and modern convenience. The simplicity of the interior design discretely showcases the thoughtful enhancements that were made. Dakota Digital gauges adorn the dash that was painted to match the engine bay, offering a clear and precise view of the truck's vital signs. An Ididit steering column paired with a MOMO steering wheel provides a tactile connection between driver and machine.

Tony, known for his appreciation of sound systems, enlisted the expertise of Gary Bell from Define Concepts to craft an audio experience that matched the truck's visual prowess. A stereo system, controlled by a Musway DSP control unit, was integrated seamlessly into the cabin. Two 6.5-inch Hertz speakers and two JL Audio 10-inch subwoofers, all housed in custom enclosures, deliver a symphony of sound that reverberates through the cab.

Finishing Touches

Ensuring that every detail was considered, MST Upholstery worked their magic on the interior. A custom carpet adorns the floor, while custom upholstery covers the air vents and shifter console for a cohesive look. The factory seats, now wrapped in durable vinyl, promise both comfort and longevity. Moving to the rear, the truck's utilitarian bed underwent a transformation of its own. The steel bed floor was replaced with a custom floor crafted from varnished pine wood—an elegant touch that spoke to the truck's dual nature of ruggedness and refinement.

As Tony’s Travelette emerged from its transformative journey, it stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of history and innovation, style, and substance. This low and cool family cruiser isn't just a vehicle; it is a rolling piece of art that encapsulated his passion for building unique, eye-catching rides that transcended the ordinary.

Hard Facts

2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear

Ford has just unveiled its all-electric F-150 concept truck called the Switchgear. Based off of the F-150 Lightning platform, the Switchgear is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and RTR vehicles. The idea behind the truck was to reimagine just what a dual-purpose pickup truck could be. The reason it’s called Switchgear is that the off-road upgrades are designed to be easily swapped out for a street setup.

While we’ll have to wait to see just what that looks like, for now, we will dive into the details of this all-electric off-road setup.

Electrified Power

The Switchgear uses the Lightning’s dual motor configuration to crank out 580hp and 775 lb. ft of torque. Given it’s a concept vehicle, there’s no official 0 to 60 times or range estimates.  

Shocking Suspension

Switchgear has a fully independent suspension utilizing Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks. The front suspension is turning out 11 inches of travel, while the rear is dialed in for 13 inches. 

Grounded Grappling

Getting the power to the ground is a set of 37x12.50R18 Nitto Trail Grapplers. Securing the ultimate mud-terrain tires in place are 18-inch RTR beadlock wheels. For street driving (aka drift mode) the Trails are swapped out for a set of Nitto NT420Vs in a 305/55R20.

Connected Interior

The inside of the Lightning is a busy arrangement of old and new tech. This is represented wonderfully by the custom machined handbrake nestled between the massive display screens.

High Voltage Flare

Providing coverage for the Grapplers, and adding a bit of style to boot, are the carbon composite fenders. The flares, along with the bedsides and front bumper cover were all handcrafted for this F-150.

Ride The Lightning

Recaro seats and Schroth 6-point harnesses were installed to keep everyone strapped in safely. We’re thinking this truck may see a similar tour circuit as the original F-150 RTR collaboration. This means there is a real possibility you could go for a ride in this concept truck sometime in 2024.

Plugged In Mods

In the off-road configuration, a bed rack, rocker guards, and steel bumpers complete the look and function of the truck. For the street setup, these off-road wares are set aside for lighter carbon composite upgrades.

The Spark

While Vaughn Gittin Jr. made his name in the racing world by becoming one of the most dominate drivers in Formula Drift, he’s continued his racing career as a championship winning driver in the Ultra4Racing series. This experience in both worlds undoubtedly led to what may be the future of EV dual-sport building.

Mid-Century Modern: '55 Chevrolet Bel-Air Restomod

Starting a project with an iconic platform can be daunting for some builders. When a particular car has cemented its place into the minds of both enthusiasts and the larger American public, the transformation needs to truly be special to elevate it beyond its roots. Take a Tri-5 Chevy for example, a car so entrenched into Americana that it moves past iconic into nearly “the icon.” Moving the needle on a Bel Air build requires a whole lot more than just wheels and a drop.

Start with Good Bones

The owner of this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air gave Georgia-based SOB Motorsports carte blanche to transform the car into something special. The owner said, “A local hot rod builder/ collector originally built the car and drove and showed the car across the southeast."

"There was no hesitation in taking the car to where it is now, though. The car had a nice shiny 502 big block in it with a turbo 400 transmission, but I wanted to take it a little further and keep a black theme going.”

SOB Built’s vision for the car was a “big horsepower, street friendly tire frier! The car was beautiful, it just needed our custom vision for the stance, the wheels and of course the power!” Their decision to retain the overall classic OEM aesthetic of the ‘55 was a smart decision, allowing the slick black paint and chrome to shine in a way that is thoroughly period-correct.

While the modern trend of blacking out chrome certainly has its purpose for certain segments, robbing a Tri-5 of its shine requires a LOT of justification.

Big Wheels, Big Vibes

SOB Built painstakingly fitted the staggered 20 and 22 inch Forgiato FV4 to the classic Chevy resulting in a completely jaw-dropping look. While calling a set of staggered large diameter wheels “period correct” would be a bridge too far, Forgiato’s design harkens back to popular hubcap designs of the period, feeling both fresh and familiar at the same time.

Bagged Bel Air

Stance is not made by wheels alone, however. The Bel Air received a full Ride Tech air suspension to really hammer home the classic gangster vibes. SOB Built owner Zack Martin said, “I love the custom fitment of the wheels, which required the new axles, and the air suspension."

"Everything is a precise puzzle piece, they all have to work together and fit just right for the big picture to come out correct in the end.”

Nitto Invo + Forgiato Combo

Choosing the right tire for the Bel Air was an easy decision. Although the car makes big power, the goal for this build was ultimately a street cruiser rather than a pure performance machine. Zack said, “We love Nitto's Invo tires, we have run them on multiple builds, along with our personal cars! The car still spins the tires but it’s a great smooth ride thus far.”

The Nitto Invo Luxury Ultra High Performance tire works perfect for the project because it was specifically developed for staggered size applications. Every aspect of the Invo’s modern tread design was engineered to optimize traction in both wet and dry situations, increase braking stability, and provide a quiet, predictable experience on long drives in high horsepower vehicles.

Blown LSX Power

That high horsepower, by the way, comes courtesy of a 427” LSX crate motor with a Boost District blower. Pulling this off in a classic Chevy platform wasn’t easy. Zack said, “Fitting the complete package in a somewhat tight engine bay, with the added needs for the supercharger and required cooling wasn’t easy. We built a custom “Air Dam” type heat exchange so the Heat Exchanger is actually flat under the front of the car with ducting forcing air in and through.”

A Holley Terminator X ECU and custom Custom Built Aeromotive fuel system keeps everything running smoothly through a built 4L80E transmission. Altogether, Zach said, “The goal was as close to 1000hp as possible on a pump gas combo for ease of use and drivability. The car makes well over 700hp to the tire, which through a 4l80E and a 9” rear end is pretty close to our target crank HP goal on pump gas.”

Altogether, this Tri-5 successfully separates itself from the hordes of classic '50s Chevrolets filling the lots of cruise-ins around the country. Pulling bits of influence from the pro-touring style, the big wheel domestic scene, and OEM+/period correct tuner styles, it stands on the shoulders of so many cars before it while firmly having its own identity. It feels both mid-century, and modern, doing justice to the iconic platform on which it is based.