Andrea Fappani’s 1965 GMC “Showman”
Growing up in Italy, Andrea Fappani always admired American pickups but never had the pleasure of bouncing along on a long bench seat in a narrow cab. When he moved to Arizona in the early-2000s, he quickly found a GM OBS truck as a driver to get his pickup fix.
Years later, he came across a long-bed ’65 GMC, a former farm truck that was solid and original with its V6 still chugging along. He decided to have Weaver Customs take a look at upgrading it with a few modern touches to create a reliable cruiser. That plan quickly escalated as he talked with Randy Weaver and saw what the shop could accomplish. A green light was given for a full custom build and 18 months later, the farm truck (now known as “Showman”) became a Goodguys LMC Truck of the Year Late finalist, plus a finalist for the Chevrolet Performance GM Iron Builder of the Year title!
The Weaver team worked its metal magic with an overall theme of sharpening the body lines for a more pronounced appearance. This included reworking the roofline, fabricating a full-length rocker treatment, removing the bumpers, and accentuating the factory shapes. Smooth touches like flush-mount glass and inset door handles were also added. Once the metal fab was complete, Weaver covered it all in a custom Axalta silver/blue hue.
The custom sheet metal work continued under the hood with a stylish engine cover and fresh air ducts concealing a supercharged LT4 fitted with an All American Billet accessory drive system. The 6.2L is flanked by mirrored reservoirs and panels for the intercooler and BeCool radiator along with the required electronic controls for the Chevrolet Performance drivetrain. A Tremec six-speed is coupled to the engine through a McLeod clutch assembly with gear changes controlled via a custom shifter.
Stance was perfected through a Choppin’ Block chassis with air controls to achieve the ideal drop and cruising height. A four-link secures the 9-inch rearend housing capped with 14-inch Wilwood rotors with 6/4 piston calipers front and rear. Custom 18- and 20-inch three-piece wheels were whittled by Mark “Maker” Atkinson along with a number of other custom billet parts.
Everything about the interior is custom built including the seats, dash, and door panels. MCM Custom Interior and Seams Impossible stitched the Italian leather upholstery. A set of Dakota Digital gauges relay driveline information while a RestoMod A/C system keeps Andrea and a lucky passenger comfortable while cruising this custom pickup in the Arizona heat.
Photos by John Jackson
