Nicholas LeBlanc’s 1936 Chevy Truck

March 8, 2010 in Featured View Comments

With the help of some friends and an awesome wife, Nick’s 1936 Chevy truck is chopped, shortened, custom upholstered (by him) and sports a 348 motor. He’s been kind enough to share his story along with beautiful pictures of his truck. What’s your real name?  (What’s your online screen name?)
Nicholas LeBlanc “Nick”

Where do you live?
Roy, Utah

What do you do for a living?
Aircraft Structural Mechanic

What GM(s) do you drive?
1936 Chevy truck

How long have you had your GM(s)?
A little over a year

What got you into GM(s)?
I’ve always liked Chevy’s but I didn’t really get into them until I met my friend James Lavery. James has a 39 Chevy truck and he let me borrow his for about a week when I barely even knew him. I thought that was the coolest thing I’ve seen someone do for someone else.

Have a favorite story to tell about your truck?
Cruising at the Salt Flats this past year was one memory I’ll never forget.

What was your favorite modification to your truck? Why?
I don’t know that is really tough. It’s a toss up between the chop and motor. I’ll have to go with the motor though. I just love the look of it. Most people don’t know what motor it is or they ask if it’s a 348/409?

What’s next for your truck?  Why?
I would like to try and find some 17” Chevy artillery wheels. That is how I’ve always pictured the truck. Those wheels are very hard to find but I really think they would make the truck.

Who has done most of the modifications on your truck? If you, what have you learned?
I’ll be totally honest, James built a good portion of the truck. When I bought it, he had already chopped the top, made the frame and most of the suspension and also mounted the 348 and trans. It was a roller when I took over the project.  I welded up a few patches in the cab and made the floor and driveshaft tunnel of the cab myself.

I fabricated the headers with some help from James. I cut the bed to 4 ft. and mounted it to the frame. I also made the wood floor for the bed.  I also made all the brake/gas lines and mounted the fuel tank and the battery box “Jack Daniel’s box”.

Mounted the radiator and had to make a custom bottom radiator hose because nothing I found would fit. With help of my Dad we put the newly rebuilt carburetors, distributor, coil, water pump, starter, and alternator. We also put in a new wiring harness and fuse box.

I also do upholstery on the side and custom made the seat and re-upholstered it with real tuck and roll. I drilled and mounted the friction shocks. Hmm . . . there was a lot.

I learned a lot building this truck. I know I drove James and few other friends crazy with all my questions but they always helped me out. I can’t really name just one thing because there was so much I learned because this was my first build. I had a lot of fun doing it though.

Why did you go with the Chevy 348 motor?
When I bought the truck from James the motor was already in the truck. We were originally going to take that motor out and put a 350 in it but I just fell in love with the motor and had to have it. I think it really makes the whole truck

Who has helped you the most along the way?
Obviously James, lol. My friend Troy, my Dad and of course my awesome wife, Jodie. I couldn’t believe she put up with me working on that thing so much.

Is there a particular shop you’d like to recommend?
McNeese Enterprises Shop in SLC.

Do you spend time on any GM sites?  Which ones?
It’s not GM specific but the HAMB.

Modification list?
Top is chopped a lot, custom headers, chevy 348, bed shortened to 4 ft., 1940 chevy car frame heavily modified, three Stromburg 48’s, Custom Upholstery/Seat, 32 Chrysler hood ornament, 4 speed manual trans, Antique Jack Daniel’s ” battery box”, 1940 Chevy steering wheel, Aluminum fuel cell, 1938 Chevy truck tail lights, vintage after market headlights and marker lights, friction shocks.

Chevy, Salt Lake City, Truck