Salvage Yards to SEMA Show Floor
You’re never too young to get into building custom trucks – just ask 17-year-old Bailey Mckeska, a.k.a. “Boneyard Bailey” of Amanda, Ohio. Bailey was raised in an automotive family and has spent her entire life around custom vehicles. But it wasn’t until recently that she took the reins and built her own – a 1976 Chevrolet C10. As if that’s not impressive enough, this gorgeous ride also debuted at none other than the 2023 SEMA show, front and center in the Air Lift Performance booth. How’s that for an impressive accomplishment for someone who’s not even out of high school yet?
Built with the help of her father Mike, a talented fabricator and classic car fan who owns the local salvage yard, Bailey’s truck is the epitome of sleek and simple. Don’t let that fool you into believing that it’s just another restoration with a nice paintjob. Look closely and you’ll see custom touches throughout that even some builders three- to four-times Bailey’s age can’t pull off.
Bailey’s C10 is a true looker with the performance and stance to back it up. Needless to say, SEMA certainly won’t be the only show this truck will be seen at, and we’re willing to bet that it’ll also find its way into a winner’s circle or two.
“Dad has always had cool custom cars, so I knew I wanted something unique,” Bailey told us when asked about the inspiration for her truck.
After some consideration, she decided on a classic C10, and with a bit of looking on Facebook Marketplace, this ‘76 was procured by the father-daughter pair for $7,500. After that, it took a great deal of work, planning and several changes to get the Chevy back in top condition.
How low can one go?
What began as a simple plan to lower the vehicle quickly turned into an overhaul of the entire suspension. Building off of a Choppin’ Block full Extreme Series chassis, Bailey and her dad upgraded the C10 to include a full air suspension system, which utilizes tubular control arms with cam alignment, a narrow track width, and modular construction straight from the company. Out back, you’ll find Choppin’ Block’s triangulated 4-link suspension, also included with the chassis. Viair air compressors and an Air Lift performance FLO air tank provide the suspension with the air needed to function correctly.
Air Lift Performance 3H with height sensors controls the entire suspension system. The steering system on the truck also received an upgrade via the chassis’s included rack-and-pinion gearbox, which features flipped steering geometry meant specifically for slammed vehicles.
It takes a lot to lower a truck. You have to make sure everything, from the tires and wheels to the undercarriage, will fit perfectly for a slammed-down stance. Bailey and dad decided to bodydrop 1.5 inches the truck, which gave them some extra clearance for the suspension and frame components. They also tubbed all four wheelwells, tucking them under the hood and up into the truck’s bed, with Bailey doing all of the bead rolling work herself. With these two body modifications and the custom suspension set-up, the truck can put its body panels on the pavement at their most laid out level.
Custom Down the Color
There are some impressive details on the truck that are worth a second look. The shaved-down gutters and shaved-down fuel filler were strategically placed behind the passenger rearlight by using an LS Fabrications flip out hinge. These modifications contribute to the truck’s sleek and stylish design while allowing its original character shine through.
Aaron Lynch from Lynch Concepts painted the truck in custom AkzoNobel SageGreen and white colors. The truck is a big hit every time Bailey and dad drive it.
The interior of the truck, which is custom-made and maintains many vintage aesthetics, also reflects this. Bailey built the seats’ infrastructure from salvaged materials. They are truly unique. They were then covered in Apex Leather thanks to the help of Trent VanArsdalen of Trent’s Trick Upholstery, who showed Bailey some of the ins and outs of custom auto upholstery while crafting her custom seat coverings. Matching door panels and dash, and complimentary-colored carpet complete the look, while an updated Kicker Audio system ensures Bailey can listen to her favorite tunes while cruising through the Ohio countryside.
If looks could kill, this truck would be guilty, but having an air-ride custom that looks pretty isn’t nearly as fun as having one that can also spin some tires and put down a respectable zero-to-60. Bailey then turned to the Bow Tie’s lineage for inspiration.
If looks could kill, this truck would be guilty, but having an air-ride custom that looks pretty isn’t nearly as fun as having one that can also spin some tires and put down a respectable zero-to-60. Bailey then looked to the Bow Tie’s lineage for inspiration.
Chevy Power
Aiming to keep her truck true to its Chevy roots, Bailey opted to outfit it with a 2005 5.7-liter Chevy LS6 V-8, the same engine you’d find in a 2005 Cadillac CTS-V. Not too shabby considering these bad boys push nearly 400hp stock—more than double the power than the ‘76 C10 came with from the factory.
Mike and his daughter built a 2.5-inch stainless-steel exhaust system, which was a one-off, using a custom-made 2.5-inch header. Keeping the engine plenty cool is a Griffin radiator and fan, while the LS6 is fueled by a Choppin’ Block fuel tank.
The LS is backed by a GM 4L60E transmission with a two-piece driveshaft. This is tied to a stock GM 12-bolt rearend, which is narrowed 16 inches to aid in the truck’s lowered and tubbed condition. Planting the truck to the ground are Raceline Scoundrel 22×8.5-inch front and 24×12-inch rear wheels, backspaced by 5 inches and 4.25 inches respectively, wrapped in low-profile rubber. Wilwood brakes in both the front and rear are 14-inch with 6-piston brake calipers. Both brakes are fed by Wilwood master cylinders and stainless steel brake lines.
Bailey’s C10 is a true looker with the performance and stance to back it up. Needless to say, SEMA certainly won’t be the only show this truck will be seen at, and we’re willing to bet that it’ll also find its way into a winner’s circle or two. Bailey will be able to show off her amazing truck that she and dad built, no matter where she goes. We can’t wait to see where this young lady takes her truck, and her growing fabricating skills in the future!
BUILD STYLES
Owner
- Bailey Mckeska, aka “Boneyard Bailey”
- 1976 Chevrolet C10
- Amanda, OH
Chassis & Suspension
- Choppin’ Block Chassis Products full Extreme Series chassis with tubular control arms with cam alignment, a narrow track width, and modular construction
- Choppin’ Block 4-link rear suspension
- Full Airlift Performance 3H air ride management system with height sensor
- Air Lift Performance billet FLO air-ride tank—custom mounted
- Choppin’ Block rack-and-pinion gearbox with flipped steering geometry
Wheels & Tires
- Raceline Scoundrel 22×8.5-inch front, and 24×12-inch rear wheels
- Front: Backspacing is 5 inches, rear: 4.25 inches
Engine & Drivetrain
- 2005 Chevrolet 5.7L LS6
- PSI wiring harness
- Hooker cast headers
- Mike Mckeska has built a one-off 2.5 inch stainless steel exhaust.
- Griffin radiator and fan
- Choppin’ Block fuel tank
- Chevrolet 4L60E automatic transmission
- Two-piece rear driveshaft
- Rear end of GM 12 inch stock narrowed by 16 inches
- Front Wilwood brakes 14 inches with 6-piston calipers
- Rear Wilwood brakes 12 inches with 4-piston calipers
- Wilwood master-cylinder with 10-inch booster
- Custom stainless steel brake line
Body & Paint
- Bailey Customized one-off wheeltubs bead-rolled
- Shaved fuel tank, relocated behind passenger taillight using LS Fabrications flip-out pivot
- Shaved gutters
- Bodydrop 1.5 inches
- United Pacific Secondary LED Lights
- Spray-on Bedliner with Lizard Skin Insulation
- Aaron Lynch from Lynch Concepts has laid down a custom AkzoNobel Sage and white paint color scheme.
Interior & Stereo
- Bailey’s Custom Seats are made of salvaged materials.
- Apex Leather upholstery and carpet done by Trent VanArsdalen of Trent’s Trick Upholstery
- Full custom interior and stereo built with help from Trent’s Trick Upholstery and Apex
- Kicker Audio system
Rising Stars at SEMA! Boneyard Bailey’s Stunning 1976 C10 appeared first on Street Trucks.
