The First Generation S-10 has been in the making for nearly three decades
SWe hear this golden rule repeated over and over: Be patient when building something important. It’s hard to accept setbacks and time restraints—we get it. Things don’t always work out as planned, and sometimes other more important life “distractions” pop up and vaporize time that would usually be spent in the garage. Losing patience and moving on from an extensive project isn’t unheard of during times like these.
There are, however, enthusiasts out there who never give up—no matter how long unforeseen detours may take. James Margeson, a Toronto-based Canadian, is an example of someone who doesn’t give up. He told us how long he took to complete his first-gen S-10 and, even though he faced delays and roadblocks at every turn, he maintained composure.
“I was 13 years old when I saw my first mini-truck” James recounts. “It was on the cover of Truckin’ magazine (October 1989, Volume 15, No. 10), and the story was called ‘Down To Earth.’ I fell in love with this truck’s style instantly, and I’ve been hooked since then. I told my father and brother that I would own a truck just as cool one day, but I didn’t anticipate it taking so long to finally reach that goal.”
James bought his very first car in March 1996, a 1983 Chevy Extended Cab.
“It was rough, but it was all I could afford,” he admits.
James clearly still owns the same truck and has never thrown it out. April 2023 marked the completion of his cherished S-10—27 years after he purchased it from someone in the east end of Toronto.
“I kept pushing toward my end goal of creating a detailed show truck,” he says. “It’s still a little hard to believe that it is finally done.”
Onboard Talent
James, a machinist in his trade, was able to handle a large part of the S-10’s build by himself. It didn’t hurt that his brother Jeff was also there to lend a hand when needed. James had a number of talented and willing friends in the area where he grew up who were always ready to lend a hand.
Dan Roelofsen, of 519 Kustomz, in Guelph (Ontario), was enlisted to help James design a custom rear-half setup and side tilt bed. Matt Moran took over the building process of the project. KP Components’ 4-link kit, tubular upper/lower control arms, and a Little Shop no-bump steer-tie-rod-end package were installed for the front end. Matt then installed an Accuair e-Level air-management system to allow James easy control of his S-10’s on-the-fly altitude adjustments.
Ivan Benic’s airbrushing skills were called upon to spread a complex day-and-night theme across the bay.
The S-10’s newly reworked chassis was then treated to a full paintjob courtesy of Jag Grewal of Co-Up Auto Body in Mississauga, Ontario. Both the new SSBC calipers and the front factory brake calipers have been painted to match. To give them a unique twist, a set of 18 and 20 inch Schott MachV eXLS Concave wheels with custom bronze ceramic finishes was ordered. James was able to make the S-10 stand out from the sea of Dimes by ordering a staggered set of 18- and 20-inch Schott Mach V eXL S Concave wheels with a custom bronze ceramic finish.
The truck’s factory-equipped engine was plucked out in hopes of swapping in a slightly newer mill to power it. James was able to do just that with a 1994 4.3L “W” code block with 2001 4.3L Vortex heads. He was able upgrade the engine and dress it up in all its painted and polished glory.
Ivan Benic’s airbrushing magic was used to spread a complex day and evening theme across the bay. James also added some custom billet touches. These included a one-off battery tray, intake cover with Lowkey Designs logo and matching oil and radiator filler caps. It would be an understatement to say that this engine compartment has a unique look.
Trick Yet Understated
James envisioned that his truck would look both trick and understated when the dust settled. He has achieved this goal. The S-10’s body panels have been worked smoothed, but it’s the little tweaks that pull attention to the truck. A full-size OBS Chevy front bumper was cut to fit. In fact, two OBS bumpers have been utilized—the other one was flipped upside down and modified to serve as an air dam that has been stuffed with a set of Frenched PIAA driving lights. A 1991-’93 GMC grille and radiator support also found their way onto the S-10, as did a Stull horizontal bar insert with a custom Day2Nite emblem, top and bottom headlight covers, and one-off blue turn signal lenses fabricated by Jason Rhodes at Klearz in Ottawa. The truck’s frontend has a dignified look, while its rear was given a more modern touch.
The most noticeable attribute of the S-10’s posterior must be the full size 2006 Range Rover HSE taillights. To balance out the taillights, the tailgate and bed top were reshaped. The Rover lights were a great fit, and the result was worth it. The reversed taillights and the Grant Fab roll pan also draw attention but not as much as that tilted bed. When it comes time to park the S-10 at a show, there’s no better way for James to show off the truck’s rear chassis work underneath. To finish off the S-10’s exterior overhaul, 2016 Range Rover Mariana black paint was sprayed by Jag Grewal to give the truck a simple air of sophistication.
Exotic Interior
The last piece of the puzzle for James’ truck was the interior, and he was in no way pressured into rushing its renovation. At first glance, you’d swear this cab space belongs to an exotic vehicle, and that is not too far from the truth. While the seats were pulled from an ordinary ’93 Saturn, the dash was imported from a British vehicle—a ’59 Ford Zephyr. These cars don’t pop up too often these days, so it’s cool to see a piece of it featured in an unlikely location within the confines of this S-10.
Dakota Digital gauges, as well as the center console, door and cab panels, were reshaped and wrapped in ivory leather. The Schott wheel color and the contrast bronze color were painted in the same shade to create a harmonious look. The rest of cab space was shaped naturally, creating a harmonious landscape. James wanted to add a personal touch to the interior. He incorporated his passion for wristwatches in the design of the dual storage compartments that are located at the back of the cab. They were created to mimic the style and shape of watch display boxes. James and Jeff designed a high-end, luxurious cabin fit for even the most elegant rides.
This S-10 has been a lifelong project for James, and there isn’t one thing about it that he’d want to see done differently.
“If you can think of it, it has happened to me over the last 27 years,” he says, as he ends his tale. “There are no worthwhile shortcuts to take when building a full show truck. I chased after my dream until it was realized. It is not possible to accomplish a project in a day.
“Thank you to my wife, Kelly, for always having my back, and thanks to all my brothers, Jeff, Chris, Steven and JR for all the late nights and long weekends. Also, to everyone else who helped me along this 27-year journey, your assistance is greatly appreciated.”
TRUCK SPECS
Owner
- James Margeson
- 1983 Chevy S-10
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- LOWKEY Designs
Engine & Powertrain
- 1994 Chevy 262ci V-6 swap
- 2001 Vortex Heads ported and Polished
- Roller rocker
- Custom 2.5-inch exhaust system
- 1993 4.3L CPI intake
- Custom made intake cover made from solid billet block
- Distributor machined to engage oil pump
- Customized Aluminum Radiator and Heater Hoses
- Transmission 4L60E, 1994
- Custom nickel-plated driveshaft
Chassis & Suspension
- Dan Roelofsen, 519 Kustomz & Matt Moran from Guelph Ontario Canada modified a stock chassis.
- Owner and his brothers installed suspension components
- Slam Specialties RE6 front and RE7 rear ‘bags
- Upper and lower tubular control arms
- Little Shop no-bump steer tie rod end kit
- Accuair e-Level system w/ Dakota Digital pressure readout
- Back half custom made
- KP Components 4 link with cantilever
- Nickel plating or stainless steel for every nut and bolt
- Jag Grewel at Co-Up Auto Body in Mississauga painted this Nissan B17 full chassis blue.
Wheels, Tires & Brakes
- 18×7 and 20×7 Schott Mach V eXL S Concave wheels
- Tires 215/35/18, 225/30/20 and 225/35/20
- Slotted rotors and smoothed and painted SSBC calipers on the front and rear factory calipers
- Wilwood master cylinder
Body & Paint
- Paint by Jaggrewal @ Co-Up Auto Body
- Ivan Benic from Windsor, Ontario Canada.
- 2016 Range Rover Mariana black paint
- Stull ’91-’93 GMC grille
- Hella H4 headlights
- Full-size taillights for 2006 Range Rover HSE
- Shortened tailgate
- Custom Grant Fab roll pan
- Matt Moran built a side tilt bed that was designed by Dan Roelofsen.
- OBS bumpers cut to fit
- PIAA Driving Lights Into Custom Air Dam
- 1997-’98 BMW 3-Series side marker lights
- Jason Rhodes, Klearz, Ottawa Ontario, Canada, custom blue turn signal lenses
Interior & Stereo
- Kevin has reshaped and upholstered the 1993 Saturn seats in leather.
- 1959 Ford Zephyr dash
- Metal door panels painted in bronze to match wheels
- James and Jeff Margeson: Lower door panels, armrest, center console and kick panels.
- Custom watch box with 2 storage compartments
- Seatbelt Planet offers custom-made seatbelts.
- Interior trim and accessories made of aluminum
- Two-tone Alea Leather Upholstery
- Douglass Interior Products, Bellevue (WA)
- Colorado Customs steering wheel
The post The 27 Year Journey of a First Gen S-10 originally appeared on Street Trucks.
