By Fredy Ramirez
SEMA is gearing up for the 2019 Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition, set to take place during the SEMA Show, and the list of competitors keeps growing longer as November approaches. SEMA eNews will highlight several vehicles each week leading up to the Show. This week's featured builds include: Austin Haynes’ ’70 Chevrolet C10, Ross Nichols’ ’69 Ford F100, Justin Arnold’s ’67 Chevrolet C10 and Marty Fox’s ’67 Chevrolet C10.
Austin Haynes’ truck has been lowered by flipping the rear end and using drop spindles and lower coils on the front while the entire body has been smoothed over. |
Austin Haynes, ’70 Chevrolet C10
Haynes’ ’70 Chevrolet C10 has come a long way since he acquired it as a sophomore in high school. The frame-off restoration took him about six years to complete. With a clean stock look in the cockpit, the most notable changes aren’t just skin deep. The truck has been lowered by flipping the rear end and using drop spindles and lower coils on the front while the entire body has been smoothed over. The classic pickup is dressed in a Mandarin pearl finish. The powerplant under the hood is a 461 big block complemented by chrome and stainless-steel components.
 Ross Nichols’ ’69 Ford F100 |  Justin Arnold’s ’67 Chevrolet C-10 |  Marty Fox’s ’67 Chevrolet C10 |
Ross Nichols, ’69 Ford F100
Scheduled to Appear: Mittler Brothers #20537
Jack’s Speed Show Owner Ross Nichols enters BOTB with a ’69 Ford F100. The build is powered by a Coyote 5.0 Twin Turbo engine that is engineered to produce 1800 hp. The build sits atop of a Lays frame and body rocker. The suspension features an MRC-fabricated IRS mandrel bent chassis with Mittler Brothers Hydroshox and Detroit Steel Wheels. Wildwood Brakes are tasked with bringing the vehicle to a stop, and Dakota Digital handles all the gauges.
Justin Arnold, ’67 Chevrolet C-10
Booth: Air Lift #23733
After competing in the 2016 BOTB, Justin Arnold returns with a Chevrolet C-10. The build’s profile features 3.5-in. chopped cab, a lower body line deleted, an upper body line added and a custom flush mount front windshield. The front end is custom-built with ’17 Camaro headlights, and the rear end features first-generation Colorado taillights. Underneath the stretched hood with ram air hood vents is a ’16 LT1 engine controlled by an 8L90 transmission.
Marty Fox, ’67 Chevrolet C10
Scheduled to Appear: Air Lift Company #23733
Marty Fox has been building vehicles since the age of 14. He enters BOTB with a ’67 Chevrolet C10, which he converted from a ’69 C10 by changing the front. The build is powered by a 383 Stroker motor with dual Fitech fuel injection and an All American billet serpentine. A 700R4 transmission controls the motor. The ride sits atop of an Air Lift suspension and USA Mags wheels. The C10’s interior features full custom Italian leather and an Autometer dash.
For more information, visit the SEMA Battle of the Builders website.