As soon as the first Ford Model T, aka the Tin Lizzie, rolled off the assembly line, you can bet that someone had already figured out how to bump up the sluggish transversely mounted semi-elliptical spring suspension. They probably added some sweet rims too, and the factory paint seriously had to go. Individualizing our rides is as old as the wheel, and car modification is as much a form of person
al artistic expression, as it is a compliment to a particular vehicle model. The vehicles lines, its platform or the image it projects, whatever the reason is, it inspired someone to transform and elevate it into something greater. After enjoying the initial phase of his modification for a couple of years Hathaway decided he was ready to throw in all the way, so he disassembled the truck down to the frame with a little help from his friends and his car-ative juices began to flow. "We stock floor body dropped my truck 3½ inches putting the body on the ground and the doors 1¼ inches off the ground. With the truck disassembled I began the metal work on the exterior. The door handles, a third brake light, steak pocket, gas door, tailgate, and taillights were all shaved smooth. The fuel filler neck was relocated into the notch cover inside the bed, which was constructed using stock bed floor material, then sprayed with Line-X. I installed a roll pan with flush mount L.E.D taillights, a snug top Tonneau Cover, and Good Mark Steel Cowl Induction Hood." "Once the exterior metal work was complete Clint Lasker , Louis, and Gordo smoothed, sanded, primed, and painted the Galapagos green and olive silver base coat using PPG paint. After the base coat was applied the truck was taken to Mike Lewis where he painted the hand brushed wood grain graphics, and then it was sprayed with PPG concept 2010 clear coat. The interior plastic has been smoothed and painted Galapagos green to match the exterior. The seats are from a '99 Suburban, with the arm rests and headrests deleted and upholstered with light grey suede and light titanium faux leather .The stereo is an Alpine head unit, JL audio speakers with a custom made door pods, and center console amp rack that holds 3 JL audio Amplifiers." The Alpine head unit is matched with JL audio speakers with custom made door pods, and center console amp rack that holds 3 JL audio Amplifiers and the 1999 Suburban seats were upholstered with light grey suede and light titanium faux leather. "The engine is a 5.7L V8, with a York 210 air-conditioning compressor converted into an air compressor to power the air suspension, Accel ignition, March pulleys, Flowmaster exhaust, and the AEM brute force intake with pre-filter wrap. The truck rides on 20" Boss 308 rims and Powerstop cross drilled rotors. I did everything except spray the color or stitch the seats". Hathaway has modding in his DNA, his father owns a body shop and as a teen that's where he began honing his chops. After that he picked up some skills working at an autosound shop, and finally he added ironworker to his resume. "Working in these trades enabled me to have the knowledge and experience to complete this and all my projects," Hathaway reasoned. "My first build was a 1955 De Soto, which was completely shaved and lowered. Then I built a 1990 Honda Civic with a body kit, fully built suspension, custom interior, and engine swap (w/AEM Intake)." The Green and Silverado's doors rest a mere 1 1/4 inches off the ground. "My latest build is the Green and Silverado which took eight years to complete overall. The Green and Silverado will attend 10-15 big shows including SEMA and a handful of small shows and cruise nights. When I'm not attending shows I spend time with my club Down To Earth. My wife and son enjoy taking the truck around town on our own little cruises, also we are Disneyland junkies (we go once or twice a month) or you can find me at Dodger stadium or in front of the television watching the Dodgers game. I represent AEM because of the high quality product they produce. The performance, fuel economy, torque gains and style. My AEM Brute Force intake delivers on all of those." The next recreation for the Green and Silverado involves an engine swap with either a LS1 or a LQ9. "It depends on availability," Hathaway adds, "and maybe some billet wheels. And then I'll finally start doing shows abroad." "Also, I would like to thank my wife, Autumn Hathaway, Bruce and Margie Hathaway, Rich and Helen Eaton, Mike Lewis, Chris Couto, Phil Hernandez, Rich Clark, Kc Hathaway, Richie Eaton, Kyle Hathaway, Justin Mc Nab, Clint Lasker, Louis, Gordo, Shawn Lisjack, Aaron at Newhall muffler and Fab, AEM Performance Intakes, Erik Forbes, Line-X of Simi Valley, Andy at My Tire Store, Mark Shaffer, And Larry at auto service and body for making this dream a reality Like the green and Silverado page on Facebook." Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products
