When you belong to a premier car club like Groupe C.C. your ranfla better be hittin'. That's not a problem for Angel Villarreal, who rolls hard with one of the cleanest '51 Chevy pickups in Southern California. As a boy, Angel use to pore over Lowrider Magazine page after page, dreaming that some day he too would have a fine ride gracing the pages of LRM.
Well, guess what? Sometimes dreams do come true. After having a '78 Chevy truck and an '87 Chevy El Camino, it was time to roll with the big boys. After seeing his friend Tony DeLimone with a '51 Chevy pickup, Angel knew that's what he wanted, so after some bargaining with Tony, Angel brought the GM hauler home. One night while cruising the newly bought trokita, the engine let go. What to do now was Angel's question? Repair it or go all out and make it Groupe worthy? Tu sabes, going all out was the right choice.
A full frame-off build was the result. Angel thanks his father and mother for their continued help through the years, his wife and family, nephew "Lil' Cisco," who's been there from the start, and all of his friends and fellow club members who gave a helping hand. After all was said and done, Angel was finally satisfied that he achieved a childhood dream. A chance meeting at a local car show introduced Angel to LRM. The result is what you see here.
Tech specsAngel DustOwner: Angel VillarrealVehicle: '51 Chevrolet pickupCity/State: Riverside, CaliforniaClub: Groupe C.C.-Riverside chapter
Engine/Drivetrain: In his garage, Angel removed the front clip and the engine. With a rebuilt 235-c.i.d. inline six circa 1954, the old truck was on its way to stardom. Add a spilt manifold and aluminized pipes on glass-packs and you have some sweet sounds courtesy of lowrider veterano Joe Epstein of Montebello, California. The rearend gets its power from a three-on-the-tree shifted tranny.
Body/Paint: Robles Auto Body in Riverside sprayed the truck with PPG retro green and then buffed it to a showroom shine. Angel then went to California Striping in Corona, California, for some ultra-cool pinstripe work. Angel's uncle David Ramirez helped in the restoration of the wood bed and the custom wood side rails with chrome Chevrolet emblems. Angel called Eddie Tovar of the infamous Tovar brothers, who have graced many a page in LRM. Eddie gave some much needed advice on the small but important touches that a true OG lowrider needs, like deluxe bumper guards, GM fog lamps, spotlight, sunvisor, the ever-important swamp cooler and a host of other old school add-ons. The bed still looked lonely, so Angel found a Phantom bike, stripped it and restored it to completion.
Interior: To keep with the old school look, Angel chose Comfort Zone Interiors in Corona, where Johnny Quintero stitched up the seats and doors with black velour in a stock pattern.
Sound System: Every hardcore car dude has to have sounds so Angel and his dad installed a Pioneer head unit and four 6x9 and two 51/2 -inch speakers, all powered by a 200-watt amp.
Suspension: Angel knew that the frame needed work so after some long hours of sanding and cleaning, the frame was ready for powdercoating. The frame and lowering leaf springs were sent to S&G Coatings in Riverside for a cool black powdercoat.
Tires: 5.60 Denman
Wheels: 15-inch old style Lancer crossbar wheels