By Rob Fortier – Photography by John Jackson
7 several years in the generating (and only two decades in our characteristic information!), Huge Bill Watson’s ’66 C10, aka “Hired Gun,” is a correct training in custom made paint magic, amid other things. But, Huge Bill’s NOT a custom painter, per se … so how, accurately, did the Fleetside get its identify?
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“As significantly as the name Hired Gun, that all began when a person of my Peaceful Ambiance club associates crafted the truck initially,” Bill explains. “Pat Maxwell, of Maxwell Vehicle Style and design, is a perfectly-acknowledged customized painter who’s been all around for many many years. He specializes in graphics and flames. It was his individual truck. To him it was in no way a clearly show truck, just a interesting cruiser that kinda represented who he is and what he does for a residing. He travels all in excess of executing tailor made paintwork for men and women. That’s where the Employed Gun title came into engage in.
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“When he introduced the truck out, his first displaying that I can recall looking at the truck at was LST about 5 to 6 decades back. When I saw it, I fell in like with it and attempted for several yrs to obtain it, but was instructed ‘It’s NOT for sale.’ Nevertheless, I retained striving. It was finally sold to a mutual pal. I instructed the guy, ‘When the new wears off and you’re all set, connect with me … I want it.’ About 6 to seven months later on he named me. My son and I made a mad sprint to Houston the following working day and dropped off a Milwaukee instrument bag comprehensive of cash (pretty much).
“The truck was by no means truly ‘finished’ until eventually I obtained it, so I made a decision to acquire it to the future level. I concluded the interior, current the bed flooring, developed a custom painted-to-match 29-inch SE Huge Ripper BMX Cruiser, put in new Race Line Billet wheels to even further complement the bagged and Porterbuilt-equipped chassis, and did some engine updates to the 4.8 LS.”
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Alright, Bill … then what, exactly do YOU do?
“My shop (Phat Designs) is one particular of my companies that has been all-around for about 20 a long time. I do a small bit of every thing at my other providers, but my main focus is my appreciate for virtually nearly anything custom made has often and will generally preserve me in the shop making every little thing from old scorching rods to custom made trucks, muscle vehicles, and sports activities cars and trucks. It all started at a really early age for me (13 a long time previous) I’ve been in the tailor made auto/truck scene for nearly 40 yrs. Now, I have a 20-12 months-previous son named Bryan who is as tricky-core as I am when it comes to tailor made autos. He also has a ’66 C10 that’s in the operates as effectively as a ’59 Apache and a ’70 Chevelle SS!”
Click on this issue’s include to see the improved electronic variation of Big Bill Watson’s 1966 Chevy C10.
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