The Cannonball C10, A Road Rally Inspired Super Square!
By CJ Holt
Photos by Steven Bunker
Michael Maysmith’s 1974 Chevrolet C10 is the stuff of truck dreams. Based in San Jose, California, it’s affectionately known as the Cannonball C10. This road rally inspired pickup was built by Wes McFarland at One Off Customs and even though it’s a ’74 model, it blends classic ‘80s styling with all the modern go-fast goodies one could ever ask for in a road race car yet it’s all beautifully packaged into a truck.
The exterior of the sensational square body automatically transports you back to 1980, at least for us. The “Chevy Sport” styling that GM released on a small number of trucks back in the day is reminiscent in the graphics on the truck. What’s more interesting is, the truck is wrapped. Yes, you read that right. The entire exterior of the Cannonball C10 has been meticulously wrapped in vinyl. Not a process we’re used to seeing in the classic car or truck market, nonetheless, it’s super cool! Plus, Maysmith wants to change the look of the truck a few times, and with vinyl, you can just peel it off and start over.
Don’t think for a second that the vinyl is just covering up blemishes. The panels underneath received the same attention to detail as any high-end hot rod and were sprayed using GM Frost White from PPG before being wrapped. To better achieve a 50/50 weight distribution the front fenders and hood were replaced with fiberglass pieces. The hood is a custom piece from US Body Source and together with the glass front fenders and custom aluminum radiator support, the weight savings were significant! The cab remains mostly stock, while the bed received custom touches such as a modified bed floor, frenched fuel door, II Much Fab fuel & differential vents, and a set of jumper posts just in case.
Powering the tire burning pickup is a no-joke 630hp Mast Motorsports 416cid stroked LS3 with Black Label heads and a custom ground cam. A FAST 102mm intake and an NW102 throttle body managed by the Holley Dominator engine management system supplies the fuel delivery. In keeping with the road rally theme, the stroker is backed by a Tremec 6-speed and custom driveline.
Having 600-plus horsepower is great, but not being able to plant that power to the rear wheels isn’t. Enter the Roadster Shop and their Fast Track C10 chassis, a unit that helps C10 owners transform their cannonball C10 from mule to thoroughbred. Based around a C5 spindle, the chassis comes equipped with IFS, Penske coilovers, a 4-bar rear setup, and a 9” housing. Wilwood Superlite brakes provide the much needed stopping power in the corners and the Tremec 6-Speed gearbox makes grabbing gears oh-so-much fun! Last but not least a custom stainless tank with ZL1 pump from Ricks Tanks and Pressureworx pump management system were thrown in for good measure.
Keeping the truck glued to the asphalt is a set of 19” x 12” Forgeline RB3C Concave wheels (RB being short for Ring Brothers), wrapped in crazy wide Michelin 345/30R/19 Pilot rubber.
Inside the truck, a “Tiger Cage” inspired roll cage was fabricated using 304 stainless, which doubles as the mount for the RJS 4-point belts. Finish Line Interiors of Santa Clara, CA handled the interior and laid down dark saddle carpet on the floors, and covered the custom aluminum bench seat in tan Ferarri leather with Porsche Madras Brown Tartan inserts. The dash retains its stock look, with the exception of a modern gauge cluster from Dakota Digital and a 14” GM comfort grip steering wheel. There’s even a custom Cannonball 10 emblem above the glove box door to dress up the interior even more.
The Cannonball C10 is one wicked pickup, an “all show and all go” truck that’s capable of competing in road rally races everywhere. Maysmith isn’t shy about driving the truck either and has been known to make bomber runs to Southern California and Arizona to attend a few of the popular classic truck events.
If you’re lucky enough to live out west, there’s a good chance you’ll catch a glimpse of the Cannonball C10 laying rubber between the cones at one of our Goodguys Autocross events, or maybe even at your local cruise night.
