1993 Chevrolet C1500 owned by Kevin Manis

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Issue

September 2023

Owner

Kevin Manis

Ride

Floatin
(1993 Chevrolet C1500)

Meaning Behind the Name

The paint scheme looks like a Rootbeer Float

Photographer

Cheri Delgado

Ride Details

Original Cost

$500.00

Build Cost

Don't want to know (Build Not Bought)

What was the inspiration?

To build something my family and I could be proud of.

How long did it take you to build?

I've owned the truck for 23 years, build time was probably 8 years total.

How long have you been building?

I build my first engine when I was 13 years old, so about 31 years now.

Club Affiliations

Unforgiven Mini Truck Club

Your future plans?

I really don't have any future plans for it, paint was the last step to it being 'finished'. I have been tossing around the idea of swapping out some more of the chrome on the engine for a few more black and or root beer1 colored accents but nothing firm has taken hold yet.

Vehicle history

When I bought the truck it has the good ol' 90's theme paint white with pink and purple graphics and OE interior. It at that time was also static dropped. I don't know anything about it previous to that.

Thanks to

Special thanks goes to all the people listed in each section. You all had a hand in making my vision come true. To think we started as just a group of friends, hanging in the garage and having a few (ok more than a 'few) beers, to finishing what seemed like a forever build, blows my mind. I can never express through words, or thank you all enough for your time, your skills, your ideas and most of all your friendships. And to my wife, Alec, thank you for the time, the money and ALL the dinners that made building my dream 'Floatin' possible.

Previous Rides

I've owned several vehicles over the years, including a '94 Toyota Supra, a 93' Olds Cutlass hopper and a 96' Chevy with a 23 inch lift kit.

Engine Details

Make

Chevy 350 1993

Cylinders

Displacement

355

Engine Mods

Factory engine was bored to a 355 cubic inch, including a steel crank, full comp roller drive train, upgraded throttle body, ceramic coated headers and a performance ECM chip.

Engine Add Ons

Factory rebuilt

Chrome or polish

Chrome and polish

Driveline Details

Clutch flywheel

None

Torque Converter

2200 stall

Transfer Case

None

Axle

Powder Coasted housing/ custom 6 lug axle shafts.

Gears

311

Builder Shop

Dan's Driveline

Chassis Details

Chassis

Factory powder coated chassis

Mods to Frame

Custom triangle rear frame notch, build to hold glass panels. Front notched for tie rods and bag clearance purposes.

Frame Builder

Richie Jones and Joe Lamatrice and myself

Drop or lift inches

Lays frame

Front Shocks

KYB

Rear Shocks

KYB

Spindles

Belltech

Springs

Slam Specialty Air Springs

Four Link

Converted to KP Components 6 link cantilever kit

Compressor Info

Dual Viair's

Valve Info

8 xtreme 350 PSI fast valves

Airbag Info

Slam Specialty all around

Other Mods

Entire air management system including tanks, valves and airlines reloacted to under the truck in order to give the bed a clean look.

Chrome, Paint, or Polish

Rear KP kit is fully chromed.

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type

Concept One CS-6 painted and pinstriped to match

Rear Wheel Type

Concept One CS-6 painted and pinstriped to match

Front Wheel Size

22 x 9 1/2

Rear Wheel Size

22 x 9 1/2

Front Tire Size

255/30/R22

Rear Tire Size

255/30/R22

Paint Details

Color

Brown Metallic with Gold Flake and Cream

Paint Type

Metal Lux

Graphics Description

Body line graphic, ending in a swoop.

Painted By

Richard Jones and Brien Glenn

Graphics By

Richard Jones and Brien Glenn

Body Details

Channeled

N/A

Body Drop

N/A

Hood

Factory hood, completely shaved underneath

Grille

2 Piece billet grill, powder coated black.

Bumpers

Front- Painted to match with billet grill inserts.

Wing

N/A

Addon Accessories

N/A

Body Mods

Raised and sectioned rear OE wheel wells. Modified to accommodate the 3/4 Star Fire glass panels which are bolted to a triangle style notch in the bed of the truck. This piece features the Unforgiven Mini Truck Club logo and is lit up by LED strip lights.

Body Mods by

Jason and Frank Scialabba- Shaving and Body Work, Richard Jones- Fabrication, bodywork and glass work, Joe Lamatrice- Fabrication, Steve Henderson- Body work, Brien Glenn- Body Work, Marcus Brandt-Body work

Interior Details

Dashboard

Wrapped in cream leather with suede inserts

Gauges

Factory

Steering Wheel

Black Powder Coated Billet

Console

Custom built by Corey Lewis wrapped in cream leather with tan suede top.

Head Unit

Pioneer double din

Amps

3- Orion HCCA competition series

Speakers

4- Boston Acoustic 10in woofers, 2- 6.5in Boston door speakers, 2- 4in Boston dash speakers

Video System

N/A

Stereo Installed by

Myself- Kevin Manis

Shifter

Black Powder Coated Billet

Seats

Cut down 89' Blazer seats wrapped in cream leather with tan suede insert's

Tint Percent

No tint. All OE clear glass

Trunk or Bed

Rhino line color matched to cream.

Upholstery Description

All panels wrapped in cream leather or tan suede, custom one off brown carpet. All stitching is triple stitch and headliner, speaker box and console all custom designed.

Upholstery Description

Window switches relocated into the center console.

Upholstery By

All interior except doors was done by Jr at Jrs Upholstry. The doors were wrapped by Discount Upholstery.

“Floatin”

1993 Chevy C1500 Owned by: Kevin Manis

Photos by: Cheri Delgadillo

In the world of automotive craftsmanship, there are stories that captivate the heart and imagination. This month, we bring you an enchanting narrative of creativity, dedication, and family pride. Introducing “Floatin,” a 1993 Chevy C1500 that defies expectations and stands as a testament to the art of customization.

Meet Kevin Manis, the visionary behind “Floatin.” As you delve into his journey, you’ll discover that this creation is not merely a truck; it’s a canvas of dreams. The name “Floatin” resonates with the paint scheme that mirrors the inviting hues of a Root Beer Float – a visual treat that captures attention and imagination.

Bought for a mere $500.00, the 1993 Chevrolet C1500 served as the foundation for Kevin’s masterpiece. However, the path from an ordinary truck to the extraordinary “Floatin” was marked by a journey of dedication, craftsmanship, and boundless creativity.

“Floatin” was conceived with a unique purpose – to build a source of pride for Kevin’s family. As he embarked on this journey, he realized that the process of creation itself became a bonding experience, culminating in a vehicle that would forever carry their shared memories.

Eight years in the making, “Floatin” is a labor of love that reflects Kevin’s journey through a passion that spans over three decades. From building his first engine at 13 to the culmination of “Floatin,” every moment shaped his skills, his creativity, and his dedication to perfection.

As “Floatin” proudly rolls on the streets, Kevin’s plans remain open-ended. The paint scheme marked the culmination of the build, but the possibility of introducing more accents to the engine remains tantalizingly on the horizon.

When Kevin acquired the truck, it bore the hallmarks of the 90’s theme – white paint with pink and purple graphics, OE interior, and a static drop. The transformation that followed turned it into the masterpiece we know today.

In a journey that began with friends in a garage, the list of contributors is extensive. Each person played a role in transforming Kevin’s vision into reality. Special gratitude extends to DS18, Reaper Off-road, True Spike Lug Nuts, and Papa Car Audio. Friends, family, and especially Kevin’s wife, Alec, contributed to the realization of “Floatin.”

Kevin’s automotive journey boasts an array of vehicles, including a ’94 Toyota Supra, a ’93 Olds Cutlass hopper, and a ’96 Chevy with a remarkable 23-inch lift kit.

Beneath the hood lies a Chevy 350 engine from 1993, transformed into a 355 cubic-inch powerhouse. The engine is equipped with a steel crank, full comp roller drive train, upgraded throttle body, ceramic-coated headers, and a performance ECM chip.

The driveline speaks of performance with a 2200 stall torque converter and custom 6-lug axle shafts, all maintained by Dan’s Driveline.

Kevin’s touch is evident in the factory powder-coated chassis, with custom modifications to frame and suspension. The meticulously designed air management system adds functionality while retaining the truck’s clean appearance.

Concept One CS-6 wheels, 22 x 9.5, blend seamlessly with the stunning Brown Metallic paint adorned with Gold Flake and Cream hues. Body line graphics complement the color scheme, while pinstriping adds finesse.

The body stands transformed with custom sections, OE wheel well modifications, and glass panels held within a triangle-style bed notch. Expert craftsmanship by Jason, Frank, Richard, Joe, Steve, Brien, and Marcus brings these elements to life.

Inside, a harmonious blend of cream leather and tan suede wraps the dashboard, steering wheel, console, and seats. The entertainment system, wrapped in Pioneer technology and Orion HCCA competition series amps, immerses passengers in a sonic symphony.

As “Floatin” graces the streets, it invites us to witness a fusion of dedication, creativity, and family pride. Kevin Manis’ masterpiece is more than just a truck; it’s an embodiment of dreams brought to life, a testament to the enduring power of artistic vision and craftsmanship.