'68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Well, after a couple of years of collecting parts, developing a plan, changing the plan, and changing the plan again...I guess its time that I start a build thread. Bear with me, it will not be a super fast build, super high budget, or anything cutting edge, but I do think it will be FUN! The name "Vulgar Display of Power" has many meanings, but it is basically a reference to a traffic ticket I once received and the inherent "tire spinning" nature of a big block equipped truck, on normal street tires.

The story begins with me walking the aisles at Pate Swap Meet 2010 looking for anything interesting. I drove 300 miles with a load of parts and a Honda XR250 to sell, and ended up making a deal to trade the dirt bike for this truck...with a guy who lives 30 miles from me! This is what it looked like when I first saw it.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/untitled.jpg

Here is the rendering that got my wheels turning many years ago (late 80s?) from Classic Trucks magazine, Radical Renderings. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have a 67-68 short stepper, at some point in my life!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...8rendering.jpg

My build plan has evolved over time from a simple, lowered driver to the current "COPO Concept", which I am basing around a 1967 427BB. It will be static dropped 4.5/6, and I will have multiple sets of tires and wheels to change the look up from time to time. Like everything I have ever built or owned, it will be driven!!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

After getting it home and spending several months trying to decide how far to take the build, a good friend and I blew it apart to begin doing the necessary rust repair.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1.../teardown3.jpg

We built some cab dollies, and went to work.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ject/rust5.jpg

At the same time we cleaned and painted the frame to begin the suspension, brakes, etc...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ramepaint6.jpg

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

The main engine parts came from a couple of my good friend's BB parts stashes, and the rest are all new. Nothing radical, just a 10.5:1, closed chamber head, hydraulic flat tappet 427 big block. It is assembled and we should get to hear it roar in the next week or two.


http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psb1f7b23c.jpg


http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psb90ed1d6.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ps98c2fd81.jpg

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

One of the wheel ideas...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ps9321487b.jpg

And the Craigslist find that made it possible...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ps22146755.jpg

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Good looking start

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Can't wait to see how it turns out. I'll follow along
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

I like the truck, the plans and the name...."Vulgar Display of Power"..... \m/

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

So your a pantera fan huh?! :metal: right on!! And I love the idea! Keep the pics coming!
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Love the big block ....Sighning on for this one

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I have certainly been a Pantera fan for many years, but the truck name goes deeper than that. Before that album was even released, while in Daytona, FL during Bike Week, I was showing a buddy how to perform a "drag race style rolling burnout" on my Harley. I failed to notice the unmarked police car behind me and got a ticket for "Vulgar Display of Power". I had never heard of such a charge, but with that in mind, I think it fits this truck pretty well.

I need to get my Boyd Welding fuel tank mounted and plumbed completely, then I will have a complete rolling chassis. More pics when thats done.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psedb3a569.jpg

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Love it- I'd have framed the ticket!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Neat concept. I'm in for the build. Nice work

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

LOVE the wheel and hubcap combo!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Me too, I love the concept. Always liked the simple hot rod!
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Thanks guys. I expect to make some progress in the next month or so. I will post pics when there's more to show.
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Nice looking start. Haha thats crazy about the ticket. Ready for you to get this dude together and hear it in person!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Awesome project! If you EVER get ready to get rid of these '68 chrome caps, please let me know! My truck came with them, and its about the only I'm missing for it.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Thanks! It's funny about those chrome caps, I lucked up on them on Dallas Craigslist. I can't imagine that I will sell them, but if I do I will keep you in mind.
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Theirs nothing better than having a rolling chassis. I workes about 6 months to get that far. I am now at a stage where I can see the end.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Please tell me about your wheels they r too kool.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Tinkermc, The wheels shown above are just 15x8 factory style wheels w/factory '68 chrome c-10 hub caps. I have 15x7s for the front. Beyond these I have a set of truck rally wheels in the same sizes, and plans to get a set of billet 20s or 18/20s also. I like swapping wheels and tires to change the look of a vehicle occasionally.
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Looks good!
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Can't wait to see this, great idea
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Subscribed.. love the ole Big Blocks.
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Going to be sweet. Love the Big Block.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

love it, huge pantera fan myself and love the fact that got written on ur ticket. it was said above but i sure hope you framed that ticket and its hangin on the wall in the garage.

subscribed!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

I borrowed a buddy's Mac air chisel to take out a few frame rivets, and all I can say is "it sure helps to have a quality tool"!!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ps3674a6a3.jpg

Now I can get my Boyd fuel tank mounted and plumbed.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ps54dfa406.jpg
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

That tank looks great in there! Im going to run one like it also.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

It's a really high quality tank, and I like that a can drop an electric fuel pump in the tank when/if I convert to EFI.
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Very cool project! I'll hang with this one. What had been done to the chassis before you bought it? Looks like a notch and adjustable panhard rod in there.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

The previous owner had c-notched the frame, adjustable panhard bar, and a set of coil overs in the rear. His plans were a turbo sbc sleeper-drag truck. I decided to just go with a typical 4/6 drop for a more conventional look.

I'm working on the '63 to fix the ac right now, but when that's done I plan to get the cam broke in on a stand and then get engine and trans in the chassis on the '68. Then I will start on plumbing fuel lines and tranny lines...
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Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

I decided that I wanted to have my engine dyno'd so I took it to a local engine shop to have them tweak and tune it a bit. Its a fairly mild build. The basic stats are:

427 BBC bored .030 over
Closed Chamber factory heads, mild porting and big valves
10.5:1 compression
Comp 268XE cam
Performer RPM intake
770cfm Holley Street Avenger

The results were 490 hp and 556 Tq, all below 5500 rpm. I am very happy and think it will certainly be fun to drive! (Now I am really motivated to get this truck on the road!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Chassis or engine dyno?

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

I've got those same chrome caps. Took me forever to find them. How much did you pay for them if you don't mind me asking?

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

It was on an engine dyno.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

I got a really good deal on those hubcaps on Dallas Craigslist for $50. Just a fluke that I even found them!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Almost 500 at the crank! Respectable numbers for fairly mild. Nice work....

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Cool Build....I'm in.

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Sweet truck Bro!

Re: '68 COPO Concept - Vulgar Display of Power
 

Thanks Rob, I'm planning to get the engine and trans mounted in the frame over the next week. From there I will be getting close to mounting the cab, finishing up the driveshaft, fuel lines, etc...and then moving the party to the body shop.