OleBlue: A Tribute to Friendship and Craftsmanship

Patina Paradise Redefined

Jay Church, a name well-known in the automotive industry, has graced the pages of numerous magazines, which have included his two cover trucks in Street Trucks magazine, his cars, and even multiple big-wheel bagger builds over the years. Life gets in the way, as we all know, and after stepping away from the truck scene for several years—during which time he only owned a bagged 1965 Cadillac—Jay decided it was time to re-enter the truck world. With the Negative Camber 30th anniversary show and Slamboree less than a year away, Jay knew he had to make a stylish return. But as of September 2021, he didn’t have a truck.

Tragedy struck when Jay’s good friend, Leo Renaud, passed away. Leo left Jay a motorcycle, which Jay sold to another friend, Phil Snow. This sale gave him the funds needed to start a project that would become known as OleBlue. Jay found the truck in South Florida, freshly LS-swapped by Armageddon Speed Shop in Stuart—a solid starting point.

Jay quickly began gathering parts and booked an appointment with Ryan Spehn at Pro Fab in Florida to get the truck on the ground. His next call was to his Negative Camber brother Jayson Pang at CAMods, who supplied him with a GSI front crossmember section to get the C10 as low as possible. To control the truck’s air management, Jay turned to Kevin Grunion at Grunion Fabrication, who provided all the necessary air-ride components. Jay also reached out to Switch Suspension for new hood hinges and a seamless air tank to accommodate the truck’s lowered stance.

With the truck now laying flat and the GSI frontend installed, Ryan at Pro Fab worked his magic, creating a full custom back section for the truck. Once the altitude adjustment was complete, Jay contacted Odis at Gowen Mountain Speed Shop for custom wheel tubs and core support covers. After test fitting, these parts were sent to Jeff Crumpler at Precision Powdercoating, where they were coated in black and then painted Tropical Glitz Luscious Toffee by Phil Snow. The finishing touch was added by Mikey Ayers, who pinstriped the pieces, along with highlighting the Chevrolet logo on the grille and tailgate, and adding a striking design on the hood.

The engine covers for the LS motor were handcrafted by Killa Kustoms Rod Shop,  painted   Tropical Glitz Luscious Toffee   by Phil Snow, and pinstriped   by Mikey Ayers once again.

The engine covers for the LS motor were handcrafted by Killa Kustoms Rod Shop, painted Tropical Glitz Luscious Toffee by Phil Snow, and pinstriped by Mikey Ayers once again. With the engine bay complete, the truck was brought back to Phil Snow, who painted the roof, dash, door panels, kick panels, and wheels in the same Luscious Toffee color. Jeff Crumpler of Precision Powdercoating had his hands in the process again as he sandblasted several components to prepare them for paint, and Phil Snow executed the job flawlessly.

With the paint complete, the truck moved on to Hank Upholstery, where Jeff Burroughs and Robbie Collins began work on the interior. The seat was completely remade using Relicate Amber Glow leather, ensuring the highest quality. The diamond theme carries  throughout the truck, from the engine covers to the interior. Robbie went above and beyond, incorporating the Coach Side by Side shotgun that Jay’s close friend Leo Renaud had bought him for his 35th birthday into the backseat design. Relicate Honey Brown carpet was used to cover the flooring, with the edges wrapped in leather.

Robbie went above and beyond,  incorporating the Coach Side by Side shotgun that Jay’s close friend Leo Renaud had bought him  for his 35th birthday into the backseat design.

With the interior done, it was time to piece the stereo system together. Jay knew exactly who to call: Bill Bethauser—fellow Negative Camber member and owner of Explicit Customs in Melbourne, Florida. The Explicit crew equipped the truck with Alpine Type-R 6.5-inch speakers in custom-painted A2 Metal Fab kick panels and Alpine Type-R 6×9 speakers in custom enclosures made by Robbie Collins. A JL Audio 100 x 4 amplifier powers the speakers that are all controlled by a JL Bluetooth modulator, which allows Jay to manage the system through his phone.

With only nine days left before Jay and his Negative Camber crew were set to leave for Slamboree 2022, the truck was nearly complete, but the bed floor was still unfinished. Enter Gavin Broome from Modern Classics in Melbourne, Florida. Gavin and his crew selected custom wood from Brevard Hardwood—no off-the-shelf kit would do. They crafted a beautiful bed using red oak and stainless strips, finishing the truck just in time for Slamboree. After the show, Gavin’s crew installed a full Wilwood brake kit, giving the truck the stopping power it needed.

Jay would like to thank his wife, Lisa Church, for her unwavering support throughout this project.

Photo Credit: John Jackson