SEMA 2019: 1936 Chevy Rat Rod Packs a Wicked Twin Turbo Setup
Antique Chevy truck has an LS engine, an intercooler for a tailgate and lots of plumbing.
The 1936 Chevy pickup shown here is a relative rarity at the SEMA Show. Many of the vehicles on display are newer models, designed to showcase a product. This antique was on display to show off the wheels, but the rollers were likely the last thing that most spectators noticed.
Like most rat rods, this classic Chevy pickup is unusual, but it is unusual in a good way. Also, the more you look at it, the more unusual it becomes, but that is what makes it so damn cool.
1936 Chevy Rat Rod
The 1936 Chevy pickup shown here is like many other “rat rods” cruising the streets. It has clearly been cut apart and pieced together. The factory body parts retained are bare metal with exposed sanding marks. There is no hood, it sits dramatically lower than when stock and it rides on modern wheels.
On the inside, this 1936 Chevy has floor mats that are made of IronClad safety vests, seat upholstery that is made of their gloves and matching bright orange paint. There is also a brightly polished charge pipe running along the floor that some people might not even notice.
However, this antique Chevy isn’t quite a “ratty” as some similar trucks. The truck is underpinned by a custom tube chassis that has been painted bright orange. This is key for the slammed stance while also providing a splash of color, but the unique chassis plays a bigger role. It helps posture the bed-mounted twin turbo setup. That is what elevates this old school pickup above the average rat rod.
Insane Boosted LS Setup
We don’t have any details on the engine of this 1936 Chevy, but it is powered by some variety of LS engine. Under the hood, it looks like a pretty routine LS build, but that changes when you walk to the rear of the truck.
Amidst the bright orange bars that make up this truck’s rear suspension setup is a system of polished tubes. The exhaust gases from the engine travel under the cab, coming up through two of the chassis tubes where it hits the turbochargers. The turbochargers are mounted directly to the chassis. Long pipes run to the rear of the vehicle where there is a huge intercooler positioned as a tailgate.
That’s right, the entire tailgate is a massive intercooler. The cooled, compressed air is channeled back up the middle, through the cab and to the engine. Take a close look at the pictures that we have included of the bed area and follow the routing of the pipes. It really is a work of art.
We don’t know what kind of power this setup makes, but that really doesn’t matter. This twin turbo setup is one of the coolest layouts we have seen. It made this classic Chevy one of the slickest old school vehicles at the 2019 SEMA Show.
Photos: Patrick Rall for ChevroletForum
