Lowrider 1988 Chevy 1500 is a Flawless Orange and Crème Show Truck
Custom interior, airbag suspension and LS1 power make this Chevy the perfect show truck.
While flipping through the Chevrolet products destined for the block at the Mecum Kissimmee auction in January, we came across this stunning 1988 Chevy half-ton truck. It has been completely modified inside, outside, under the hood and under the body, looking like a flawless show truck and a sweet street cruiser with LS1 power. While not everyone loves the lowrider look, this ‘80s Chevy is super-clean in every way, allowing the auction crowd a shot at one of the nicest square-body trucks we have seen.
Spotless Exterior
On the outside, this 1988 Chevy 1500 pickup is probably nicer than it was on the day that it first rolled off of the assembly line. The door handles, door locks and tailgate handle have all been shaved, a hood with a slightly elevated cowl has replaced the stock unit, a rollpan replaces the stock rear bumper and a stainless horizontal-bar grille replaces the stock look.
Other than that, the body of this 1988 Chevy pickup has not been altered, but the PPG Candy Orange Metallic lower section coupled with the Crème upper looks incredible. When you add in the unique wood-lined bed base that has been raised to tuck away the components of the airbag suspension system, there really isn’t much more that you could ask for in an ‘80s Chevy show truck.
We don’t love the particular 22-inch wheels that were chosen, but that is easy enough to change and in the long run, they do work with the overall look of this old Chevrolet half-ton.
Custom Cabin
While the exterior of this 1988 Chevy 1500 has not been heavily modified, the interior is completely custom. Leather-wrapped bucket seats are finished in colors to match the two-tone exterior. The door panels and custom center console are wrapped in matching crème leather and the custom dash is painted the same metallic orange as the lower portion of the exterior, with that orange interior flowing along the middle of the center console.
The custom dash has a cool wrap-around design with a minimal number of gauges and no radio, so the Kicker audio system must be powered by a head unit that is tucked into the sexy center console.
Under the Body
As you might expect, this 1988 Chevy is slammed to the ground by means of an airbag suspension system that is completely enclosed under the raised bed base. The system is controlled by a panel that is tucked into the center console and in addition to the airbags, this truck features a custom four-link rear suspension setup, tubular front control arms and disc brakes behind all four of the big, chrome wheels.
What you don’t expect is the LS1 under the hood. There is no mention of upgrades, but even if it is a stock LS1, it would make this truck much quicker than it was with any of the original engine options. That power is sent to the rear wheels by means of a 4L60 automatic transmission, likely making this truck a ton of fun to drive.
