1972 Longhorn/Camper Special Project "Adrenalin Fix"

[XADom13]

Hey to everyone! I am new to the group and finally putting my build out there. It is in the beginning, but ticking everything I can off the list. Sorry for the cut and paste, but this is the easiest way to describe my project. I hope you dig it. I love working on this truck!

“Adrenaline Fix”
1972 Chevrolet C-20 Longhorn/Camper Special
Brought to you by Triumph-Foundation and eXtreme Abilities

For years now, Domonic Corradin, eXtreme Abilities (www.extremeabilities.com) owner and operator has had a dream and desire to restore his beloved 1972 Chevy C-20 Camper Special. Although Domonic is an extreme sports junkie, tremendous mentor to so many, great individual with extraordinary abilities, and very giving; he is a paraplegic with very limited income. He certainly gives more for free then he receives in any form of compensation for all he does to help others. Now is the time that those of us at the Triumph-Foundation (www.triumph-foundation.org) and many others want to pay-it-forward and help him get his truck restored. Let’s help Domonic be able to continue helping others, he needs his “Adrenaline Fix”..
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From Domonic Corradin:

I grew up in a small town in western Michigan, on a 10-acre “hobby farm”. As a young kid, I spent my days feeding the horses and goats, collecting the eggs from the chicken coop, and stacking firewood for the wood stove. When I was done with my chores and school, I played any and every sport I could get my grubby, little fingers on: from baseball, track, wrestling, basketball and then soccer became my passion. I grew up around sports and later in life became identified as an extreme athlete.

My sophomore year in high school during my off-season of soccer, I was involved in a traumatic car crash coming home from a training session. I lost control of my car on an icy curve, hurling my car into a tree and crushing my spine upon impact. I spent five days in intensive care including reconstructive surgery to my back. Then, I spent another six weeks in a rehabilitation hospital; to learn how to now live life from a wheelchair. My soccer career looked to be done and life was going to be a whole different game from now on.

Fortunately, I was visited in the hospital by 2 disabled mentors, both of whom were near the same age as me. Both were going to school and living life independently even though they were disabled like me. This, coupled with my recreational therapist being adamant about bringing me to practices and tournaments of all different wheelchair sports, gave me hope and desire to realize, I could still have the rush of competing, and I could return to the environment I loved so much.

Once I was discharged from the hospital, I began a rigorous physical therapy regiment and pushed my body harder than ever before. I had wheelchair racing in my sights and I was going to be a competitor once again. I entered my first race less than six months after my injury date, and continued racing for two years before switching to basketball during my senior year. I played one season of junior ball before going to college in Arizona and being recruited by the Phoenix Suns Wheelchair Basketball Team. I had found my home once again, just on a different type of “playing field”.

With my focus concentrating on my next game or race, I trained to be faster, stronger, and all the while making, unbeknownst to me, daily life even easier. When I was training for a 25K race transfers out of my bed and rolling up a hill in my everyday chair were that much less of as challenge. My health was better and I spent a lot less time in the hospital or even being sick, for that matter. People I’d met during my competitions became the best of friends and mentors. I was back!

Very early on in my new life, I was asked to visit other kids in the hospitals whom now faced the same daunting realization I did not all that long ago. I didn’t think I had it all figured out yet myself but, I was determined to help — however I could. I knew the difference it made to me when someone showed me that life was not over just yet, and I wanted to give that same spark to anyone and everyone. It was time for me to spread my knowledge and passion. I was going to be the one to pay-it-forward.

After years of playing every wheelchair sport at my grasp, I moved to the less orthodox and more extreme sports. I left the courts and started really pushing the limits of my mind and body, pushing past my fears in the air and sea. I began scuba diving and ski diving with groups across the country, and even climbed a rock wall here and there. I was always trying to better myself in any and all ways. Additionally, I wanted to find new ways to impart this new found joy onto others I’d meet along the way.

Fast forward a few years and a lifetime of experiences to when I meet the powers that be at the Triumph-Foundation. Right away I knew, this was going to be the organization I wanted to help out and excel by bringing extreme abilities to individuals (including myself) with disabilities --extreme sports, especially hand cycling.

For the last year now, I have organized the handcycling program and events for the Triumph-Foundation, based in Canyon Country, CA. I coordinate and run multiple monthly ride clinics; introducing the sport of handcycling for individuals with spinal cord injuries. I also work with various other organizations such as: MotivateME, Think First Injury Prevention, Alpha Resource Center, Project Walk and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital lecturing at numerous schools, events, and attend support groups to provide peer support, and mentoring to individuals with SCI (spinal cord injuries).
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The soon-to-be resurrected old work horse needs to be put back in front of the plow once again, so to speak. In 1972 this truck started its life as a hauler and spent many a day with its extra-long bed filled with all manner of materials or carrying the family camper to destinations all over. Now, over 40 years later, it is getting put back on the road and back to doing what it does best. This time around it will be hauling bikes, skis, kayaks, and all sorts of outdoor gear all over the western United States to events promoting activity and adaptive adventures for people with disabilities. I will be taking the necessary knowledge, experience, organization (Triumph-Foundation), and equipment to those in need.

Adrenaline Fix will play an integral part as a presentation piece, hauling equipment to events all over the country-side. This particular model of truck was sought out for its size and classic style. I have always loved this era of Chevrolet trucks for their simple and strong lines and timeless style. The extra-long bed was specifically chosen to fit the long stature of the modern handcycle safely and securely inside the bed along with all the necessary tools and gear (canopies, tables, etc).

Adrenaline Fix is getting the thoroughbred treatment, with an upgraded modern driveline, front to back, and all the modern power/convenience options in the interior. As for the body, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” applies, keeping its work truck style with “steelie” wheels, towing mirrors, and 1-ton cab lights. All of the previous mistreatment of the body panels will be massaged out and a fresh coat of paint laid down.

As the gas prices hover around $4.00/gallon with no real relief in sight, the power plant of choice is a late model, fuel-injected 5.3L V8 mated to a strong 4L60E automatic transmission spinning the drive shaft and set of highway gears inside the rear end. All in the effort to make everything run as efficiently as possible over the miles and miles of freeway.

The suspension is getting the full custom upgrade of progressive-rate coils in the front and a parallel 4-link and coil-overs in the rear. Along with larger, beefier sway bars in the front and rear. In order to tame the beast, the brakes are getting converted to disc all the way around with high-clamping calipers on each corner and a power-assist.

End Result – best fuel economy, best street performance and handling, drivability, best ride quality, good towing

Style/Image – form follows function, old style with new touches, and a work truck with modern conveniences

Body:
• rear bumper smoothed and powder-coated black with license plate and tow hitch below
• front bumper smoothed and powder-coated black with bumper guards and rubber inserts
• stainless steel button bolts in bumpers (front and rear)
• blue and white paint/wrap with logos on bed sides and gears graphic
• tinted windows- side and rear
• dually cab roof lights – amber lens, LED
• square mirrors with turn signal LEDs, powder-coated black
• blue bow tie on waffle grill (stock, painted black and gray)
• clear park lamps in bumper
• HID headlights – LED turn signals in lenses
• no side moldings
• tailgate handle relocated inside tailgate
• locking gas cap in original location on cab
• hidden exhaust – no visible tail pipes
• shaved antenna – satellite radio antenna on cab
• Keep stock wing windows, tinted
• bed-liner spray on inner bed sides and fender tubs
• LED taillights- red lenses and clear reverse lenses
• '68 style split side markers – amber and red LEDs
• backup camera and proximity sensors in rear bumper
• white LED lighting under the bed rails
• Air horns under body, hidden
• Cargo lamp and 3rd brake light – LED
• Black powder-coated door handles, lock mechanism, mirrors, headlight bezels

Wheels and Tires:
• no low profile tires
• 17” or 18” wheels – alloy for weight savings
• brushed aluminum or dark gray painted/powder-coated rims
• body paint pinstripe on rim lip
• 8-Lug rims
• Kenda Kaiser tires
• Look of work-style truck steel wheels

Suspension/Brakes:
• large sway bars – front and rear
• 4-link rear – parallel, outside of frame rails or trailing arms
• 2” drop spindles
• c-notch in rear frame – for clearance, stock bed floor height, no cut outs for frame
• tubular control arms – upper and lower
• poly bushings – sway bar, control arms, body mounts
• high performance brake calipers – front (upgrade) and rear (conversion)
• braided stainless steel brake lines
• coil-over shocks or coils in rear
• progressive rate coils in front control arms
• high performance gas/hydraulic shocks
• hydro boost setup

Interior:
• weatherproof bucket seats with fold up center console - with Supracor cushion material
• power windows
• power locks
• tablet dock in dash
• 1 10” sub-woofer behind seat
• black and gray tones with blue stitching and accents
• tweeters in upper door panels
• mid-range speakers in lower door panels
• power window and lock switches in door panels - billet
• amp rack/sub box behind seat – with rear speakers
• courtesy lights (LED), floor, cab, and under dash
• storage drawers under seat
• brushed aluminum door panels with black/grey fabric – arm rests
• sound deadening material lining cab
• heat shield on cab floor and firewall
• billet steering wheel – black leather hand ring
• billet tilt steering column – column shifter, maybe paddle shifter
• billet gas and brake pedal

Engine/ Drive Line:
• gray tones for parts
• black stainless braided lines – fuel, coolant, etc.
• small block LS v8 – 5.3L late model fuel injection, aluminum block and heads
• electric cooling fans
• aluminum radiator
• all electrical wiring will be hidden
• 4l60e transmission with shift kit and cooler - aluminum case
• welded, raw valve covers - aluminum
• gas tank under bed inside frame rail - aluminum
• shorty headers
• stainless dual exhaust
• billet pulley and accessory drive

Preliminary list of events that vehicle will be at:
• Monthly handcycle clinics in cities around Los Angeles area – monthly 2014
• Triumph Foundation Sport Clinic Day – May 2014
• Abilities Expo Los Angeles – March 2015
• Abilities Expo San Jose – Nov. 2014
• SEMA Show Las Vegas – Nov. 2014
• Indianapolis 500 – May 2014
• Triumph Foundation Casino Night – August 2014
• Others TBD..

Additionally; we will provide you with the following:
• Events schedule of Domonic’s journeys worldwide.
• All sponsor will be included in any press release related to Adrenaline Fix—editors have final say as to what is included in any press release.
• The build will be on extremeabilities.com with video and photos on YouTube, Vimeo, Triumph-Foundation’s website, etc.
• Sponsor’s vinyl logos along body panels and back window.
• Sponsor’s names and logos on Adrenaline Fix’s story board.
• Sponsors mentioned during any video done during build and upon completion.
• Sponsor’s graphics will be displayed during Domonic’s events.

Sponsorship is not all about free parts and we know that. The cost of building any restoration can be exorbitant but, this is not what Domonic nor Triumph-Foundation is asking for. We need any of your products you’d like to see on the Adrenaline Fix build as part of Domonic’s “wish list”.

"I, Will Matay am a classic car restoration expert, one of my first builds was “68 Camaro Redemption” (

You Tube

) and I am the Triumph Foundation Development Manager. I have personally restored well over 25 different classic cars in the past ten years. I have been a paraplegic since May of 2002. I know how to build the truck with Domonic and others helping us. We will get it done right the first time. We need your help, as well."

We (Triumph-Foundation) are a 501c3 Non-Profit and any donations in the form of moneys, merchandise, parts, or services will be provided with a receipt for stated value.

Additionally; we have a complete sponsorship package; which lists all of the exposure we will get for your company’s sponsorship — just contact us and we will send it to you.

Triumph Foundation
17186 Hickory Ridge Court
Santa Clarita, CA 91387
(661) 803-3700
Info@Triumph-Foundation.com
www.Triumph-Foundation.org

Will Matay – Triumph Foundation Development Coordinator
admclassics@sbcglobal.net
818-416-9488

Domonic Corradin - Triumph-Foundation Handcycling Coordinator
domonic@extremeabilities.com
805-698-8283 - mobile
eXtreme Abilities (Owner) www.extremeabilities.com/