Built With Speedway Motors: Dan's 1935 Maple Leaf
We love showcasing our customers' cars. Even better when they can tell the story in their own words. This is Dan's '35 Maple Leaf. What's that, you ask? Well, it's a Canadian GMC that's been part of Dan's family for a long time...
"Back in my teens in the mid to late 70’s I went to my uncles farm in southern Albert, a which they had purchased from his parents, and saw the 1935 MapleLeaf 1 1/2 ton grain truck sitting in the yard close to the homestead. Well, I fell in love with that truck instantly. Numerous visits later, my love just grew and grew for this truck, but it was destined for the local dump, so the family was just filling the severely weathered grain box up with garbage. I talked with my parents and my closest aunt and uncle who had their own farm closer to where I lived about that truck constantly, and how much I would like to buy it from my grandparents if I could. Both my aunt, uncle, and my parents told me that all you have to do is ask. So, I asked my grandparents and they both said yes.
After a failed attempt at picking this truck up, I asked my brother in law, who drove a truck, if he had any trips to southern Alberta coming up. In 1983, I took a trip with him and we brought back the Maple Leaf to Edmonton where I lived. I rented a spot in my brother in laws shop to work on it, and that’s where the start of my dreams began to come together.
My grandparents bought the truck brand new in 1935. So my mom, who was born in ’34, had a couple pics taken standing on the front fender. There’s also one when she was about 6, holding a cat with a sibling sitting on the running board of the truck.
The truck cab has been chopped 5”, sectioned 3”, doors have been extended 3” and suicided, with hidden hinges and remote openers for that smooth look. A new sunroof for a Chrysler 300 was installed along with power windows. Custom interior upper console inside holds the rearview mirror complete with temp, direction, and garage door opener, and the Dakota Digitals air ride display. The lower console houses the Kenwood deck with navigation, Bluetooth, CarPlay, etc, as well as a custom switch panel, Dakota Digital Gear Indicator and custom USB ports, Vintage Air air conditioning controls, Lokar shifter, and Vintage Air a/c vents. A stainless steel steering column from Flaming River along with aluminum signal, hazard levers. The dash houses a custom 6 gauge cluster from Classic Instruments. The truck rides on Foose Legend Chrome wheels with Falken 17” and 20” tires. Fully independent suspension on a new custom made chassis with an air ride suspension on all four corners with Dakota Digital ride height controllers for a self levelling system. The motor is a crate LS2 engine along with a 4L65E automatic transmission. The March Performance aluminum serpentine system keeps things running smoothly as well as a custom aluminum radiator from Griffin Thermal Products.
The interior seating is from a 2013 Mustang GT with both being powered and heated. The rear seat is modified to three with all 5 seats having shoulder seat belts except for middle rear which is a lap belt. Interior is yet to be finished but black leather and vinyl to match seating will be used.
A custom box was built with an aluminum cover and the box tilts with synchronized liners actuators and a trailer hitch hides behind a hinged license plate mount in the rolled pan complete with backup camera. The box was tilted in memory of my father who helped his future in laws install a hydraulic hand pump to tilt the grain box. It also allows easy access to the custom fuel tank and pump, emergency brakes and the inboard disc brakes. The rolled pan also houses LED slotted taillights and slotted led backup lights. Front lights are stainless buckets with LED lights and turn signals are incorporated within the headlight lens. The paint is a custom blend from Kevin at Carlson’s who did many custom blends until we found the right one. Paint was handled by Tim Fedoruk out at Sunnybrook, AB. Frame, suspension, and many brackets are all custom powder coated thanks to Kelly at Tiger Drylac.
Many thanks to many people including the staff at Speedway Motors!"
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