mockup of flor fabrication in a vintage chevy step Van

Most of the original cab floor had rotted away, so new floors were fabricated from 3/16-inch thick diamond plate steel sheet to duplicate the Chevy’s original floor. Here is the cardboard template for the step and passenger side floor…

When we introduced you to Top Gear on History co-host Rutledge Wood and his latest project, a 1949 Chevy Kurbmaster step van, we promised to bring you more updates on the world’s coolest motorized aluminum box.

Well, the build is done, and Rutledge has done his Power Tour gig (you can read his blog from the Hot Rod Tour on Hot Rod’s website. And as promised, we have more build highlights to share with you, courtesy of van creator American Resto Mods.

But that’s not all we have for you. Summit Racing has created Rutledge Wood Van Parts Combos for those who might be inclined to build their own version of the Chevy step van. And lest you think there isn’t anyone else, er, open-minded enough to build one, we have it on good authority that the head of Summit Racing’s Motorsports department has recently acquired a 1962 Olson Kurbside Dodge P400 dually van to hot rod.

If you want to see more of what American Resto Mods did to create the Rutledge Wood Van, head over to the American Resto Mods websiteand browse their photo gallery. Be warned—there are roughly eight zillion photos to go through, so budget your time accordingly.

Bread truck fever—catch it!

Parts List

Chevrolet Performance 525 HP LS3 crate engine and engine controller kit
Performance Automatic Street Smart 4L80E transmission kit
Summit Racing headers
Be Cool Power Cooling Module
ididit steering column and Touch-n-Go keyless ignition system
• Energy Suspension Hyperflex bushing kit, sway bar bushings, and motor/transmission mounts
Vintage Air climate control system
American Autowire wiring harness
Classic Instruments Bomber Series gauges and bezels
Yokohama Parada Spec-X tires
EBC brake rotors and Power Stop brake pads

Author: Alan Rebescher

Editor, author, PR man—Alan Rebescher has done it all in a 37 year career in the high performance industry. He has written and photographed many feature stories and tech articles for Summit Racing and various magazines including Hot Rod, Car Craft, and Popular Hot Rodding, and edited Summit Racing’s Street & Strip magazine in the 1990s. His garage is currently occupied by a a 1996 Mustang GT ragtop.