A faded 1972 Chevrolet C10 that once looked better suited to farm duty than a show field has emerged from Powernation’s Music City Trucks shop with an entirely different personality. Nicknamed “Cream Puff,” the old pickup now combines custom bodywork, air suspension, a lavish interior, and enough supercharged LS power to embarrass plenty of modern performance cars.
The transformation started with a tired long-bed truck wearing dated paint, an aging cabin, and an old V8 that had already done its share of work. Powernation’s crew saw considerably more potential in the classic Chevy, eventually committing to a ground-up build that changed nearly every major part of the truck.
One of the biggest changes was converting the C10 from a long bed to the more desirable short-bed configuration by shortening the frame. From there, the team lowered the truck over an air-ride suspension setup, giving Cream Puff the kind of aggressive stance that immediately separates it from its working-truck origins.
Power was equally important, so the original engine made way for a 427-cubic-inch LS V8 fitted with a ProCharger supercharger and intercooler. When the finished truck finally reached the chassis dyno, that combination easily cleared the crew’s 600-wheel-horsepower target.
A 427 LS Delivers 682 Horsepower At The Wheels
Powernation used FiTech’s Ultimate LS system to manage the engine, recalibrating the setup after the addition of the ProCharger and larger fuel injectors. The system allowed the team to enter key parameters such as engine displacement, injector sizing, forced induction, gearing, and tire dimensions before firing the truck.
Once Cream Puff reached the chassis dyno, the crew was hoping to see at least 600 horsepower at the rear wheels. The truck responded with 682 horsepower and 537 lb-ft of torque on its first pull, comfortably exceeding that target without requiring an aggressive tune.
Rather than chase a larger number, the team decided to leave the calibration relatively conservative for street use and pump gas. Considering the C10 already delivers nearly 700 horsepower through the tires, there was little reason to trade additional safety margin for a more impressive dyno sheet.
Air Suspension Gives Cream Puff Its Signature Stance
The chassis received extensive attention to ensure the truck could handle its newfound output without sacrificing road manners. PorterBuild suspension components, including the rear link setup and control arms, were paired with an air-management system capable of maintaining the selected ride height as the truck moves.
During the first road test, the crew praised the setup for combining a smooth ride with predictable handling. The truck also received a substantial EBC brake package with a manual brake configuration, giving the driver direct pedal feedback and enough stopping capability to match the performance under the hood.
Deep-dish wheels and massive rear tires finish the stance, with 335-section rubber filling out the back of the truck. Those rear tires eventually received a rather enthusiastic break-in procedure, producing a burnout large enough to leave the roadway buried in tire smoke.
Pearl Paint And Custom Details Transform The Exterior
Cream Puff’s visual transformation is anchored by a yellow-and-white House of Kolor pearl finish that changes dramatically depending on the light. Outdoors, the pearl creates shades ranging from yellow and gold to hints of green, giving the C10 considerably more depth than a conventional solid-color paint job.
Sonax specialists helped finish the surface with wet sanding, compound, and polish before the remaining trim was installed. New brightwork and moldings from Brothers Trucks sharpened the classic C10 styling, while a finished wood bed floor added another upscale detail to the build.
The result retains enough recognizable Chevrolet character to avoid looking overworked. Its short-bed proportions, low ride height, wide wheels, pearl finish, and polished trim give Cream Puff a clean custom-truck appearance without hiding the shape that made this generation of C10 so popular.
A Custom Interior Completes The Transformation
Inside, Auto Customs reworked the original bench-seat concept using the factory frame, adding new contoured foam and extra bolstering to keep occupants planted when the supercharged V8 comes alive. CNC-stitched upholstery, suede inserts, matching door panels, a suede headliner, and yellow stitching carry the exterior theme into the cabin.
The truck also received power windows, integrated switches, new carpeting, speakers, and a Dakota Digital RTX gauge cluster. That instrumentation communicates with the FiTech engine-management system, reducing the need for additional sensors while offering customizable display colors and information through a companion app.
Cream Puff may have started life as an ordinary farm truck, yet Powernation’s finished C10 now has the performance and presentation of a serious street machine. With 682 horsepower at the wheels, air suspension, big brakes, a polished custom interior, and show-quality paint, this 1972 Chevy proves an old workhorse can have a very entertaining second career.