Feature: Mark Frisbie’s QA1-Equipped 1985 Chevy C10 Pickup
Mark Frisbie's 1985 Chevy C10 is not just another truck; it's a symbol of his life's journey and his deep-rooted passion for automotive performance. Purchased in 2008 for $2,300 during what he describes as a challenging period in his life, Mark’s C10 began its journey as a practical daily driver and workhorse, hauling reclaimed barn wood for his custom furniture business. After a collision left the truck totaled, Mark made the pivotal decision to rebuild it from the ground up, transforming it into the pro-touring masterpiece it is today.
“I bought this truck in 2008 as a daily driver for $2300. It soon turned into my work truck and spent many years hauling reclaimed barn wood,” Mark recalls. "I bought that truck when I was flat broke and everything in my world had been turned upside down. For a brief period of time, I actually lived out of that truck, sleeping in the camper-shell."
"After it was side-swiped on the interstate, I bought it back, straightened the frame, and began the slow process of building it into the pro-touring truck I’d always dreamed it would be. That truck and I have both come a really long way, and it will always remain a long bed and it will always be in the family," he says.
Frisbie is a definitive car-guy, having owned an assortment of vehicles, including a '69 GTO convertible, a '77 Firebird, '84 Z28 Camaro, a '77 K5 Blazer, an '83 Jeep CJ-7, '88 BMW 325is, '03 Mercury Marauder, a '72 Corvette, '71 El Camino, multiple late model Silverados, and this C10. He says, though, that he's always been a GM fan at heart, which is the source of so much fondness for this GM hauler.
SHOP GM SUSPENSION UPGRADES BY VEHICLE
"I've always kind of been a GM guy. I have always been into cars ... my earliest memory is of me sitting on the floor of a basement garage, playing with my dad's tools as he built a T-Bucket from scratch," Mark explains.
After buying the C10 back, Frisbie stripped it down to the frame and in the process of repairing the accident damage, completely rebuilt it and cleaned everything up, boxed and reinforced the frame, and added the QA1 suspension components, including a full rear torque arm setup. He re-wired and re-plumbed everything with new fuel lines and brake lines, dropped in a 6.0-liter and a 4L80 transmission, and built a custom transmission crossmember.
Mark daily-drove his pickup until 2017, but today, it's geared towards autocross and road course. Frisbie says, "I like to call it a pro-touring truck, because I like to drive it on events like Power Tour (an event he's long-hauled twice). It's not a daily anymore by any means, and it does get beat on on the weekends, but I'm not scared to hop in it and go on a 2,000 mile cruise."
While one might question Frisbie's choice to utilize a longer wheelbase, long-bed pickup for autocross, he simply wouldn't have it any other way. "I run this thing because I'm stubborn and because nobody else is doing it. The truck is always going to be slower than other trucks, just because of the length of the wheelbase. But man, I'll tell you what, we can get it up in there and be competitive."
THE HEART OF THE BUILD
Under the hood, Mark's C10 boasts a 6.0L LQ4 engine, bored with flattop pistons, TrickFlow heads, a custom grind cam, and a Trailblazer SS intake, all managed by a Holley Terminator X system. This robust setup ensures ample power and reliability, making it a formidable contender on the road or the track.
The transmission is a 4L80e with a Circle D torque converter, custom-built by Michael Bilbry, providing smooth and efficient power delivery. The rearend is fortified with an Auburn Gear 3.73 posi, ensuring optimal traction and performance.
QA1 COMPONENTS: THE BACKBONE OF PERFORMANCE
The real standout in Mark’s build is the suspension setup, which features an array of high-performance QA1 components. The front suspension includes QA1 coilovers and control arms, providing exceptional handling and stability. The rear suspension is equally impressive with QA1 torque arm system and coilovers, enhancing the truck's performance and ride quality. Additionally, QA1 sway bars front and rear further improve the truck’s handling dynamics.
“These QA1 components have transformed the handling and overall feel of the truck,” Mark explains. “The control and stability I get from the coilovers, control arms, and sway bars are incredible. It’s like driving a completely different vehicle.”
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE ALL QA1 CHEVY C10 SUSPENSION COMPONENTS
UNIQUE AND PERSONAL TOUCHES
Mark’s C10 isn’t just a beast on the track; it’s a showcase of his own creativity. The body is all steel with "custom rust" sections, AMD replacement fender and bedside, maintaining a rugged yet stylish appearance. Inside, the truck features unique accents like 160-year-old barn wood and seats from a Hyundai Tiburon, blending classic charm with modern comfort.
The wheels and tires combination, consisting of Ridler wheels wrapped in Falken Azenis tires, ensures both grip and style. “My favorite parts of the truck are the small, unique touches – the gutter guard from Home Depot used everywhere for grilling, the inverted hood scoops, and the fence-post cap wheel center caps,” Mark proudly mentions. “They fit perfectly and look like they came with the wheels.”
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Mark's C10 has visited numerous events, including the Hot Rod Power Tour, LS Fest, and several SCCA events, competing primarily in the CAM T class. Despite not chasing awards, the truck garners admiration and envy wherever it goes.
“I wired and plumbed everything myself, which was a huge challenge. Learning to operate a volt meter was like dealing with something from Satan,” Mark humorously shares. “But doing it all myself, down to the wiring, has been incredibly rewarding.”
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING BUILDERS
Mark’s advice for those contemplating a similar build is straightforward and motivational: “Do it! None of us know what we are doing until we do it. Quit being a sissy and get on it!”
With the support of friends and family, particularly Rusty Mobley, Michael Bilbry, Brad Clevenger, Kasey Saltness, and his step-daughter Jamie Murphy, Mark’s 1985 Chevy C10 is an illustration of his dedication, skill, and passion for automotive tinkering and classic GM iron.
