ABOUT

Steed Design First Generation C10 Trucks are designed and built by John Covington and his crew of craftsmen in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Covington studied Industrial Design at the Art Center College of Design. His passion for design led to his founding Steed Musclebike Mfg. Co. in 1989, raising the bar in the Alternative American Motorcycle Market with his proprietary Steed Brand Monoglide single shock Chassis. Covington was the first bike builder with a 300mm Fat-Tire motorcycle in 2003.  After 16 years in the motorcycle business while manufacturing thousands of Steed bikes, Covington sold his motorcyle company in 2005 to pursue other opportunities.  His eye for design led to his next venture as a commercial photographer, specializing in shooting all kinds of vehicles, creating images and marketing content for private clients, businesses, and shooting for many national publications, including a gig as staff photographer for Easyriders magazine.

After customizing a vintage 1955 Packard 400 and a 1971 Cadillac Eldorado for fun, Covington discovered a 1963 C10 Truck “Barn Find” and began a frame off restoration.  This stepside shortbed was offered at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in 2018, which sold with a record-breaking bid, and so began the quest to build more outstanding first generation C10’s.

According to Covington, the 1963 C10 is the “Prime” truck, representing the last year of the nostalgic wrap-around windshield and the first of the “Modern” coil-over suspension that GM used through 1972.  The C10 platform is ripe for updated drive-train configurations, suspension upgrades and all the modern comforts including a Steed exclusive proprietary metal dash console to house iPlay media centers while concealing the electronic modules of modern drivetrain components for a clean updated interior with all the latest features including air-conditioning vents, backup camera and hands-free phone applications.

Utilizing his eye for detail and uncompromised attention to craftsmanship, Covington has directed his energy into operating his “microbrewery” of LS swapped resto-mod’s at his private design studio.  He oversees every detail from the design, fabrication, performance component matching, electronics and wiring to custom paint and upholstery.  His industry contacts from nearly two decades of motorcycle manufacturing are parlayed into a unique perspective in his prized C10 builds.  His eye for detail is unparalleled as he produces 2 to 3 unique vehicles per year. 

Whether it’s a commissioned build for a private individual, a spec-build or a commercial-client project, every detail right down to the last nut and bolt is all under the direction of Covington. When a part is not available or Covington sees an opportunity to improve upon the status-quo, he designs and creates one-off components and manufactures multiple Steed designed & branded components for the retail market.  Covington developed an upgraded door proprietary component that has sold over 1000 units worldwide in the niche C10 Knee-Knocker market; a Delrin door-wedge that is a must-have for any 1960 to 1963 C/K truck, and he continues to innovate with proprietary products as they present themselves.

Please feel free to reach out directly to John@SteedTrucks.com.  He has several trucks in process for sale and is also available to complete your C10 restoration, consult on your project, or build you the First Generation C10 truck of your dreams.