The Valor C10: BendPak’s Boldest Build Yet

AGOURA HILLS, CA (April 14, 2025) - There’s something timeless about a classic Chevy C10—clean lines, raw attitude, and that unmistakable American swagger. We’re taking this legendary truck and giving it a new life with a full ground-up transformation that blends vintage character with modern performance, top-tier craftsmanship, and a few personal touches that speak to who we are.

Meet the Valor C10—a build that’s as much about legacy as it is about horsepower.

Why This Truck, and Why Now?

We chose a second-generation C10 for a reason. It’s a symbol of American engineering at its best—rugged, reliable, and built to last. This build is a tribute—created to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, especially those who gave their lives in defense of our nation, and those who devoted their lives to service. That sense of duty and sacrifice hits close to home for us. Both our founder, Don Henthorn, and our current CEO, Jeff Kritzer, come from military backgrounds, and that experience has shaped the way BendPak operates to this day. It's a mindset built on discipline, precision, and purpose—values that guide not just our products, but everything we take on, including a build as meaningful as the Valor C10.

Dustin Hacker - The Vision Behind the Metal

To bring the Valor C10 to life, we turned to someone who doesn’t just build trucks—he crafts rolling art. Dustin Hacker, founder of Nostalgia Hot Rods, has made a name for himself in the world of custom fabrication with builds that are bold, expressive, and unmistakably original. His work has graced our SEMA booths more than once, and his passion for the craft is unmistakable the moment you see one of his creations.

Now based out of a new, state-of-the-art shop in Cedar City, Utah, Dustin and his team are raising the bar once again—this time with a truck that blends their signature style with our vision of what modern muscle can look like.

Built on Performance, Fueled by Innovation

This isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. Underneath the Valor C10, you’ll find a Speedtech Performance EXTREME chassis with independent suspension tuned for real-world performance. The heart of the build? A supercharged LS engine mated to a 6L80E from Gear Star transmission—serious power with daily drivability baked in. And the whole thing will ride on our own Octa-Flex lift, a shop-grade beast built for heavy-duty work. It’s the perfect platform for this level of craftsmanship.

Follow the Journey

We’re documenting every step—from teardown to paint, fabrication to final tune. We’ll have a lot more to share soon. To keep up with the action, make sure to bookmark this page and check back often. This is where you’ll find new updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and exclusive details as the Valor C10 takes shape.