Inspired by the Surf Lifestyle
My name is Steven Lambert, and I’m from Houston, Texas. This is my 1972 Chevy C10, affectionately named California Dreamin’. While the truck may live in Texas, its soul is pure West Coast. my son and I live near Galveston, and whenever we get the chance, we head down to the coast with a longboard to catch some waves. Surfing has always been a big inspiration for me, and that lifestyle naturally found its way into this build.
I’ve always wanted to make it out to California—Del Mar especially—but until that day comes, I’m California dreamin’ in Texas. To complete the vision, I even had a matching surfboard made to pair with the truck. It’s finished in medium blue and linen white, the exact same colors as the C10. It’s all about the details.
A Truck with Family Roots
I’ve owned this truck for about 15 years now. I bought it from my father-in-law, who originally picked it up in Indiana. Back then, it was just a stock farm truck—nothing fancy, just honest and hardworking. Once I brought it back to the Houston area, things started to change. Like many of us, I began flipping through magazines, soaking in ideas, and before I knew it, I wasn’t just restoring a truck—I was building one.
Upgrading the Right Way with CPP
One of the first areas I wanted to improve was the suspension. That search led me to Classic Performance Products, and from there, the transformation really began. I started ordering CPP components:
- Tubular control arms
- Trailing arms
- Crossmembers
- And more as the build evolved
What stood out immediately was how straightforward everything was. Every part was a direct bolt-on—no fabrication required. The fit, the quality, and the engineering made the entire process enjoyable. Everything just worked.
Living the Dream—One Drive at a Time
This C10 represents more than just a build. It’s a lifestyle, a connection with my son, and a rolling expression of a dream that started with surfing magazines and classic truck features. I may not be cruising the coast of California just yet, but every time I drive this truck through Texas—with that surfboard in the bed—I’m living the dream. And someday, California Dreamin’ will make it to California.