SP Rides: One Wicked Fantasy
By Michael Kitchens
Owner: CD Morgan
Age: 47
Occupation: Executive Chef
Hobbies: Building & Racing, Spending time with Grandson
Year, Make, Model: 1997 Chevrolet S-10
Color: Red with Silver
Engine: 350 V8, MSD Blaster 2, Cams, Holley 750 Carburetor, Air Scoop
Drivetrain: T5 Transmission
Interior: Custom Carpeted Interior, Color-matched Interior, Kenwood Receiver with 6x9s, and Bose Speakers
Exterior: Flame Red & Silver Paint Job, Chrome Accents, Custom Vinyl
Wheels & Tires: Bonspeed Deltas, with 215/35Z R18s front, 225/50 R18s rear
Although born and raised on Oahu, CD Morgan moved to Maui and recieved his culinary degree. While managing two restaurants, he became big into Volkswagens and frequented Maui’s drag strip on a regular basis. After 16 years of racing and restaurant excitement, he returned to Oahu just as Hawaii Raceway Park closed its doors for the last time.
With racing still in his blood, CD acquired this 1997 Chevrolet S-10 by selling a 2005 custom pro street chopper. Featuring a gorgeous red and silver paint job with flame and chrome accents, CD had big plans in mind to make the ride his own.
This is not your average S-10. The stock powerplant had been ripped out and replaced by a raging 350 V8. CD’s friend, Willy, massaged the engine to increase the top end speed with bigger cams, gear drive, and a brand new Holley 750 Carburetor matched with a Holley Airscoop. It also features a MSD Blaster 2 Ignitions Coil setup and an Optima battery.
His next step was to rip the older transmission out in exchange for a T5 race transmission to fit the motor better. The ride is slammed on Bonspeed Deltas with 215/35Z R18s in the front with 225/50 R18s in the rear. The stance is slammed low thanks to a Slambag setup. The custom airbag gear was installed and is unique in that its run by a scuba tank rather than compressors. “I don’t have to worry about the battery dying, and it only costs $5 bucks to fill up every so often,” says CD.
The interior has been custom carpeted and the color-matched to the red exterior with silver flame accents. It also features matching floor mats and a custom Autometer gauge setup to monitor speed, engine temps and his airbags. Even the rear-view mirror has been tricked out. CD keeps the stereo installation simple with a Kenwood in-dash receiver, some 6x9s and Bose speakers in the back. “I can’t hear the radio anyways!” he says. A trick switch install controls the airbags while a massive silver shifter slams the gears.
CD’s future plans are to install a custom NOS setup for added power. This isn’t his only custom S-10 but his grandson, Zayden, loves it. The sound of the engine is a great reminder of how bad azz this truck is. He loves power and this truck’s build is a combination of killer looks, stance and pure muscle.
Managing two restaurants while finding time to follow your passions can be hard, but CD enjoys what he does. Whether it’s building engines or spending time with his grandson, CD has a simple motto: “Keep building, keep driving for what you want.”
How else can you have a Wicked Fantasy?
