1968 C10 “Risen” A Family Heirloom Turned Automotive Icon

Jose Acevedo Jr. . December 06, 2024 . Buyer’s Guides

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Barn Find to Super Fine

The C10 stands as one of the most iconic trucks in the custom automotive industry, and Cris Saenz’s truck, affectionately named Risen C10, epitomizes the essence of a simple yet striking street truck. This journey began in 2004 when Cris’ father stumbled upon a hidden gem—a true barn find C10 in Washington state. He purchased it and drove it back to Texas, presenting it to Cris as his very first truck. This generous gift ignited a passionate love for C10s in Cris, setting him on a path that would lead to the creation of this dream vehicle. Hailing from the small town of Mission, Texas, Cris dedicated years of hard work to transform a 1968 C10 short wheelbase, a pretty rare model, as most trucks came in longbed configurations those years, into the truck he always envisioned.

The project began in the garage behind his house, where Cris envisioned building a daily-driven street truck that would turn heads.

The project began in the garage behind his house, where Cris envisioned building a daily-driven street truck that would turn heads. The journey of customization kicked off with a common aspiration among hot rodders: How to make it go faster? Cris answered this call by swapping in a powerful LS2 6.0 engine sourced from a Corvette, paired with a fully built 4L80E transmission. The engine was further enhanced with ported Patriot heads and a custom cam and intake from Texas Speed, expertly dialed in by Hellhound Motorsports in Rio Grande City, Texas. Risen truly lives up to its name, boasting the power to put the torque to the ground.

Next on Cris’ agenda was achieving the perfect stance for the truck. He opted for full coilovers in both the front and rear, with much of the work performed in-house alongside his father. To create a custom C-notch for the C10’s unique frame design, the rear suspension was sent to Kid Metal Worx in Alamo, Texas, where Edgar Nino skillfully executed the modifications. With the suspension set, Cris faced the critical task of selecting the ideal wheel combination. He chose Raceline Jaded 5 wheels in a striking 20×9 and 22×12 size combo, and wrapped them in Toyo Proxes tires. Special thanks to Diablito Custom Wheels for their assistance in bringing this vision to life.

One day, my C10 will be out there!” he often thought, and many years later, that dream became a reality.

Once the mechanical upgrades were complete, Cris turned his attention to the aesthetics. He decided on a sleek Summit White and matte silver finish trim for the truck, with contrasting ruby red accents adorning the interior. This meticulous attention to detail resulted in a truck that truly reflects Cris’ vision and dedication. The transformation of Risen was not without its challenges, as the build required countless hours of blood, sweat, and perseverance. Like many automotive enthusiasts, Cris dreamed of showcasing his creation at events like C10 Nationals, C10s in the Park, and Lone Star Throwdown.

“One day, my C10 will be out there!” he often thought, and many years later, that dream became a reality.

Cris acknowledges that this incredible journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of friends and family.

“I want to give a special thank you to Cesar Tijerina and LG Billet for always pushing me and having my back,” Cris says. “I also want to thank my daughter Sabrina, my parents Cristobal Sr. and Esmeralda Saenz, and my little brother Aaron.”

Now that Risen has reached the pinnacle of Cris’s aspirations, he enjoys daily drives, picking up his daughter from school, attending local car meets, and even taking the truck on out-of-state adventures. This experience has proven that with the right mindset and relentless effort, anything is possible. Cris Saenz’s story is a testament to the power of dreams and the fulfillment that comes from turning them into reality.