Mike Copeland of Diversified Creations expertly thread the Zero Emissions needle with a Hydrogen Powered LS!

Mike Copeland of Diversified Creations and Arrington Performance figured out the 21st century Hot Rodders conundrum:   Internal Combustion versus Green Initiative. What you are looking at is perhaps the future of Hot Rodding. Meet “Zero”, Mike Copeland’s answer to the EV. Completed at his Diversified Creations Brighton MI shop, this 1948 Chevy Pickup offers the best of both worlds; the look, feel and sound of a true Hot Rod with Zero emissions. Zero Emissions courtesy of  Hydrogen. The Hot Rod courtesy of a 6.2L LS. Yep you read that correctly a Hydrogen Powered LS.

An Ebay find, this ’48 Chevy started life as a tow truck with 47, 000 miles original miles.  Then Copeland and his crew went to work. They were able to salvage the cab, hood and both doors with the remainder of “Zero” fabricated in house. Completed in 10 weeks this truck is pristine from bumper to bumper. All the work; body, paint, interior and most importantly the propriety system used to employ hydrogen as a fuel source for this bad boy, done in house at Diversified Creations.

Let’s get into that Hydrogen Powered LS. Backed by a Tremec Transmission, the Griffin Radiator cooled LS Power Plant is topped with a Magnusun 2650 Super Charger. Crisp compression and tight seals come from Weisco Pistons and Rings. E3 Spark plugs provide ignition. K1 Connecting Rods and Crank Shaft back up all the ponies from that LS.  SCE Gaskets seal the deal. A Wegner Accessory Drive powers the remaining mechanics and a  TCI Chassis gets all that power to the pavement.  A mini tub allowed the space for some Pro Plus Baer brakes and custom Forgeline wheels wrapped with Continental’s best.

Important for the true Hot Rodder is how does this Hydrogen Powered truck sound? According to Copeland, “It sounds like a V8 because it is a V8!”.  Gasoline was swapped with hydrogen so “Zero” roars to beat the band. To bring that V8 blast straight to our ears is a Kooks full stainless steel exhaust system with race mufflers.

Moving inside, “Zero” sports a masterfully crafted interior. The ’55 Olds dash is custom fitted with the finishing touch of Classic Instruments Gauges and has from the inventors of performance A/C  a custom Vintage system. A GT Performance steering wheel will keep “Zero” heading straight down the road. Mar K Bed Wood polishes up this pickup to perfection. Lastly, the Copeland’s will be Living Loud with the Kicker Audio System pumping her favorite tunes.

Please enjoy and perhaps envy Mr. Copeland’s unique and inventive answer to the EV.