Jake Paul’s fight entrance ahead of his recent boxing match against Mike Tyson turned heads, even if the bout itself fell flat.
Riding in the back of a heavily modified, purple-over-lime-green Chevrolet C3500 dually, Paul leveraged a nostalgic nod to the '90s custom ute scene.
Accompanied by Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight" and a pigeon perched in the ute's bed, the spectacle served as a highlight in an otherwise lacklustre event.
Krew Kut returns
The vehicle, known affectionately as 'Krew Kut', began life as a standard red Chevrolet C3500 work utein the early 1990s.
Master Image Customs (MIC) transformed it into a cult icon, slamming its suspension, fitting a hydraulic system, chopping its roof and giving it a marine-grade interior. Its flamed-out paint job and low-riding stance made it a staple of the custom ute scene.
Despite its initial success, Krew Kut disappeared from the public eye around the 2000s, eventually falling into disrepair. In 2018, the crew at Gas Monkey Garage, known from the television programme Fast N' Loud, purchased the truck for US$7,500 (around NZ$12,700) and began a painstaking restoration.
Modern revival, classic spirit
The restoration maintained the truck’s unmistakable aesthetic while modernising its internals.
Gas Monkey Garage replaced the ageing 454 engine with a Katech 496 LSX mated to a 4L80E transmission. The rear suspension was upgraded with hydraulics and a RideTech HD four-link, while custom inner fenders and a fabricated firewall ensured the new powertrain fits seamlessly.
The exterior received meticulous attention, with the team matching the House of Kolor Lime Time Green paint after consulting the truck's original painter, Steve Van Demon.
Inside, a 2016 Chevy dashboard, custom seats, and an in-dash iPad brought the cabin into the modern era. Wet Sounds supplied an upgraded audio system to complete the overhaul.
Where is Krew Kut now?
The ute resurfaced during Paul’s dramatic entrance, reportedly in the possession of the Diesel Brothers, who also star in an eponymous car-centric TV show.
Heavy D, one of the brothers, drove the vehicle, adding another layer to its storied legacy. While the fight itself may have been forgettable, Krew Kut's cameo rekindled interest in one of its era's most distinctive custom builds.