Was it worth it? (Pic heavy..)

[Vics63Chevy]

First of all, great forum! I have alot of reading to do but I can already tell there's a TON of helpful people and information on here!

I bought this 1963 Chevy C10 Shortbed Fleetside Big Back Window Deluxe for $2300. It didn't come with an engine in but did come with the original 3 on the tree tranny.
He did also give me an edelbrock 350 with a 700R4 tranny tho
He also gave me the whole front end of a 72 Chevy to replace mine with disc brakes and the rear of it too..

Truck needs work but what do you think? I've been wanting a 63 shortbed fleetside with big back window since I can remember because that's how I remember my grandfather.

Here are the pics.
My dad in the background..

Chevy.. runs in the family

Just a pic I thought looked awesome, taken from my phone.

Windshield needs replacement but already found one on Craigslist in mint condition for $150 picked up

Thats the only bad rust spot I've seen..


At least the dash isn't hacked into! thank god..


Seat looks ok..

Love the wraparound windshield!!


So what are your thoughts?

[k1rodeoboater]

It's to late now even if you did, so don't torture yourself over it.

You bought it because it's like your Grandpa's old truck and it reminds you of him. So what are your plans for the truck? I love the wrap around windshields, kinda wished I looked for a 63 instead of getting my 66 but I'm happy with my rust bucket/money pit.

[Vics63Chevy]

I don't regret it at all, I plan to restore it and keep it!

Plans are to restore everything to how it was originally except for braking system and the suspension, and wheels of course. I'd like it to lay frame on air bags one day.

[Rich 5150 69]

You have a good start, welcome to the site Vic...!

[javadoc]

I really dig the seat!!

Welcome to the site

[jocko]

your combo is absolutely one of my favorites - and as 60-66's go, I'd say it's kinda rare - at the very least, it's one that can't be mistaken for another year as 63 had some great modernizing changes (got rid of the torsion bars, not that there's anything wrong with that...) while still keeping the good looks of the kneeknocker wraparound windshield setup. And the grille is one year only and looks great. Cool. 63 shortfleet bbw is a GREAT combo. What are your plans? Restore it to what it is that reminds you of your grandfather? Or hot rod it?

Looking forward to your build, this truck has great potential. As for good deal or not a good deal - it's all relative, it's what you wanted, so that's what counts. I think it's pretty normal to wonder if you paid too much (buyer's remorse??) after you plunk down a chunk of cash - I know I wondered for awhile after I bought mine. But once you get in the garage and start tinkering, it just doesn't matter anymore. We have a common illness.... Welcome to the site.
And thanks for posting so many pics, much appreciated!
jocko

edit - oops, sorry, just re-read and saw your plans posted above. Great! Can't wait to see it come along.

[skoffice]

This thing has a lot of potential, of course it's worth it! Welcome to the site!

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Vic

Sounds like you have a good plan. If you have the time, you might start a build thread over in the 'Projects and Builds' section.

Those original aluminum '63 grills are hard to come by. Especially in that good of condition. Looks like your truck is relatively straight, and not too much rust.

[scrapmetalart]

Sounds like a good price for all that you goy.

That seat is AWESOME!

[bobbylast]

Originally Posted by scrapmetalart

Sounds like a good price for all that you goy.

That seat is AWESOME!

i had that same diamond pleat in my 57 chevy car...i was 19 then (memories)

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. 63's are my favorite year of Chevy in this series. The grille is one year only and yours looks to be in great condition. Be very gentle with the trim when removing the windshield, it is somewhat rare and very hard to find. Over the years many sets of trim have been ruined by uneducated owners attempting to pry the trim out of the gasket while it's still on the truck.

It's usually best to cut around the perimeter of the gasket so the windshield comes out easily. The gasket is installed on the glass and then the trim is installed in the gasket channel before the glass goes on the truck. Reversing the process, the glass/trim/gasket need to come off the truck before the trim is removed. The trim caps go on last after the new windshield is in place.

[bobbylast]

you should be able to get a new windshield installed for that money, i did.
ofcourse that was in new orleans, but my windshield is brand new and all i had to do was drop it off for an hour.

[61_FL_Apache]

I like that seat too. Nice project!!

[jimmydean]

I think you got a great deal with a ton of extra parts. Looks like it wasn't cut into too bad, so at least there will be little to no re-do, just "do".

[chopper john]

looks great , looks like a good deal. i especially like that seat , it would look great in my truck.lol

[Greg63]

Nice starting point. All you need to do is assemble.
Greg.

[ChiefRocka]

Sounds like a deal to me !!!

Welcome aboard !!

[Chapstr's65]

Hey man I asked myself that same question after I bought mine. Especially when I found one an hour from my house a month later for the same price with every upgrade you could get in 65 but as a fleet side not a step-side. I love my truck now and won't trade it for anything and I am more partial to the step-side because I don’t see as many. So to answer your question HELL YEAH!

[Vics63Chevy]

Thanks everyone!! I searched nearly every county in California, Nevada, Arizona, and some in Colorado trying to find a 63 short bed fleetside big back window with wraparound windshield for about 3 months before this one showed up 4 hours away from me! AND it was in my range! So took a Saturday off and left at 8am returned with her by 9pm! Driving 35mph sucked but it was worth it

Thanks for all the information from all you guys I have alot of researching to do but tomorrow I should start tearing into it!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

If you decide to have the seat re upholstered I will buy the old upholstery from you, I have the door panels that match in my truck.

[apachedaddy]

Not sure on the 63's about the vin tag but it seems to look like it has been moved. It's not uncommon to swap cabs but I would look on the drivers side frame rail and see if it matches the vin on the a piller. But other than that looks like a great start to me...
Posted via Mobile Device

[Vics63Chevy]

Hmm.. I'll check it out and report back tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

[REDNOSE65]

Welcome...can't wait to see progress!!!

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Vics63Chevy

Truck needs work but what do you think? I've been wanting a 63 shortbed fleetside with big back window since I can remember because that's how I remember my grandfather.


So what are your thoughts?

If every time you look at it, sit in it, work on it, or even think about, if it makes you think of your grandpa, you made a valuable purchase.

[brawley]

You lucky dog you!! the rust under the door pilars is a pita, try safelite auto glass for a replacement, its a whole lot cheaper than purchasing one from vendors.