New to me 1965 C20

[Mathew21]

Hello everyone. I have been in the market for a truck for awhile. I did not want a show truck. I wanted a good ole' work truck. I plan on daily drive this truck April-Nov to work Mon-Fri then cruising her on the weekends. I found this one online in Nevada and fell in love. I know most people think it's crazy to buy something site on seen but I have done this a few times now with good luck so far. Living in Michigan you have a very few solid trucks to pick from unless you want to pay a high premium. Also most of the solid trucks around here are restored trucks and that's not what I wanted. Anyway this is what I ended up with. First thing I want to do is change the wheels. I'm going to put a set of steel wheels and hub caps on this weekend.

1965 C20 327, 400 trans, ps, pb. She runs great.

[URL=http://s17.photobucket.com/user/capone1680/media/0_IMG_11951.jpg.html]

[66customcamper]

That's a nice truck you've got there! Looks like you got exactly what you were looking for. Well done.

[firemanjimtfd]

That's a good solid V8 automatic patina truck. We all wish we could find like that. What is that hanging down below dash under headlight switch.

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by firemanjimtfd

That's a good solid V8 automatic patina truck. We all wish we could find like that. What is that hanging down below dash under headlight switch.

Are you referring to the switch below under the dash? or the handle. If your referring to the switch I'm not sure I only had 5 minutes to play with the truck since I got her home today. I was thinking previous owner added a hazard switch. The handle should be the emergency brake. I will check it out and report back. This is I my first Chevy truck of this generation.

What switch am I missing on the dash on to the left of the steering column?

[66customcamper]

That hole is where my manual choke is. Maybe that's what is under your dash

[Fatherof3]

Originally Posted by 66customcamper

that's a nice truck you've got there! Looks like you got exactly what you were looking for. Well done.

x2

[TJ's Chevy]

Very nice! Looks to be nice and solid to! Great find!

[wjjeeper]

Nice truck. The c20 emblems aren't on the cowl, it has seat belts and it has reverse lights. You sure it isn't a 66?

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by wjjeeper

Nice truck. The c20 emblems aren't on the cowl, it has seat belts and it has reverse lights. You sure it isn't a 66?

Hmmm the title said 1965 I will decode the vin when I get back home.thanks everyone co the positive post.

[60-66]

Now that's the way you want to buy them. NICE ! . If theres a spid sheet in the glove box it will have some good Info, your dash looks like the 1966 brown also and the fender emblems are 1966. Cant tell but is it a 3 speed automatic or 2 speed ? Very nice find.

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Now that's the way you want to buy them. NICE ! . If theres a spid sheet in the glove box it will have some good Info, your dash looks like the 1966 brown also and the fender emblems are 1966. Cant tell but is it a 3 speed automatic or 2 speed ? Very nice find.

3 Speed. The previous owner told me is has a 400 trans but I have not confirmed that yet.

OK according to the title it's a 1965, but when I decode the Vin C2546Z117898 I come up with 1966. The Vin on the title matched the Vin tag on the truck.

[corvettejim1968]

Originally Posted by Mathew21

3 Speed. The previous owner told me is has a 400 trans but I have not confirmed that yet.

OK according to the title it's a 1965, but when I decode the Vin C2546Z117898 I come up with 1966. The Vin on the title matched the Vin tag on the truck.

i can see how a mistake can be made like that back then. but yeah looking at the badging and the back up lights and the interment cluster bezel is in silver and not black like a 64 and 65 its a 66 for sure im thinking.

[rideblue00]

Nice find! Hello fellow Michigander! I agree with corvettejim on it being 66. 1966 was also the first year for the Turbo 400. Easy to confirm, look at the shape of the trans pan. And also that empty hole in the dash bezel is for the choke. Also look for the build sheet behind the seat springs, on the back portion that is. I don't know how many were delivered with the 400, but i would say not too many. Looks like a low milage truck and good bed wood too!

[Mathew21]

Thanks everyone for all the information. I guess maybe I should change the title of this thread to "New to me 1966 C20".

The build sheet is in the seat back. I seen it last night. I will see if I can get it out of there today without damaging it.

[oem4me]

No doubt a '66 and a great find! The stocker wheels and caps will look just right. When pulling the build sheet, don't tug too hard on it. Do what another member suggested in another thread: try drawing and holding the springs away with several zip ties until the paper is free. It's likely to be very crumbly, so you will only get one chance to get it out undamaged.

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by oem4me

No doubt a '66 and a great find! The stocker wheels and caps will look just right. When pulling the build sheet, don't tug too hard on it. Do what another member suggested in another thread: try drawing and holding the springs away with several zip ties until the paper is free. It's likely to be very crumbly, so you will only get one chance to get it out undamaged.

Thanks

[factorystock]

Nice find! Hope your plans are to preserve history! Appears to have been a camper hauler a majority of its life ( the reason this 3/4 ton is not beat to hell) Most would peg out a painted grill and bumper truck as a "plain jane" or "stripper", not always the case. A standard appearing truck could have been ordered with just about any options a "Custom" could have been ordered with. As I have stated many times, original wheels and hubcaps are critical to the "character" of these trucks, just like any other styled metal part, hood, door, fender tailgate etc.

[Mathew21]

Great picture thanks for posting it. I was laughing with my Wife yesterday when we were checking out the truck that it only had a drivers side sun visor. One of those things I would've never guessed to be an option. I'm just happy the original owner opted for power steering and brakes.

I looked at the build sheet in the back of the seat today. I didn't pull it out yet because it is already torn in many places. But I did read the build date. It was built on 11/11/1965.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Mathew21

only had a drivers side sun visor. One of those things I would've never guessed to be an option.

Dual sun visors were included in the Z 62 "Custom Comfort" trim option. If you look at your "For Economical Transportation" tag attached to left inner kick panel, you will notice "STD" (standard) in trim section. I also noticed your truck does not have the "gauges" option either ( which most RV type buyers) would spring for. However, I agree, your drive train and power options more than make up for this. Another desireable option would be the 4.11 ratio, if not listed on your spid or build sheet, it came with the standard 4.57 ratio. My top wheel choice would be the hard to find 19.5", followed by the 17.5" (standard wheel on 3/4 tons) and then the lock ring 16" wheel. All these wheels are period correct and have clips for correct hubcaps.

[63burban4x4]

nuff said!

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 63burban4x4

nuff said!

Who do you think your talking to on this forum? Your wife?

[sodly]

Thumbs up on the original wheel and hubcap agenda. Only way to go on a truck like that.

I also agree on the '66 date. I can't remember for sure but when did the TH400 become available on C20s? Was it late '65 or all of '65 or not till '66?

[DaHos]

Matt, Just found your message........???


NICE ONE !

I now forgive you driving the FORD over here.....lol

[Mathew21]

Originally Posted by DaHos

Matt, Just found your message........???


NICE ONE !

I now forgive you driving the FORD over here.....lol

LOL, Thanks Dave. I'm putting that axle in this weekend.

Originally Posted by RANDY COX

That is a very nicely aged truck. Don't get no better than that....

Thanks

[yelmer]

I think the turbo 400 was 66 only but the 327 was a mid year 65 option