1964 4x4 Swiss fire truck conversion

[Skywalker1210]

Hey folks,

First of all, I have to say I am quite happy I found this forum. This is my first 60s truck (well, actually my first truck ever) and I already found so much information and inspiration here. But step by step:

Last year in September, I bought this former fire truck from a Swiss firefighter nearby Zurich in Switzerland.

Awesome condition. Only 6'500 (!) miles on the truck - guaranteed, as the Swissies have to fill in a driver's log for any movements with a governmental vehicle. 292 L6 Engine. Everything original as assembled in Bern, Switzerland 50 years ago.

Of course, I want to use it rather then put in in a museum, so I looked for a matching bed and was quite lucky to find one in Germany (on eBay) the same day I found the truck (coincidence?). So there was no time for second thoughts. I decided to buy it.

Since the two red tones (of the cab and bed) were different, I decided to get rid of the paint and get a original color from back then. So I decided to go for a Chevy aqua marin blue from 1964. The truck is currently being prepared for the paint job so I will only be able to show some latest developments in the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can also follow me on twitter @Stage1Luke

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and my truck, as I am sure I will be hovering through the forum with plenty of questions on different topics. My truck project is far from being finished, even after the paint job, and I am hoping I can find some ideas here and there on how to improve the look as well as the mechanical part.

Feel free to send your comments / ideas. The Swiss Chevy Truck community is very small (if at all existing) so I'll be happy about any future correspondence.

Cheers,
Luke

[ChevyFreak60]

Awesome looking truck! You should have left the stock wheels n tires though.....Just my PO.

[1963c-10]

very cool truck and welcome to the forum.

[Skywalker1210]

Originally Posted by ChevyFreak60

Awesome looking truck! You should have left the stock wheels n tires though.....Just my PO.

Thanks! These are temporary, from my old G30 Chevy Van. Looking for some new tires at the moment (the old ones are from 1983 and hard as concrete!).

It has been quite a mission for some time now to find such tires which are relatively inexpensive. Also, need to find a mechanic who can put them on the 3-piece rims...

[gofastnut]

I'm more of a 2WD truck guy myself, but that's one clean truck! Welcome to the forum and can't wait to see the progress!

[Skywalker1210]

thanks guys!

Some more pics...

[60-66]

Nice find ! Has to be the only one in Switzerland ? I like the looks of the stock rims also if you can find what you need for tires.

[Mathew21]

Very cool truck, Congrats!

[TJ's Chevy]

That's one sweet truck! Looking good!

[sodly]

Love it with the stock wheels, too! Very cool.

[66Gilbert]

Wow what a nice truck!! I have to agree with everyone on the look of the stock wheels, even if you don't use the 3 piece wheels I would try and find a wheel to give it the stock look and use the original hub caps.

[JWheeler331]

Very cool.

[MusicMan70]

Welcome Luke! Just a beautiful truck you have there.

[Clyde65]

OMG! I love that truck!

Great find for sure!

Oh and Welcome from Texas Y'all!

[Bishops Trucks]

Welcome to the site. That is a beautiful truck you have!

[PGSigns]

Welcome and that is a nice truck.
Jimmy

[64chevtruck]

Wow, what a neat truck thanks for sharing !

[Bears63]

That is one beautiful truck! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures with us. I know I needed a good drool-fest this morning!

[Skywalker1210]

Thank you gents. Appreciate your feedback. Feeling even more lucky now that I found this beauty . Will post some more pictures soon.

For the meantime, a couple of things I am currently thinking about. Let me know what you think:

1. White cab top? Or paint the whole thing in one color (Aqua marine blue)?
2. V8 or keep the L6? I
3. Stock wheels in black or white?
4. Wood type for the back?
5. Bed stripes chrome or stainless steel? Or painted?

Look forward to your thoughts. Cheers
Luke

[aerotruk63]

Welcome/ Bienvenue to the site from Montreal.

Keeping the original color from the trim plate will add value to the truck.
Painting the wood and metal bed strips black as original would be a nice touch.
Black wheels for monotone trucks originally and main body color for two tones.
Nothing wrong with a 292 but again, your preference.
It's so original it would be nice to preserve it that way.
Course it all depends on how you want your project to look.

I would also like to come over and drive one of your cabover trucks on your road system.

[Skywalker1210]

Thanks Aerotruk, for the explanations as well as recommendations. The info regarding wheel color is new to me.

Another question: it seems that my passenger door cannot be locked. How is the standard? lock from inside? outside?

[sodly]

Another vote for keeping it all-stock. I agree with Aerotruk63. Keep it correct. Black wheels, black bed. 292s are cool!

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Skywalker1210

Thanks Aerotruk, for the explanations as well as recommendations. The info regarding wheel color is new to me.

Another question: it seems that my passenger door cannot be locked. How is the standard? lock from inside? outside?

Welcome.
Great find, great truck!

passenger door locks when you press the handle down from the inside.
you can add a drivers lock cylinder to the pass handle and use the key to lock the knob

[Bullett]

Holy cow, what a find, that is awesome!

[Skywalker1210]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

I would also like to come over and drive one of your cabover trucks on your road system.

Yeah, driving around on central European highways is pretty awesome. Especially when all the Mercs, BMWs, Audis and Porsches overtake you with an average speed of 130 mph...