The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Factory Correct Restoration Thread

[60-66]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Yep, all GM cars were spayed with "Magic Mirror" acrylic lacquer as I remember, but the trucks got enamel. This is one reason trucks display the most killer patina from that era. When lacquer ages, it cracks or "checks" which can lead to an alligator skin look, where as trucks and their enamel paint jobs fade evenly and thin out to zero without flaking off.
I did not know that saying about painting one over the other. In fact, from my experience painting cars, I know lacquer is chemically much "hotter" than enamel, which would mean enamel can go over lacquer, but not the other way. In most cases lacquer will lift underlying enamel unless a sealer is applied first.

Maybe I have it backward ?

[60-66]

Heres the picture of that lacquer touch up paint.

[aotte1]

Jon,
Thanks for the additional information on primer /paint process.

Following is from what I found on well worn '64 built in St Louis.

It seems to follow what you know. Front fenders black primer; whole doors black primer, along with outside of door and jam area red primer ( can not say whole jam red primer, at least have it some areas; center part of door inside is black). On the cab, looks like red primer on outside under painted areas and bottom of floor pan, inside of cab black?? Firewall - black ??. Again this is a well work truck.

Les

[Dad&Son61]

Can anyone supply a pic of the parkimg brake linkage assembly for 1961 c10 SWB

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Dad&Son61

Can anyone supply a pic of the parkimg brake linkage assembly for 1961 c10 SWB

Heres some 61 parking brake pictures for you.

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 60-66

That's still a learning process Les. What I do know, again, is that everything was dipped in black primer just like buying NOS parts. The complete front end was painted over the black primer. Now the cab is where that changes. Every one I have seen, the cab and doors where the paint fades off of factory paint its red oxide underneath. I know from cutting cabs apart that these cabs were not dipped as there's bare metal between the layers. Doors however , I have several NOS doors in black primer. Im guessing the doors were shot in red oxide primer over the black while the cabs were being prepped, then painted in body color with the doors mounted to the cab.

Every book I have from Chevrolet and GMC states these trucks were factory painted in Enamel while the touch up paint you find from this era for these trucks is a can of Lacquer . The old saying was , " You can spray lacquer over enamel but you cant spray enamel over lacquer.

From my time as the editor of a Mopar magazine, the guys in the Mopar hobby taught me a LOT about how things were painted from the factory, versus the replacement parts market. Over the years I also picked up stuff from the guys at Muscle Car Review.

For instance, chassis components as-installed were dipped in black to a certain point, then bare metal, while parts for the replacement market were fully coated. That way they didn't rust on the shelf.

The factories stamped body panels for the crash market long after the model year ended, so your NOS doors weren't necessarily painted as they would have been on assembly-line assembled cabs.

I would guess the factory-installed doors were painted with red oxide, like the cab, not pre-primed in black.

-Brad

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Brad54

From my time as the editor of a Mopar magazine, the guys in the Mopar hobby taught me a LOT about how things were painted from the factory, versus the replacement parts market. Over the years I also picked up stuff from the guys at Muscle Car Review.

For instance, chassis components as-installed were dipped in black to a certain point, then bare metal, while parts for the replacement market were fully coated. That way they didn't rust on the shelf.

The factories stamped body panels for the crash market long after the model year ended, so your NOS doors weren't necessarily painted as they would have been on assembly-line assembled cabs.

I would guess the factory-installed doors were painted with red oxide, like the cab, not pre-primed in black.

-Brad

Great points Brad ! And very accurate .I had to go look inside several doors. One low mile base 66 GMC , lots of bare metal no undercoating, some interior color over spray. One Chevy 1966 C20 , this one it looks like the outer skin is painted but not the frame of the door, this one is undercoated in the middle of the skin and the paint extends to both front and rear edges.
Removed and Looked under some door hinges on cabs and doors, no paint on either, just light surface rust.

It seems as though hoods may have been dipped but then you look at the very front edge and you see surface rust again but not inside the rear of the hood between the rear brace, thats all black. Looked up under some bed sides in between panels and they are black. Would be nice if we could find pictures or films on the painting process .

[likaroc13]

I was at a swap meet in Nashville last month & scored several '60-66 factory brochures. I've been in the process of documenting pics of each page so that I can share with those who may be interested. Below I'm linking to my photo albums with the various brochure pics:

1964 Chevrolet 4-wheel drive model trucks:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsktiKSRx

1960 Chevrolet Pickups:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskthsYVh

1961 Chevrolet Trucks:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskwT6jgT

1960-61 GMC Suburban & Panel:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskwTbtVn

1964-66 GMC Pickups, Panels, Suburbans, & Stakes:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/98543199@N05/9994s4

1964-66 GMC Trucks & Stake Racks (Series 1000-2500):
https://flic.kr/s/aHskwC3Qsg

[Hilandr451]

Originally Posted by yelmer

on 1966 only the door panels are med fawn met. with a flatten agent also the dash on 1966 is dark fawn met with a flatten agent and a ruffing agent they are laq. the dash on 66 must turn darker over the years

This darker color on the dashes in 1966 was intentional, a detail almost always missed. This was done to cut down on windshield glare.

[jbgroby]

The two tone dash went back to '60. All GMC had the darker dash for anti-glare. This shade is NOT the technically correct one, but it is what I LIKED! I included extra pictures showing the breaks in the paint pattern.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

The two tone dash went back to '60. All GMC had the darker dash for anti-glare. This shade is NOT the technically correct one, but it is what I LIKED! I included extra pictures showing the breaks in the paint pattern.

That would be another great discussion Jake. GMCs are a little tougher to find "accurate " Information on.

I've seen 1960 and 1961 GMCs exactly like your dash. Silver interior dark gray dash top.
1962 GMC Fawn interior with dark gray dash top.
1962 GMC Fawn with green dash top to go with the green seat.
1963 GMC, my own truck, solid fawn interior including the dash top in fawn.
1964 GMC ?
1965 , I had a short fleet custom with the green seat but solid fawn interior and dash top and white custom door panels.
My 65 and 66 GMCS both customs all solid fawn interiors and dashes custom seat cloth fawn ish and white door panels.
Then theres the 1966 GMC Buddy bucket trucks with the dark dash tops.

So how many years was the green seat with the green dash top offered ?
How many years offered the two tone dash ? It seems like 63-66 were excluded and some years optional.??

[likaroc13]

These are from the '60-61 GMC Suburban & Panel album I linked in post #308:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 60-66

That would be another great discussion Jake. GMCs are a little tougher to find "accurate " Information on.

I've seen 1960 and 1961 GMCs exactly like your dash. Silver interior dark gray dash top.
1962 GMC Fawn interior with dark gray dash top.
1962 GMC Fawn with green dash top to go with the green seat.
1963 GMC, my own truck, solid fawn interior including the dash top in fawn.
1964 GMC ?
1965 , I had a short fleet custom with the green seat but solid fawn interior and dash top and white custom door panels.
My 65 and 66 GMCS both customs all solid fawn interiors and dashes custom seat cloth fawn ish and white door panels.
Then theres the 1966 GMC Buddy bucket trucks with the dark dash tops.

So how many years was the green seat with the green dash top offered ?
How many years offered the two tone dash ? It seems like 63-66 were excluded and some years optional.??

There's a '61 Apache 40 stakebed in a local junkyard here with a black painted dash top. It's all original paint. Standard, not Deluxe cab.

-Brad

[60-66]

Heres some Chevy and GMC dashes, some are painted very similar, GMCs did several different things to their dashes. First picture is 1960 and 1961 GMC, .

1960 and 1961 GMC Charcoal gray and Silver Gray


60 Chevy standard cab Charcoal gray and Silver Gray


1961 Chevy Custom Charcoal gray and Silver Gray


1962 GMC Charcoal gray and Fawn


This is a 1962 or 1963 GMC , the only picture I had with the green dash top and fawn, you can just see the top. This truck slipped through my fingers years ago.



1962 1963 Chevy standard cab Fawn and white


1962 and 1963 Chevy Custom cab Fawn and white


1963 GMC solid fawn interior



1964 Chevy with fawn column and wheel not custom



1964 with white column and white steering wheel.



1965 Chevy standard


1966 Chevy standard


1966 Chevy Custom


1964 1965 1966 GMC custom

[60-66]

"The Hubcap Thread". Here are several examples of most of the 1960-1966 Chevrolet hubcaps by year, size and GM part number. Included are the G series hubcaps for 13 inch wheels, both 1/2 ton styles , clip and nub, along with 4x4 hubcaps and the 20 and 30 series truck hubcaps with measurements. Also some comparisons to reproduction hubcaps for 1966. If there is something written by mistake please let me know so it can be corrected.

Definition of terms, "Clip" and "Nub". You will see these terms used often in this thread. "Clip" for this thread refers to the type of rim the particular hubcap fits on and fastens to. These rims use clips that are riveted to the rim. Two different size inner rings were used inside the hubcap. 1/2 ton 6 lug, clip rims came in 15,16 and 17.5 diameter and used a 7 5/8 inside diameter hubcap. 3/4 to 1 ton clip 8 lug rims came in 15,16,17,17.5 and 19.5 diameter and used a 8 3/4 inside diameter hubcap. The term "Nub" is for the more common rim and hubcap where the hubcap fits over 3 nubs on 1961-1966 rims. Those rims came in 15 and 16 inch diameter and used a 10 1/8 inside diameter hubcap.

Corvairs come into this thread also. From my limited research of this model , 1961 1962 1963 Corvair Rampside trucks used the same hubcap as 1961-1963 C10 pickups. Corvairs however used a 14 inch "nub" wheel. 1964 Corvair rampside trucks also used the 1964 C10 hubcaps. 1964-1966 introduced G series and used a 13 inch rim and hubcap with the option of a 14 inch rim and the same hubcap as a C10. If theres any Corvair or G series enthusiasts that can shed more light here it might prove useful.

This first picture represents, almost, one of each hubcap available for 1960-1966. There are a few missing that I haven't found but for the most part each year has an example including the G-10 hubcaps for 13 inch wheels.



1960 Full wheel cover for 1/2 ton , same as 1956 Chevy car. Pictures courtesy of Ebay.



For 1960, Chevrolet carried over the same hubcap from 1957, 1958 and 1959 trucks. From left to right in the first picture; 1) 3/4-1 ton 4x4 front GM PT #3765837; 2)1957-1960 3/4-1 ton painted GM PT #3743591; 3) 1957-1960 3/4 ton-1 Ton Chrome GM PT #3743592; 4) 1957-1960 1/2 Ton 4x4 painted GM PT #3765832; 5) 1957-1960 1/2 ton painted GM PT # 3734031; 6) 1957-1960 1/2 ton Chrome GM PT # 3734032 .


Some comparison photos of the 1960 1/2 Ton VS 1960 3/4-1 ton hubcaps.






1960 4x4 Center hole measurement 1/2 ton .


1960 4x4 Center hole measurement 3/4-1 ton .


1961, 1962 and 1963 seems to be the years Chevrolet had the most hubcaps, all with different applications.
From top left to right. 1st Hubcap is technically a 1962-1963 GMC because of the red paint and carries a GMC only PT#. Chevy would have been solid white and it was used from 1961 to 1962 ONLY, GM PT # 3781648. This hubcap is a 1/2 ton Clip style 4x4 hubcap; 2) is a 1961-1963 painted 1/2 ton clip GM PT #3781650; 3) is a 1961-1963 chrome 1/2 ton clip GM PT #3781675; 4) is a 1961-1962 Chevy 4x4 1/2 ton NUB style hubcap GM PT #3781648; 5) is a 1961-1963 1/2 ton painted NUB GM PT #3780114 and 6) is a chrome 1961-1963 1/2 ton NUB GM PT #3780115.

Second row Left to right; 1) 1961-1963 3/4-1 ton chrome GM PT #3781676; 2) is a 1961-1963 3/4-1 ton painted GM PT #3781651 and 3) is a 1961-1962 3/4 ton - 1 ton 4x4 GM PT #3781652.

(For GMC only, the 4x4 hubcaps shown here are from 1962-1963 , Chevy used the 4x4 hubcap for 1961 and 1962 only. 1963 and up Chevy 4x4 trucks came without hubcaps.)



Same order as above but rear view.


1961, 1962, 1963 Half Ton Nub

1961, 1962, 1963 1/2 ton clip

1961, 1962, 1963 3/4 1 ton clip


Size height difference between 1/2 nub , 1/2 ton clip and 3/4-1 ton clip hubcaps.


1961, 1962 4x4 center hole 3/4-1 ton.

1961, 1962 4x4 center hole 1/2 ton.


For 1964 to 1965 Chevrolet hubcaps, the Chevrolet parts book refers to these as "first design" . I believe its been said that for 1966 they strengthened the hubcap with the ridge around the outer edge of the center triangular part of the hubcap.

1964-1965 top left to right. 1) 1964-1965 3/4-1 ton painted GM PT #3875621; 2) 1964-1965 3/4-1 ton chrome GM PT # 3875622; (empty space three NO PICTURE 1964-1965 1/2 ton painted clip GM PT # 3839984); 4) is a 1964-1965 1/2 ton clip chrome GM PT #3839982; 5) 1964-1965 painted nub GM PT #3839978; 6) 1964-1965 chrome Nub GM PT # 3839983. Bottom right is a 1964 1965 G-10 Chrome hubcap GM PT # 3848661 with the painted version being 3843809.


1964-1965 Rear view.






1964 1965 smooth face as compared to 1966 with ridge



1964 1965 G-10 13 inch hubcap GM PT #3843809 painted, 3848661 chrome .



G-10 Hubcap compared to C10 hubcap.





The 1966 hubcap is a one year only hubcap . The 1966 GM parts book refers to these as "Second design" . The newer the parts book you look in, these 1966 part numbers group 1964-1965 and 1966 as one hubcap. However that is not the way these trucks came off the assembly line but was GMs way of cutting "cost" , maybe and substituting one part for another. The parts history book shows one of the 1964 1965 part numbers was superseded by the 1966 hubcap as early as July of 1966 .

Below are all the 1966 hubcaps; 1) 1966 C20 C30 Painted GM PT #3875621; 2) 1966 C20 C30 Chrome GM PT #3875622; 3) 1966 C10 Clip Painted GM PT #3875625; 4) 1966 C10 Clip Chrome GM PT # 3875623; 5) 1966 C10 NUB painted GM PT#3875620; 6) 1966 C10 NUB Chrome GM PT # 3875624 . Bottom from Left to right; 7) 1966 G-10 Chrome for 13 inch wheels 3875630; 8) 1966 G-10 Painted for 13 inch wheels 3875631; 9) Bottom far right is the current reproduction C10 hubcap, see bottom of post for more information.



Rear view of 1966 hubcaps same order as above.


1966 C20 C30 Hubcap measurement.

1966 C10 Clip style hubcap measurement.

1966 C10 NUB style hubcap measurement

1966 G-10 Van hubcap measurement.


1966 Half ton Nub hubcaps. NOS GM on the left compared to current reproduction on the right. The hubcap on the far right, the bowtie "wings" are considerably shorter top to bottom and the center square is taller. The overall stamping is more squared off and has sharper corners. This reproduction hubcap is still chrome over brass like the original chrome hubcaps. It should be mentioned that none of the chrome hubcaps were Stainless steel in this 1960-1966 era. All of the painted hubcaps are steel.




Here is another example of a second reproduction hubcap in the center of the picture below. Its a much closer version but its been discontinued now for roughly ten years. Here's a comparison of all three. I measured them with a dial caliper. From left to right; 1) original on left; 2) the "Good" reproduction in the center and 3) the currently available hubcap far right.

For the bowtie "wings" I will call them:
1) Original measures .593
2) GOOD reproduction .500
3) reproduction .463

Center of the bowtie or center square:
1) Original measures .890 tall
2) GOOD reproduction .820 tall
3) Current reproduction .992 tall

Now you can see why the one on the far right is so disproportionate to the others. Also notice the ridge around the center is more rounded on the first two, compared to the one on the far right .

[aotte1]

Power Brake Booster Color

What is the correct color for '64 power brake booster, is it black, what level of gloss? We can make this an answer for '60 to '66 power brake booster color.

Have seen a few photos of this style booster on trucks that were not black, rather plated.

60-66 posted earlier, in another thread on I6 power steering, a photo of his '63 NOS booster, it looks like it is gloss or semi-gloss black.

60-66, responded to PM on this question with the following answer, posting here to share information.

"I have only seen, or have, one plated booster and its on my 63 1 ton panel. All the NOS ones I have are semi gloss black. My 66 GMC came factory ordered and the gold 66 4x4 was factory ordered with PB and both are semi gloss black, similar to Chevy inner fenders etc. Usually on cars, the Delco boosters were plated and the Bendix boosters were black. I just haven't seen but one or two plated ones ever on trucks.

A few photos of one I am using, the rod connecting to cab brake lever is gold cad., have not cleaned it at all yet.

thanks,
Les

[60-66]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Power Brake Booster Color

What is the correct color for '64 power brake booster, is it black, what level of gloss? We can make this an answer for '60 to '66 power brake booster color.

Les

Heres a link to another NOS one you can look at Les,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-1961-19...p2047675.l2557

[aotte1]

Thanks for reference to the NOS brake booster, very helpful information.
Winning bid by 3 seconds!!! And interesting/ good, that so many people bid.

Les

[LT1 Burb]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Thanks for reference to the NOS brake booster, very helpful information.
Winning bid by 3 seconds!!! And interesting/ good, that so many people bid.

Les

You know what's funny is this one went for 504 and another NOS one just sold for I think 160, which was a smoking deal.

[jonzcustomshop]

that hub cap post is really nice!


"1966 Half ton Nub hubcaps NOS GM Compared to reproduction. Bowtie is considerably shorter top to bottom. Stamping is more squared off."

any ideas why the bowtie is not correct?
just poor design, or do they have to do that because of the trademark?

[60-66]

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

You know what's funny is this one went for 504 and another NOS one just sold for I think 160, which was a smoking deal.

It was really hard to tell on that second one because of poor pictures, but the master cylinder looked totally wrong and Im thinking the booster was something else other than truck and in the wrong box. Normally these kits did not have a master cylinder with them. The biggest part of that last sale going so cheap was, it was missing most the hardware , like the aluminum shim and pedal pad etc.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

that hub cap post is really nice!


"1966 Half ton Nub hubcaps NOS GM Compared to reproduction. Bowtie is considerably shorter top to bottom. Stamping is more squared off."

any ideas why the bowtie is not correct?
just poor design, or do they have to do that because of the trademark?

Thank you Jon.

I talked to one of the guys in purchasing for the Truck Shop about that. He said "it doesn't matter" , he went on to say, they didn't want to spend the time and money to fix what most people don't know or care enough about. There was one more company making these reproduction hubcaps but I think "They" quit making them 10 or so years ago. Owner has since passed away . He told me that ALL of his products came back from Taiwan to meet his approval . He was licensed by GM. His Bowtie was 98% right on but the background color was more orange than red . I have a couple of these also. He also made the 1960 Chrome 1/2 and 3/4 ton caps and they were the only ones that would stay on the clip rims. I've lost two from a set, of the cheaper brand, off my 60. You can feel the difference when you install them . There again the bowtie is off on the cheaper sets.

[pimpston65]

i'll take all the chrome caps for the clip style rims!!! just pm me the info...

[60-66]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

i'll take all the chrome caps for the clip style rims!!! just pm me the info...

Only if you send me GMCs as a replacement LePimp !

[yelmer]

here is my repop on right nos on left