My first 60-66 truck. Garage find. PO 39 years.

[georgieb51]

I am wondering what I do now. I had heard about this truck for years through family members in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but just recently got the call the owner was finally ready to sell. It has been sitting in the garage, not running for 20 years. No rust except a spot on inside of fender up high. I would like to drive it home to NY State but realize it is going to need a lot of work to get it into running condition. It is C10 with 283, 3 OT with overdrive. No PS or PB. Can anyone local to Colorado Springs recommend a garage that could do all the work to get it in safe running condition? Preferably someone who knows about these trucks? I have owned more than 35 67-72 trucks but know nothing about this 1965 model truck. Also wondering if I paid too much for it at $10K. It has been painted once a long time ago. Thanks, George

[georgieb51]

This truck has 128,000 miles on the original 283. Here are some more photos. I have not seen the truck in person, so I am buying it sight unseen. But I think it might be a good deal. I hope it does not cost a fortune to get it back on the road. I like the camper top, and the owner says he has the original tailgate. I am also told that photo of the bed floor shows the original paint and that the whole bed is in similar condition. I like what looks like the original seat cover.

[The Rocknrod]

That is really a nice truck. Congrats on the purchase. Ya, I'd buy it too.

[msapers]

Great find! That's a really beautiful truck. If I were closer, I'd happily help you get her back on the road.

[georgieb51]

I think this are the last photos. Did these trucks have a SPID in the glovebox?

[The Rocknrod]

I think 65 and up did.

[jchav62]

What a nice truck! Congrats...

[roll_the_dice]

Beautiful Truck...I don't think you overpaid at $10k. A nice original truck with no rust...I would have bought it at $10k. I would get it running and drive it every day. Sorry don't know anyone in CO to help.

I think the SPIDs started in 66... Here is a thread I found...

[oem4me]

Nice truck! Good price too! SPIDs started in '66, so best bet is to look for a build sheet. Try looking in the seat springs both underneath and in the seat back. Yes, that is the original red trimmed seat/cover, available only on certain color trucks. Too bad it has suffered some abuse.
Overall condition is pretty remarkable, given the mileage. It must have been pampered, garage kept most of it's life, or the odometer has never rolled over and shows actual 28,000 miles. At 128K the floor mat is likely to have a heel hole worn in it in front of the gas pedal, and the clutch and brake pedal pads will be somewhat worn. A closer look is in order. Anyway, you scored!

[Steeveedee]

I don't think you got hurt at all. I've seen far worse for a lot more money. I'm jealous, though if I do find a pickup to buy it will be a step side.

[jrusher]

Beautiful truck and great deal!

[LostMy65]

Wow! Good for you! Congrats!

[Captainfab]

That's a nice truck and at a fair price. The mechanicals of a '65 is basically the same as a '67-'70 truck.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That's a nice truck and at a fair price. The mechanicals of a '65 is basically the same as a '67-'70 truck.

Yes. That is important to point out. They really aren't all that different, once you crawl under a few hundred and see them up close.

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

What a Beauty Red Seat a Bonus

[PGSigns]

Super nice truck. That is a great find.
Jimmy

[Corts60]

Wow! Amazing!

I’d like to make a suggestion about getting this truck running: ask Derek at Vice Grip Garage to fly out and get her running for you! He knows Chevy trucks like the back of his hand and his entire business is based around going to different locations and reviving trucks/cars that have been sitting for 10/20/30 years. PLUS he’llmake a video of it while doing it and post it to YouTube so we could all enjoy the experience.

Just go to YouTube and search Vice Grip Garage. His contact info is somewhere on his page. I’ll bet he’ll be cheaper than a regular shop and FAR more experienced. All the kids that work in shops these days have no clue about these trucks and may only cause you grief and wasted money.

Just my two cents.

[LT1 Burb]

Nice rig, I would just have a local garage or a mobile tune guy change the oil,check the brakes, do a tune up and fly in and drive it home. I bought my 66 suburban with a 283, and drove it 1700 miles home without a spare tire

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Wow! Amazing!

I’d like to make a suggestion about getting this truck running: ask Derek at Vice Grip Garage to fly out and get her running for you! He knows Chevy trucks like the back of his hand and his entire business is based around going to different locations and reviving trucks/cars that have been sitting for 10/20/30 years. PLUS he’llmake a video of it while doing it and post it to YouTube so we could all enjoy the experience.

Just go to YouTube and search Vice Grip Garage. His contact info is somewhere on his page. I’ll bet he’ll be cheaper than a regular shop and FAR more experienced. All the kids that work in shops these days have no clue about these trucks and may only cause you grief and wasted money.

Just my two cents.

I have watched some of those Vice Grip garage videos. They are very entertaining to say the least. I had no idea they would travel to do work on a truck for a guy like me. I am guessing he would have to drain the gas tank at least?

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

Nice rig, I would just have a local garage or a mobile tune guy change the oil,check the brakes, do a tune up and fly in and drive it home. I bought my 66 suburban with a 283, and drove it 1700 miles home without a spare tire

The owner is telling me something about how he thinks the truck would need a valve job first before traveling with it. But I could not get hime to explain why he thinks that. Speaking of the tires situation-- this truck has tires that are more than 20 years old. I think it would be a good idea to at least replace them before going on a long trip?

[jrusher]

I wouldn’t worry about a valve job . That’s something to check into down the road if compression is down or it smokes bad on deceleration valve seals usually Like LT1 said drop the oil , check fuel lines for any rotten hoses, bleed the brakes if needed , fresh fuel and go . Make sure all electrical works
I flew down to Oklahoma few years back with the wife and drove my 65 back to Edmonton about 2400 km. Electrical was a mess guy told me everything worked just needed some light bulbs . Well I had no tail lights , no signal lights , no gas gauge only head lights. Wiring was a mess to say the least . Anyways mechanically truck never missed a beat. Was a fun trip and I would do it again in a heart beat

[cwcarpenter98]

Looks like you have a great truck! If you are planning to drive it back, I would be a little worried about the tires. You might be able to get away with it if there's no dry rot cracking, but since that truck is so clean, one of the first things I would do would be to put new tires on it

[oem4me]

Having some work done ahead of a cross-country trip sounds like some potential fun, but does not guarantee a trouble free ride. I'ts kind of impossible to guess at how much or how little prep the trucks needs at this point. Hiring a reputable transporter to carry the truck home eliminates all those questions. No, you won't get same experience, but that might end up being be a good thing? Just something to consider.

[factorystock]

Nice find! I would have it transported, too risky to drive without fully going thru vehicle. Here is what you'll soon discover. Most are not this original. Uncommon to have super straight body, a clean original paint interior with original upholstry. Uncommon to have excellent original wood in bed. Uncommon to have the original un rebuilt 283 ( still has correct dark gray engine color ). This era truck were commonily sold with very few options compared to the heavily optioned '67-'72's. Options on yours appear to be the custom comfort option, V8 option and 3 speed overdrive option. Unfortunately the full syncro didn't appear on pickups till around '67 on some models, so you will have to get use to full stops on the non synchro box, or consider an upgrade to the full synchro 3 speed O.D. (not an easy find) but there out there.

[cwcarpenter98]

I have a 65 non syncro 3 speed overdrive in my truck. When around 5mph or less, I can drop it into 1st without clashing the gears because of the freewheeling action of the overdrive unit. When overdrive is locked out though, then I have to come to a complete stop