New owner of 1966 C10 Camper Special

[hairdog]

Hi all. I used to own a 72 C10 but sold it back in 2007. Been truckless since then, until last night when I won an eBay auction for this 66. It's original everything, has quite a "patina" and some rust in the usual places. It runs pretty well but needs new tires right away. I have some plans for it (replace the wood in the bed, maybe weld new steel on the lower fenders which have rusted through) but not planning to do a restore. I'm just happy to be back here as a truck owner. Going to pick it up in Boulder next week. I looked at it this week and decided to make it mine.

[bigmoe]

Cool. Got a link to the listing? or pictures?

[hairdog]

Here it is:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255487327115

[factorystock]

Congratulations. Not easy to find one that is clean and original, the Custom Camper automatically comes with a nice list of comfort and convenience options. Interesting to see the SPID (decal on inside of glove box) for additional factory options. It is a 20 series pickup, the 10 is a listing error. It appears somebody went to the trouble to add clips to modern solid 8 lug bump style wheels to get the original hubcaps to mount, got to give the previous owner credit for doing that, originally, '66 Custom Campers came with 2 piece lock ring 16" wheels with clips.

[hairdog]

The seller said he changed out the original split rims because nobody would service them.

So it's a C20?

I'll post the SPID when I pick her up next week.

[Braunschweiger]

Congratulations, its a nice truck

[MikeN]

Neat truck!

[cwcarpenter98]

Nice purchase! Yes, it should be a C20. Like what factorystock said, the wheels are later model wheels that accept nub style 3/4 ton caps. I hope he added some clips for the hubcaps. Another member here bought a 3/4 ton with later model wheels that had stock hubcaps glued on to the wheels

[jocko]

Congrats, I saw that one too - nice and original original - enjoy!
Definitely a C20 (7500 gvwr).

[hairdog]

Really appreciate everyone's welcome, observations, and advice. Feels so good to be a truck owner again.

[factorystock]

Another observation, appears to be a 327, note the bypass hose to the pump.

[sodly]

We have sister '66 Custom Campers from Murphy Mahoney in Denver! Maybe they sat on the lot together. Mine is also a 327 but with at TH400 automatic. Yours is the only other Murphy Mahoney Chevy truck I've run across. Fun to see another original truck!

[hairdog]

Originally Posted by sodly

We have sister '66 Custom Campers from Murphy Mahoney in Denver! Maybe they sat on the lot together. Mine is also a 327 but with at TH400 automatic. Yours is the only other Murphy Mahoney Chevy truck I've run across. Fun to see another original truck!

Howdy sister! You've put a lot of work into her, obviously. Thanks for the pics

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by hairdog

You've put a lot of work into her, obviously.

A lot of elbow grease work, that is a well preserved original. We never get enough glimpses of that one! Thanks, Sodly!

[Getter-Done]

I like it.

I really like those type of rear bumpers.

[sodly]

Looks like the same "Sports-Liner" rear bumper as mine.

[my04]

Congrats, very cool truck! Welcome to the club...

[EdWeeds]

Shouldn't the engine be sea foam green in color rather than Chevy orange or was that just in the C10s?

[factorystock]

Yes, should be a greenish color originally, engine rebuilders usually always paint older Chevy V8's orange.

[hairdog]

Finally got her to her new home. First stop will be new wheels and tires, probably next week. Then, it seems like a new battery is in order and probably a tune up. As I recall from my 72 Chevy pickup, this can be an expensive hobby.

[factorystock]

Glad to see it made it home. These projects can get very expensive if you want it to look and drive like new truck, but if you just want a clean survivor, just do the basics. Start with the maintenance items, then move on to missing pieces and or installing correct pieces. Sodly's truck is a great reference to the way it looked new. Extra gas tanks were an aftermarket item found typically on ex camper haulers for more range between fill ups. Rocker and lower fenders repair panels are available and are common rust repairs on these trucks. I would not repaint after any repairs, just leave these spots primed. New wheels? What's on there now? 16.5? New 16.5" radials are still available.

[hairdog]

Originally Posted by factorystock

New wheels? What's on there now? 16.5? New 16.5" radials are still available.

Yeah, 16.5, but Discount Tire quoted me 225 a tire for that size!

[Getter-Done]

I would keep those rims and hubcaps.
You may regret it later if you don't.














y

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Glad to see it made it home. These projects can get very expensive if you want it to look and drive like new truck, but if you just want a clean survivor, just do the basics. Start with the maintenance items, then move on to missing pieces and or installing correct pieces. Sodly's truck is a great reference to the way it looked new. Extra gas tanks were an aftermarket item found typically on ex camper haulers for more range between fill ups. Rocker and lower fenders repair panels are available and are common rust repairs on these trucks. I would not repaint after any repairs, just leave these spots primed. New wheels? What's on there now? 16.5? New 16.5" radials are still available.

Interesting idea to leave repaired spots primed. I get the the vibe, but this truck looks to have no repair spots at all, currently. An alternative would be to clean the existing paint to whatever level you want it to be (or not clean it), and then go to a local automotive paint supply place and have them scan it with their little laser gun. And then they can mix you paint to match the paint you have, in it's faded state. You could also ask them to add a certain amount of flattening agent. Or just don't wax that area and let it weather a little bit. In addition to primer contrasting with the paint color, most of them do not seal against moisture. So if you are going to go with primer spots, make sure to get one that is a primer/sealer.

[hairdog]

I didn't realize that basic print doesn't seal. I like you matching paint idea. Thank you both for these pointers.