Most of you who live where it’s nice and warm year-round don’t realize what seeing a sudsy bucket and a hose sitting next to an old vehicle does to us in the upper-Midwest. It’s one of the first signs of spring and something that most of us car guys and gals look forward to – a new year, a fresh start. This 1963 GMC 1000 pickup is having something of a fresh start being listed as a Barn Finds Exclusive by Ivan M. Ivan is asking $7,000 for this solid looking truck, below NADA’s low retail value – this is one to check out.
This truck has a great look in my opinion, I really like the blacked-out portions. Normally I’m a keep-things-stock guy but on a truck like this that adds a bit of pizzazz, if that’s a word that can be used to describe the look of a 55-year old half-ton pickup. The seller says that it “needs a good detail job” and it does look like a solid example.
I’m assuming that the body has been painted, you can see the bright blue doors and the body looks like gray primer in some photos but it looks like a light silver-blue in others, maybe it’s just faded from the Albuquerque sun. I love that town. Ivan says that the “bed wood needs to be replaced” and that it’s “from New Mexico dry country no rust bottom of truck”.
The interior could use a quick browse through the ol’ LMC Truck catalog and you’ll soon load up on a few replacement parts and this thing will be looking crisp and clean again. They say that it has a “good interior, good instrument panel 4 speed standard transmission.” Yes, a 4-speed transmission! This is GMC’s half-ton which would have been known as a 1000 but they didn’t really use a “C” for two-wheel drive pickup like Chevy did, although they did use a “K” for four-wheel drive pickups. Does anyone know why that was? That seems strange to me.
And, this isn’t the V6 that was available in GMC pickups of this era, this is a 350 cubic-inch V8. This must have been a replacement or an upgrade as I don’t think that a 350 V8 was available in these trucks in 1963? In any case, it’s a “good engine in running condition” and some detailing would go a long way under the hood. These trucks are hot, hot, hot right now and this one seems like it could be a nice project for someone if it just needs the usual (belts, hoses, fluids, filters, tires, etc.) and cosmetic work. Thanks to Ivan for listing this 1963 GMC 1000 pickup as a Barn Finds Exclusive!
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Asking Price: $7,000
Mileage: 89,000
Title Status: Clean
Nice truck. I can only hope they didn’t paint over that cool chrome grill GMC’s were known for ( they did come in white too which I’d prefer over black. This would have probably had the 305 V6,(with plaid valve covers, maybe?) and for some reason, I’m finding with my ’77 GMC, C is for 2 wheel drive, and K is 4 wheel in most parts books.(oops, I mean parts screens) Take it from me, driving an old pickup takes some getting used to again, and this a lot of money for an old truck. You’ll find THAT out on the test drive. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy these sight unseen, you may be disappointed, and out $7g’s, to boot. Ask Scotty, if it’s not what you like, you rarely get back what you paid for this stuff. (unless, of course, the novelty of these is worth $5 grand to you)
Think the 350 came out in ‘67. Nice truck.
Ive always wanted a 305 v6.
What the heck, Joe, let’s go all out with the “Thunder V12”,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mospeedimages/21482822392
Joe-You might be hit with sticker shock when ya see your gas bill at the end of the month-these big V-6’s got HORRIBLE economy…
The 350 came out in 1968,in 67 it was a either a 283 or a 327.
I love these old Gm trucks,and have watched their following grow larger
every year for at least the last 20 years.This truck looks like a very solid
project,but price seems a bit high..?,but these are in demand now so…
I expect someone will be glad to get it at that price.A real intense
detail job would go a long ways on that interior.Nice truck,and I hope there are more out there like it..!
@Madmatt- actually the 350 was introduced in limited numbers in the 1967 Camaro SS.
https://www.myclassicgarage.com/knowledge-base/1967-Chevrolet-Camaro
Thanks Jack, I never knew that, but Iam always “learning”…..
when Iam not busy “forgetting”..LOL
Why is it generally a GMC pickup will bring less money than their cousin the Chevy pickup? An owner of a junkyard made that observation to me.
And they generally cost a little more when they were new. I’ve seen many GMC trucks turned into Chevy’s over the years.
I had a ’61 identical to this one. Originally came w/ a 283, was swapped out for a 350 b/4 I got it. The 4 speed was really a 3 speed w/ a granny. She had some real stiff gears, turned some serious rpm’s at highway speeds. She would tow my 3500# boat down the road like it wasn’t even back there.
The blacked out grill reinforces my desire to see one of these done with an RS style grill.
Chevy built a one off in 67…
Looks to me to be a touch more than just a detail. Still I love it, and the price seems reasonable. I remember the 305 ci V6 well, coupled with that granny gear 4 speed it was quite the stump puller. I also remember how much road noise was transmitted into the cab at highway speeds, if your use too modern pickups this is going to be a whole different world. I agree with Rube, if you have never driven an old truck like this try one before you plop down $7g’s.
Its interesting to watch the interest in these grow. Great trucks. We have a 65 GMC and been a workhorse for me for last 30 years. We call her the “Old Gray Mare”. When I got it for $250 it had a blown straight six & 3 on the tree. Swapped in a 350 SBC and Turbo 350 with shift kit and B&M Star shifter. Great truck.
Upgrading it a little over the next year. (overdrive trans & other bits)
If only I had the money…
the chain hanging over the grill suggests a hood latch might be needed.