Early Chevrolet C-10s are hot commodities these days, especially rust-free clean examples. Most of these trucks were just that, trucks, and they were used as such. As a result of the hard lives most lived, there are very few survivors that are in great condition. And that’s one of the things that makes this example quite the find! It’s in impressive shape inside and out. Reader Jake K rescued this truck from a barn with plans on giving it a complete restoration, but after giving it a good detail and discovering how nice it really is, he’s decided to move it along to someone who will enjoy it. If that person is you, you can find it in the Barn Finds Classifieds or here on eBay in Williston, Florida.
Rust is often an issue for this era of C-10, especially in the cab corners. Upon closer examination, Jake found that the corners and the truck overall to be incredibly solid. He couldn’t find any signs of Bondo, but it’s received a full respray, which Jake notes is not of the highest quality with lots of runs. He believes the respray was done around 1991 and it appears to be the correct color. With careful sanding, the runs in the paint could likely be corrected, but a full repaint might be required to make this truck look perfect again. Since the paint shines nicely, we would be inclined to leave it alone and enjoy it as is.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 283 V8 which is paired to a 3-speed column shift manual transmission. The engine appears to have a few bolt-on upgrades, nothing that can’t be returned back to original easily enough. After getting the truck cleaned up, Jake gave it a full tune-up to make it a driver. He even provided compression numbers for the engine and it looks to be in healthy condition. The odometer is currently showing 61k miles and while he doesn’t have documentation to prove it, we don’t see anything that would suggest the mileage isn’t correct.
The inside still sports its original vinyl floor coverings, plus what’s believed to be all of its original padding/insulation. Overall, the interior shows very nicely and looks to be ready to enjoy as is. It’s a fairly well-optioned truck, all that’s missing is factory air conditioning, and would be a comfortable truck to cruise around in.
The respray is a bit of a bummer from a cosmetic standpoint, but it might have saved this truck from the rust you typically find on these. Cleaning it up and making it look right would take some work, but it’s not an impossible task. The beauty of a find like this is that you can start enjoying it right away as you sort out any of the cosmetic or mechanical issues that annoy you. Personally, we would simply clean up any overspray, get the truck dialed in for daily use, and just enjoy it as a clean and solid driver. These trucks are still going up in value, so if you decide to treat it to a full restoration one day, that’s always an option, but why not enjoy it for a while first?
Between the 1960-1966 Chevy’s and GMC’s, my family had 8 if these great trucks. Sadly, now, we don’t own any! And if anyone knows of a 1964 GMC 1/2 ton, 305V6/4speed, long bed fleetside for sale, please let me know! :)
Doesn’t a Barnsfind classified require a price?
Why the drama?
$15g’s on the ebay part.
I used to prefer the 68 and up model of Chevy truck to this generation. However I have a project car I took on for a customer. A 64 fleet side with the 305E V6 and the 4-speed. It’s a one owner truck that will receive power brakes, power steering, and Holley efi to make it a little more civilized and safer to drive. I must say even though sourcing power steering pulleys and brackets for the V6 was no easy feat I’m totally onboard with the V6. That engine is so overbuilt and smooth running. I too would like to find one especially with the 351E engine. Such a cool truck.
Actually the body style changed in 1967, 66 was the last year for these trucks. A 283 is a strong, reliable and economic little engine. A 4 speed would make this truck almost perfect for me.
Picture of the engine compartment.
Great for you, alphasud!! This likely wasn’t my dads ’64, his had power steering (I think he said it was from an Oldsmobile??). Rock solid truck all around, my first experience with an oil-bath air cleaner too. Best of luck, I am so jealous!
I will post pictures when it’s done. Figured the community would enjoy seeing another classic back on the road.
Sure do, even if we have to stand on our heads to see it,, :)
Now, if it had plaid valve covers ( indicating a factory replacement motor) icing on the cake.
Or maybe he lives near Antarctica where everything is obviously upside down.
Sorry! Had to say it.
Looks like you might be upside down on this one!
Nice truck, someone going to get a sweetheart here. What I’m positive this is, is an older restoration of a very clean truck to begin with. Much more than just a respray. The rubber floor mat, the door scuff plates, pedals, and so on,all show no wear. The underside and engine show a bit more accuracy as to what you get. This was someones baby, and I wouldn’t care about the paint, it’s not a Ferrari, and so much better than the rust bucket appeal of today.
Or maybe he lives near Antarctica where everything is obviously upside down.
Sorry! Had to say it.
I’m not sure why on this site my pictures rotate when sent. Last time time the moderators were able to correct. I suspect it’s the Apple/PC interface. Cold and snowy here today in Idaho. Maybe I am in Antarctica 🥶
You stated the truck was well option but no power brakes, was this an option for the year model?