1965 GMC 910 1/2-Ton

"Red Barron" Owned by Dennis Weatherald Wawota Saskatchewan, Canada

From Dennis:

Hi there! Love this site!

Here is an update on my Cowboys Cadillac -- a 1965 GMC 910 1/2-ton pickup, longbed, Fleetside, custom cab which had a 283 V8 motor and 3 on-the-tree tranny.

The truck had been sitting in an abandoned yard site for some 30 years and the trees had grown up around it. I was able to purchase it for $200 (Cdn) and this included a second 283 with Powerglide auto transmission from a '66 Chev Bellaire that was nearby. The two engines were used to make one. The original engine, I'm afraid, was shot because of the oil bath air cleaner was feeding water into the engine! Why can't people who rob parts put the hood down?!?!

Body problems are the typical ones in the '60-'66 models ... floor boards and toe panels rusted out, cab supports with corrosion holes, inner fenders with minor corrosion, lower rear of the front fenders with cancer, and the bottom of the tailgate is kaput. Nothing that can't be replaced or fixed.

My goal was to have a great daily (or at least weekend) driver. I'm trying to retain the original truck with many upgrades for comfort and drivablility so here goes with the list:

• Engine was rebored .040 and a highlift cam, headers and dual Flowmaster exhaust were installed
• American Racing Baja cast aluminum rims 15-7 front and 15-10 rear
• BF Goodrich T/A radials 245/60r15s with 295/50r15 rear, one piece driveshaft, 308 rears
• Disk front brakes with 2 1/2inch drop spindles from Classic industries. NO power brakes or steering! I do not need it.
• PPG paint in (original) metallic crimson with bright red Pearlescence (not original) clearcoat [ pix ]
• Gas tank was moved to the box with a second front bulkhead and sheeted in on top with the filler access on top. This made more leg room in the cab (I'm 6'4"!)
• A refinished white/cream leather bench seat
• New replacement body parts consisted of front and rear chrome bumpers, new front fenders and tailgate
• New oak bed floor & toneau cover, new windshield, halogen headlights [ before / after ]
• Ipod / amplifier sound system w/ custom enclosures and subwoofer [ interior ]

Literally every nut and bolt has been taken apart over the last four years. From the pictures you can tell it was a frame off restoration. (And here's a surprise picture of "the pair") Lots of sand blasting! Bodywork took forever... but the finished product has been all worth it. I'm proud that I can say I did very everything myself.

Anyone has a questions or advice I'm all ears!

GoodDay,

Dennis Weatherald

14 February 2005
# 1023

From Dennis: 

      Hello. I have a project submission for you to post in your gallery. "Red Barron" [ pix ] is a 1965 GMC 910 1/2-ton pickup, longbed, fleetside, custom cab which had a 283 V8 motor and 3 on-the-tree trany.

      The truck had been sitting in an abandoned yard site for some 30 years and the trees have grown up around it. I was able to purchase it for $200 (cdn) and this included a second 283 with Powerglide auto transmission from a '66 Chev Bellaire that was nearby. The two engines will be used to make one and they are about to go to the shop for rebuild and modification. The original engine I'm afraid was shot because of the oil bath aircleaner feeding water into the engine! Why can't people who rob parts put the hood down?!?!

      Body problems are the typical ones in the '60-'66 models ... floor boards and toe panels rusted out, cab supports with corrosion holes, inner fenders with minor corrosion, lower rear of the front fenders with cancer, and the bottom of the tailgate is kaput. Nothing that can't be replaced or fixed.

      The goal is to have a great daily (or at least weekend) driver. I'm trying to retain the original truck with many upgrades so here goes with the list of "To Do's":

• Engine is to be rebored, headers and dual exhaust
• Baja cast aluminum rims 15-7 front/245/60r15s and 15-10 rear with 295/50r15
• BF Goodrich T/A radials
• Disk front brakes with 2 1/2inch drop spindles
• PPG paint in metallic crimson (red) with pearlescence clearcoat
• Gas tank will be moved to the box with a second front bulkhead and sheeted in on top with the filler access on top. This will make more leg room in the cab (I'm 6'4"!) for ...
• The refinished white/cream leather bench seat, and ....
• A new oak bed floor
• Too many other little thing to list!

      I'll be sure to post pics on the way back up this ladder. Anyone has a question or advice I'm all ears! :)

GoodDay,

Dennis Weatherald

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