Kevin Barnes' 1963 Chevrolet 1/2-Ton Longbed Fleetside

From Kevin: 

      Hello truck lovers! Here's my 1963 Chevrolet 1/2-ton looong bed. I bought it from a friend who tore it down and spread the parts over three counties in two states! Thanks Bill! :)

      Anyway, with his help, I was able to gather it all back together, and after seven years, it is on the road again!

      It has a crate 350 with an Edelbrock intake and carb, unique dual exhaust exiting together on the right side, and a hounds-tooth orange cloth seat. Thanks to my ultra-cool wife for picking out the seat cloth and surprising me with it for Christmas.

      It is in retro-rod primer right now, because it's cool, and because I could not decide upon the color!

      Anyway, these projects are NEVER really complete, so why not wear it on the outside.

      An interesting fact about my truck is that it has been owned by three friends in a row. Now, this may not seem odd at first, since many friends sell other friends their vehicles. However, with us, our lives are intertwined with this old Stovebolt. Like the truck, we are all Born in the USA, arrived in 1963 (yes, we are all '63 babies!), and all tough as steel! Ha!

      I belong to the Chevy GMC Truck Club of Kansas City.  Here are some additional pictures / information about my Bolt. Hope you like it, and get some inspiration to complete your own cool ride!

CHASSIS

• Frame/Manufacture: Stock, painted with Imron
• Modifications: stock except for see below
• Rearend / Ratio: GM 3:73 posi
• Rear suspension: lowered springs 4", Early Classic Enterprises
• Rear brakes: stock, rebuilt
• Front suspension: 2.5" dropped spindles, Early Classic Enterprises
• Front brakes: disc
• Master cylinder: Dual, powder coated, Early Classic Enterprises
• Steering: power, 67-72 gearbox and pump
• Steering column: ididit steel tilt painted DP90
• Front wheel make, size: Rallys powdercoated orange, 15 inch
• Rear wheel make, size: same as front
• Front tire make, size: BF Goodrich Radial TA P24560R15
• Rear tire make, size: BF Goodrich Radial TA P25560R15
• Fuel tank: custom relocated under bed, 19 gallon, No Limit Engineering

ENGINE

• Year and Make: crate motor from GM, pre-1985
• Displacement: 350 c.i. ENGINE Camshaft: stock
• Heads: stock
• Valve covers: chrome
• Manifold/Induction: Edelbrock Performer
• Air Cleaner: Edelbrock
• Ignition/Wires MSD: Accel HEI
• Headers: block huggers
• Exhaust: Custom duals exiting together on the right, forward of the rear wheel, made by Adams Muffler, Liberty, MO

TRANSMISSION

• Year/Make: 1962 Borg Warner T-10 4 spd
• Converter: nope TRANSMISSION Shifter: T&F shifter

BODY

• Style/Material: stock steel
• Manufacturer: Chevrolet
• Modifications: filled gas tank hole in cab
• Hood: stock BODY Grille: stock
• Bed: stock
• Body Man: myself and Pat Kissinger, Quality Auto Body, Platte City, MO
• Painter: myself
• Paint type/Color: PPG DP90 / flat black 'suede'
• Pinstriping: none
• Head/Tail Lights: stock
• Mirrors: stock

INTERIOR

• Dashboard: steel painted orange enamel
• Air Cond.: Vintage Air
• Steering Wheel: Chevy Duty
• Wiring: Painless Wiring Kit
• Seats: stock bench, covered with '69 Camaro Pace Car orange and black hounds tooth and black vinyl
• Upholsterer: NKC Auto Trim
• Material/Color: black and orange
• Carpet/Color: It's a truck! Rubber Mat for this baby!
• Gauges: VDO
• Stereo/Speakers: AM/FM tape deck

Thanks for lookin'.

Kevin Barnes
"chevykevy63"
Liberty, Missouri