Just want to share my Grandfather's truck-a 63 C10. I'm in my mid-forties and I remember driving with my grandfather as a very young child. He was not the original owner, but he kept it in a barn in Petaluma California and just used it for "going into town". It was a second vehicle for him and my grandmother so it did not get a ton of use. I never got the details on who he purchased the truck from-would have loved to understand the history of it a little better-I do know it was local to the Petaluma California area.
I remember it stopped working as a teenager and my grandfather said it had a hole in the block and did not run. I'm guessing a thrown rod?
My father and uncle (a professional mechanic) replaced the engine about 18 years ago after my grandfather passed away (about 10k miles ago). It has a straight six and three on the column. My father passed away a few years ago and I had the truck shipped out to where I live-Maryland. I've had in my garage for a few years-only drive it during the summer. Runs like a top! Luckily it's always had a roof over its head and it's never seen a salty road. My father (a professional carpenter) put a cover of plywood over the wood in the back. He said it was in great shape and just wanted to protect it. He told me to make sure I use a penetrating oil to protect wood-I put on the oily coat every year. The boards look good from under the truck. I have the original "wide" side mirrors but I took them off for now so it fits in my garage a little better.
It's funny because my dad told me not to baby the truck because it's "just a work truck". I take care of it like it's a million-dollar Ferrari! It amazes me how sturdy it is. The metal is so thick compared to today's vehicles. It has just a little rust on the back of the front quarter panels-everything else is just surface rust-it's amazing to me.
Let me know if you guys want to see additional pictures of something specific.
Welcome to the Stovebolt madness. There is no cure!
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
It's registered and drives on the road just fine. I've had it up to 60-65mph no problem. I'm in Parkton Maryland (21120). I'm all the way up 83 north-not far from the Pennsylvania border.
Ben, your a lucky man! Always loved that style as I worked at the dealership after school in '65. Take care of it....and it will always take care of you. Thanks for sharing.
In the early 1980's my buddy had a twin to your truck...it was full of upstate NY rust but still have a lot of memories doing stupid stuff with it...same color on his truck too...they are good trucks for that era for sure...
Good luck with the project....looks awesome from here.
MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-Ton Howard Knapp In the Stovebolt Gallery 1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017) 1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016)
OK guys, hate to say it but I'm considering selling my Grandpa's truck. I've driven it once in a year and I'd really like to put my daily driver in the garage-no room with Grandpa's truck and my wife's car.
Million dollar question-what's it worth? I'm sure some will say "it's worth what you can get the right person to pay for it". Here's the thing, my neighbor approached me yesterday and said he's interested in it. He's a good guy. Asked me what I want for it. I told him I have too much sentimental to provide a fair price and I'd ask you guys.
I can post more pics if you guys need it-thanks for the help.
Ben, you said CONSIDERING to sale it......well, don't, you'll regret it for many years. It has some small things to "fix" but nothing like many of here have experience. Do as admonished, drive the truck, use it, it will thank you for it. A truck will earn its keep.... a car is an absess on a man's pocket book!!
Now, take all that in stride. One thing we are not short on here is "opinions". lol
Price?? I like to use the "Old Cars Weekly" price GUIDE....yes, GUIDE. It gives condition from a #1 to a #6 basket case. I take it your truck is a 3/4 ton so.......... #6- 1,360 #5- 4,080 #4- 6,800 #3- 15,300 #2- 25,200 #1- 36,000
Now, since its a 6 Cylinder deduct 20% Judging from only the pictures in your first post I'd say you have somewhere between a # 4 and #5. The math there figures out to be 5300.......
DISCLAIMER: This is truly a guesstimate. Actual inspection and condition will rule as pictures can hide a thousand flaw's.....does it have new tires, have documentation on the rebuild ect will help......and to sell it, clean it up and drive it. Let folks know its running and see you around town in it. Then put a Forsale sign on it. (by then you will probably decide you can't get along without it)!
( I started to move this to the greasy spoon but I think you can get the idea here.....and other may chime in with their "opinions".)
Let us know what you decide...and if willing what you sold it for. Knowledge is the Best Resource!!
very much appreciate the info and knowledge. I think its an easy #4 based on condition and right inline with my estimate based on actual condition. Thank you.
My father gave me his 66 GMC pickup. I used it for several years. My wife nagged me into selling it 20 years ago. I wish I had of kept it now, but at least its got a good owner who has rodstorated it.
Another quality post. Real Trucks Rattle HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
Ben, I dont recall if you mentioned that you have kids (dont need to tell us), but the truck will be a part of any relationship you have with them. It will be a connection to your father and grandfather that passes through the generation. If and when you get there, it will become imminently clear. So I say dont sell the truck even if you are not using it currently. It is more than an (currently) unused mode of transport.
But if you do, keep track of the new owner, in case you need to find it again. Hard to say on value, but I think between #4 and #5 makes for a quick sale (based on your description). Slightly higher than #4 if you wait and find the right buyer.
Have you been tracking on the ODSS Homecoming event coming up this spring in Lexington VA? Sounds like you might need some therapy and that event is the ticket. Hambone
~ HB 1966 Chevrolet K-10 | Ghost: formerly Flappy Fenders | In the Stovebolt Gallery 1962 Chevrolet C10 1962 Suburban
