The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks what a shame

Well, guys, I just got home from looking at a '65 C10 and am so torn between buying/not buying. This is a one-family owned truck that has been well cared for, spending a lot of its time under a carport. It was repainted 10+ years ago (original red/white) and without a couple small exceptions, still looks amazing. The original 283 was swapped for a 350 some years back. but, although I didn't drive it, Supposedly runs out great. Now for the kickers: straight shift on the column, no AC, no PS or PB....... and it's a long bed. I have been really looking for one of these '63-'66 trucks and they are perfect and expensive, or junk and still not cheap (considering they need everything)! The long bed is somewhat of an issue for me but the other things are more so. Vintage AC probably $2,500, converting the brakes and steering to power, I don't know, maybe $1,500? But this is as straight of a truck as you will find, even the inside of the bed. The passenger door has rust bubbling in the corners, probably from rain getting in and sitting there. Interior/dash is super nice and original too. This is a Ga. truck. Asking $20k. After the mods, at $25k, is it worth that, still being a long bed and manual tranny? I wouldn't want to shorten it, but might switch to an auto trans.

Without seeing it in person it sounds overpriced. Northeast states and Atlantic east coast will ask higher prices than Midwest and north central.

I have not personally seen a stock 60-66 that looked to be worth over 15-16K.
Ok, now I’ve said things that might offend someone. Not trying to do that. It’s all how you want to spend your time and money. If you enjoy owning and driving MORE than the fixing and wrenching, then find one that you can’t live without. Sounds like you have not found your hearts’ desire with this truck.

I think you make the case already for your decision. If you want short bed and PS/PB and automatic then be patient and go find that. Someone else will buy and enjoy what otherwise is a very suitable truck for their wants and needs.

What they said.

If you buy a truck you don’t want you will regret it until you try to sell it to buy the one you really want. At that point you will regret it even more.

The value of these trucks falls way off for a long bed truck compared to the short bed. Thats why so many are getting cut down.
Power strg & brakes & a/c are rare on this era. You will more then likely have to ad them on to one you get.

George

Thanks for the encouragement to do what my gut was telling me to do, guys! While I really do love the '63-'66 body style trucks, I like the '67-'72 almost as much, and it's much easier to find the options I want in those. The ps/pb thing is not that big of an issue since that can be added without too much work/expense. And the vintage air, if you get into the truck cheap enough, isn't too bad either (although having these as factory options would be better). The long bed opens up a whole other can of worms. I say that, and I am a welder and not a bad shade-tree guy. Just rather not have to mess with that. I'm still looking. My cousin always tells me "the chase is a big part of the fun", and I think he's right. Thanks again for the input.

I frequently see a really nice red short bed 1963 stepside for sale here in Columbia, SC. I’ll try to find the contact info.

PS and PB upgrade costs 2k once all misc stuff is bought plus labor.
AC is over 2k plus labor

I personally love the long beds. Of course mine is a daily driver. More useful as a truck in my opinion.

Ditto on the long bed- - - - -the full grown truck I just bought has one that measures 12 feet!
Jerry

I agree that the long beds are much more useful, as a work truck, but I usually have a trailer if I need the extra length. Plus the short bed trucks are easier to use around town and in close quarters like parking (what is it with the parking lots now?). Anyway, that's about what I figured, $5k for adding air, PS, PB. I looked at a couple more trucks yesterday and found one to be a very attractive prospect. '72 with a near perfect body and a nice older re-paint (red/white, my favorite). Short bed that is all but perfect inside. One family owned from new. The only body issue is outer rocker rust bubbles and a little bubbling in door corners. But the power accessories and AC would have to be added. I can do all the stuff it needs, and the overall body condition, plus a bed that has hardly been used, is a huge plus for me. I'd much rather do the wrenching than a lot of paint and body work. The areas to have body work are low and in the lower white painted section so that would be all that would need to be painted. Price is about $14k. Still looking, but I'm tempted on this one.

I bought this '63 last year for 20k. It's an older restoration from the early 2000's and it has a later 250 instead of the original 235 but prices are crazy and I've already had offers for more than I paid.

What's wrong with the longbed? Well I say that as someone who'd buy this truck to use as a truck and the full 8' bed is a lot more useful. Definitely agreed on the caveman steering and braking, tho. Would definitely go modern on those, but the kits seem pretty reasonable these days, plus it's just new brake lines and parts :-)

Foss - Take a look at what I just listed for sale on this site. Yep, it's more money but it sounds like what you are looking for.

Tim-o

I overpaid for my 54 back in 1983 but looking at what is selling for the same money I paid back then, I have a giant bargain. But for what I would ask for it now I probably would hear the same things that are being said about your find. Is it worth your effort to get another find to the stage of this one???? BTW I have close to $50,000 in my 54 but amortised over 43 years it is not that much. It comes to $1162.72 a year.

The '63 sported the new 230 engine. That is what was in my '63 C10 and in my '65 Chevy II wagon.

As long as I live, I'll never understand the desirability of the short bed. The proportions are strangely off and it's far less useful as a truck, more like a toy to me. To each his own, of course, but I just don't get it.

Short bed guys would probably rather have a sports car- - - - -but they're married!
LOL
Jerry

LOL Hot rod may be right. I love my long bed, converted to 4 wheel drive. Not a show truck or hot rod. I use it as a truck. Still gets a lot of looks. Now if a wanted a show truck or hot rod truck it would be short bed step side, way back when, working my way across the country, boss had a 67 short bed, 327 4 speed with granny, would do donuts all day, if only he knew, lol

LOL for sure - hilarious!