The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1961 8' stepside: opinion wanted

Came across a '61 c10 8' stepside, with the spare by the left fender.

It is a cool looking truck...we are wondering if it is a rare find...I don't see many around, but I live up north.

Needs a ton of work: It has a six in it that knocks. All typical rust spots are way rusted: rear fenders are detached and held on by metal straps; hood has hole at rear sides, near cowl; floors are shot; rockers gone; cab supports missing; doors typical; running boards ok; bed--original wood, is rotted; all glass is there; seat is torn up; column shift gone and shifter put in floor; suspension looks ok (torsion bars!); frame looks great!; whacky industrial bumper on back; front end amazingly good condition; dashboard is there, mostly. They are asking $500 or make offer. Painted flat black.

thanks for any opinions posted!

Jerry Mann

Toss em an offer....green in the hand goes a long way....

The rust is a little spooky, but for a couple of hundred bucks....what's to lose?

I say take it, and give em an offer thats right. And if all possible, can you post a pic??

- Shane

Hi Jerry

I don't know if the '60 thru '66 models are as popular up north as they are in Georgia, but I would give $500 for a complete truck with a good front end in a minute. Matter of fact I had just a cab and a frame and I gave $850 for a complete 61 that was pretty rough just for the parts I needed to build my '64 (it will be posted in the gallery when they get to it). The part that goes between the front fenders that the grill bolts to is very hard to find. I have not seen a new one for sale. The fenders would be worth at least a hundred apiece and the hood would probably bring at least two hundred. There is some differences that you have to adapt some of the parts like the bed cross braces. The mounts have to be moved in 4 inches on each side because the frame is 8 inches narrower than the '64 thru '66 and the front piece that goes between the fenders have to be noched deeper to fit the frame in front. The dash is different in '64 thru '66 and there are other differences between '60 - '63 and '64 -'66 so if you buy it for parts, stick with the years that the parts will interchange unless you enjoy modification to a great degree. Most people down south want a short bed so you see very few long bed trucks being restored, but the truck is probably worth the money for parts.

Hope this helps you in your decision.
Truck Tinker

lmc has the grill panel for 300 dollars.around here long stepsides are very unpopular.i just bought a 61 short step side in better condition for 250 dollars.

Right you are, Zenish. Just got my new LMC book and hadn't looked at it yet. The Grill Support Panel is a new Item. First I've seen. Also the long step bed is not a popular item here in Ga. although some people are going for the long fleet for fixing-up a everyday driver for looks and hauling purposes. With the side trim, they look quite sporty.

Truck Tinker

1966 Shortbed stepside here. Very easy seller in Georgia. I've been into these bodystyles for quite a few years and have noticed that the longbed stepsides are probably the least desirable of all the variations, in terms of resto- or rod-storation. Seems that the shortbeds (step and fleetside) are equally valuable, with the true "Custom" cabs bringing the most cash. Longbed fleetside would be next and long step last.

Buy the truck if you would just like to have an old truck to tinker with and get your "feet wet" with restoration. That torsion bar front suspension can be very expensive to rebuild, compared to the later '63-66 coil springs. Just don't look for buyers breaking the door down to buy later on. And you won't get as much money as a shortbed either style.

-ftyler

Hey Jerry, sounds like a good parts truck! If you do buy it and want to part it out, I need stuff, drop me a line, thanks.

So is the six a 261 or what?
Boo

C10 should have the 235, if it's original. I agree, the long bed stepside is not a popular truck. That one needs a lot of work, time and money to repair. If you want a truck to tinker with, go with 3 $100s in hand and no extra in your pocket. Make him the offer and tell him that's all you have and see if he will take it.

While we're on the subject of salvageable junk- - - -What's a basically complete early 50's stepside worth, with no running gear? There's one down the road from my farm that's sat in the same place for at least 20 years, no engine, trans, front or rear axle, just a body shell and bed. Sheet metal looks straight, with minimal rust. Don't remember if the windows are there or not. Any guesstimates?
Jerry

lincoln,it seems the parts missing would be rodded anyway.with good sheetmetal,usable frame and glass it should be worth 500-1000 with a title.

Hmmmmm- - - - -
Since I've got an almost zero-miles Caddy 500 engine and turbo 400 trans sitting around, that one might make an interesting project! There's also a Furd 9" rear end somewhere in the junk pile, too!
Jerry