Need a model suggestion for my first resto project

Toonces · August 23, 2017

Hi. I'm new to the board and I've come to see if the good people here can help me narrow down a pickup truck model to focus on as a rebuild project. Lately I've been learning some about the 60-66 trucks and decided this is the style I'd like to focus on. But before I get into the project details, a little about myself..

I'm a self taught reasonably competent mechanic that's been doing all my car maintenance (except deep engine, clutch or trans work) for the last 20 years or so. I have some body (bondo, primer and wet sanding) experience but haven't done much in the way of dent removal or panel replacement. Although I don't have a lot of welding experience mig welding comes naturally enough. If I don't know how to do something I ask questions, and with good advice can usually get the job done.

So, what I'm looking for.. Basically I'd like to find a good, what I'd call 'atomic era' truck of early to mid 60s (or 50s possibly) to get into good shape and use as a work truck. After getting it right mechanically and with a great body and paint job, it would be used primarily to travel to bid on residential and commercial painting jobs. Basically it would be used as a selling point to illustrate the quality of work we do as a company.

Requirements for the truck is to be gas efficient, which would probably mean an in-line 6 engine paired with an auto trans w/ overdrive. And to be comfortable and drivable... meaning power steering, disc brakes and a/c. It would need to handle stop and go city driving, as well as be able to do short hops of 65 mph safely on the interstate. Hauling duties would be minimal.

The model I've gotten to know best so far are the 60-66 Chevy c10s, although I'm open to just about anything including the same era f100s or Internationals, or I even sort of like the 50s Chevy Advance Design models.

So that's about it. You guys have an opinion on what model trucks of this era would be a good candidate for what I'm looking to do?

Donstar · August 23, 2017

Requirements for the truck is to be gas efficient, which would probably mean an in-line 6 engine paired with an auto trans w/ overdrive. And to be comfortable and drivable... meaning power steering, disc brakes and a/c.

It sounds like you are looking for a modern restoration of an older truck. You would probably have better luck looking at mid 80's trucks. You'd have a better chance of finding the equipment you want and still have a truck that will be noticed!

Doug Rosewood · August 23, 2017

You will want 80s, power steering, ac..way more common in the 80s. I might also add your probably not going to be fuel efficient at all with those older engines..

KARNUT · August 23, 2017

I would go with mid 90s, new enough not to deal with R-12 ac. The electronics are fairly easy,decent overdrive trans, throttle-body carb. There're usually rust free, old enough to get attention.

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stereojnky · August 24, 2017

It sounds like you know what you're looking for. The only issue is that most of those era trucks don't have any of the things that you want. I would look for someone's failed project. One where most of the hard work is already done. Namely the disc brakes (some models require sub frame swap) a/c, engine/tranny swap, etc.

It may cost more initially, but will save you lots of time and money in the long run.

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Toonces · August 30, 2017

Sorry it's been so long to get back here but I sure appreciate all the advice. I hear ya...it's true it'd be easier to find a newer model truck considering the options I'm wanting / would need to add, but it seems like the more I look into things I'm just hooked on this early to mid 60s era truck. And now that my idea is a little more evolved I'm probably moving toward either a 63-66 c10 or f100, but probably it'll end up being the c10.

And thanks stereo for you advice on trying to find one of these trucks where most of the work is already done. The lesson I've learned so far is that you almost never get all the money out of one of these resto projects that you put into it...so why put yourself through all the hassle and money and just look for something that's mostly done instead?

Any advice on what kind of auto trans you'd pair with one of the original 6 cyl engines that came in these c10s?