Brand New Old '69!
 

I've always been a motorhead. I bought my first muscle car, a '71 Chevelle, over 7 years ago, and still own it. It's been sitting for three years now needing a frame off. My wife and I both had company cars until my wife switched careers and now no longer has one. Now she drives our only driveable car that we actually own. My company car isn't good for anything other than transporting people. So, after borrowing my dads truck (good to live near family) until he threatened to start charging me, I decided to get a truck. I only had to promise to buy my wife a new car before I could me a used truck. Women. Well, I missed driving something that I could actually name the part of the engine that I was more than likely going to break while trying to tune it. That, and something that sounded like it had a pair. So I decided to buy something older than I, and Chevy, of course. So here it is. I bought it yesterday from P.J.'s Auto World in Clearwater, FL. I won't be picking it up until the end of the month. Although everything they sell is "as is", they completely inspect the entire drivetrain and fix, for free, anything that would prevent you from driving it off the lot. So far, the salesman has said they're going to tune the carb (too rich, lotta backfiring) and replace the battery. Also, I'm going to replace the fancy electric seats, fix the A/C system (did I mention I lived in Florida/Hell), replace the melting and sticky original steering wheel, and add power brakes. So, here are pictures as it sits on their lot.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

That's nice! Welcome to the forum...:)

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Looks nice. The GMCs are sweet w/ the dual headlights. Good score.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

So it is a GMC. It was advertised as a C10 and in this picture it has a bowtie on the tailgate. I thought the previous owner may have just slapped those on there. I know a lot more about old cars than old trucks. Do any of you have one that does not have power brakes. When I test drove it, I could barely keep the truck at a stand still while at a stop sign. I forgot to look or even ask if it was all drum, but I assume it is w/out power brakes. Anyways, I had to stand on the brake to keep it from putting along. Is this normal with manual brakes? I couldn't imagine this happening with just bad shoes. Regardless, I'm having then put in a power brake conversion kit for me since it's a 120 mile drive home on the interstate. I don't want to rear end a semi because I couldn't stop. Thanx for any and all help you guys can give!

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

not pickin the truck apart, but the box looks long behind the rear wheels. like a long box made into a short box. if im wrong im sorry. maybe its the angle or something. if it was cut down to a short box that would be nice to know before you buy.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

It may just have the GMC front clip.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

It that were to be true, then whoever did it was one helluva fabricator because all of the curves terminate at the end of the box perfectly.

But go ahead, just kick my dog while you're at it!

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Great, so by the end of this discussion, we'll have determined that it's actually an old Volvo. I'm so screwed.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

THAT, I can assure you, is no Volvo. ;)

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

I'm part of the dare to be different crowd- as long as YOU like the semi- shortbox conversion, that's all that really matters. :metal:

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Did gmc trucks come with that steering wheel ?? I know you said original looks like a chevelle or nova wheel never owned a gmc didn't know.But nice looking truck.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

i dont like the chop job on the bed at all.... but it looks clean

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

LOL!!!! It isn't a volvo!
I hate to say, the bed DID catch my eye also. It IS a long bed, I just can't tell if it's been cut down or not. (I'm starting to think it was) There are steak pockets in the middle of the bed rail, there wouldn't be one there if it was a short bed. There's a few things that kinda catch my eye as not being right... but it isn't being sold as an all original rig.. and the fact remains, it is a sweet looking truck.
Do you happen to have the first 1/2 of the VIN? Or maybe the model number?
As for the brakes, your assumptions are correct, you should not have had to put that much effort on them to hold it still, even 4 wheel drums w/out a booster (like mine) And if it is a 69 system, then yes, it would be 4 wheel drums.
As the others mentioned, that steering wheel IS out of a car.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Now that you said it, it looks just like the steering wheel in my '71 Chevelle.
:confused:

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Not to kick a brother of the badge, but the steering wheel looks like a ford product. But I can't fault you for your choice in trucks

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

My neighbor has a '69 GMC and that wheel does not look like his at all. I would say it is a GMC with a bowtie on the tailgate. On the brakes it sounds like they need to bleed the brakes. 4 wheel drum, with all new hardware actually stop pretty darn good, then again..mine is power drum so not really sure. My Charger is 4 wheel drum,manual and it stops, not on a dime,but it stops. I would check the frame to see if it has been shortened correctly,if shortened at all. The grill is an aftermarket GMC by the looks of it. Nice looking truck, just check it over real well, maybe have an independent inspector look it over. It normally only runs about $200..money well spent in my book.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

It has three things i love!! Its a truck, 67-72 and a GM got love it. Looking at the pipes out the a$$ it should sound like it has a pair. its going to be a nice ride thats for sure.
I can still remember the first car i drove with power disc brakes if the steering wheel wouldn't of blocked my path it would of need a new windshield LOL!! yes none power drum brakes are just a little better than having no brakes at all.
Ed

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

My only concern about the truck when I decided to buy it was whether or not I could drive it as is for a daily driver, which is less than 1000 miles a year for I have a company car :bling2:, until I decide to do a frame off. No car or truck that I rebuild will remain as it came from the factory. Each ride is a reflection of the person who built it.

But, I do thank everyone for pointing these facts out. As G.I. Joe said, "Knowing is half the battle!"

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

the question is... how much do you wanna know? ;)

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Not too much! I don't want a heart attack.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

LOL! It is a good looking truck, and a head turner.
And a million times nicer than my heap.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

I hear that LHman. Wish mine looked that nice.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Not just the front grille gives it away as a GMC ... take a peep at the glove box door.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1186624632

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

It's a nice truck. Enjoy and have fun with it.
my .02

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

It might be a mutt. You said it's listed as a 69. It looks to have a 71-72 front suspension because it has 5 lug wheels on it...


Chuck

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

It's definitely a Volvo.

:banghead:

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

I would have to agree that it's a long bed that has been cut, but thats not always a bad thing. It really doesn't look bad. My 69 has the 4 wheel drums and I have to hold on the brake to keep it from moving too. Also... something I love about this truck, is the wheels. I have a spare set of rally wheels sitting here that I'm going to have painted black, buy some chrome spinner center caps, and slap on the chrome ring. I hope they look that good.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

GMC 1500 Long Fleet. Check out this build and compare the truck picture on the first page near the bottom.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=242993

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Good looking truck from the pictures.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

what are we comparing, im lost

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

I think it`s nice.But,am sure it`s a shortbed conversion that was not done to proper proportions.As long as you know that and it doesn`t bother you,that`s all that matters.But,did the dealer tell you?Something to think about.It should definately be reflected in the price.
I`m not a "knocker",I`m helping you with my knowledge so you know exactly what you`re dealing with.It`s a truck that was put together and finished out nicely.But,if you didn`t even look well enough to know if it has disc brakes or not(which I`d bet it does w/5-lug)or notice the frame and bed were shortened than you didn`t look real hard or know what you were looking at.Nice paint sells alot of crap,beware.I would strongly recommend looking it over real well again before committing or,probably better,pay for the service.
Again,no offense.Just hate to see people get burned.I don`t even know what money we`re talkin`,but I have an idea since it`s a classic dealer`s lot...Just be careful.

My observations:
*`73-up bumpers...just thought I`d point that out.So,why did it need both bumpers?Tells some tale of prior condition
*Stainless missing on windshield...no biggie.But,it was the deluxe originally and the rest of the cab still is.
*Mixed side markers...`nother no biggie.Just think they`re cheap enough to make match.Reflects attitude of seller.
repro tailgate(why put a bowtie on a Chevy????)Alot of tailgates don`t make it unless they`re on well cared for trucks.Also,makes me want to know what else needed replaced?
*Since it would have had at least lower belt moulding*,expect filled holes.How was that done? *Has tail light bezels and custom cab.
I just see a truck that could have been like the one you`re comparing it to that someone purdied up for a sale.I`d look the bodywork over real close and careful.Look at the bottom edges of the doors at the seams for bondo.Look at the backsides of the wheel houses and rockers for unfinished sanding of bondo.They installed kick panel upholstery.I wonder if that`s to hide the patches.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Is that a kit car across the street??? :phat:

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Good to see some more titletown residents on this site :cool:

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

I noticed that too :D

I think it's a great looking truck!

I agree with the others, that it was partially cut down for a semi-shortbed truck. Check the frame under the cab/front of the bed area for a good frame shortening job, good welds, etc.

Enjoy the new ride!

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

As someone else said it has 5 lug wheels on it front and rear, that more than likely means it is not a 69 or it has a 71-72 frame or brake conversion. I would run the vin and see what it comes back as. With a truck that is that modifed I would look it over really well before I agreed to buy it.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

oh great. pull my truck into this...sheesh.

but, just curious, what are you comparing about yours to mine....?

mine has more rust than yours...?? haha.

nice looking truck. but be suspicous.

-Sam.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Definitely get the VIN and decode it. Another thing that MIGHT help you is look at the rear suspension. If it has coil springs it is most likely a Chevy. If it has leaf springs it is most likely a GMC. That's not a definite sign though. Some GMC's came with coils and some chevy's came with leaf springs. Or it could have been converted from one to the other. That's just a helpful tid bit to help you tell. But the VIN will tell you what you need to know.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

Check that the VIN on the frame and the VIN on the cab are the same. It looks like maybe a 71-72 rolling frame was used and then parts added to it. Example cab, front clip, bed, etc...
This could be a chop shop special, check it out carefully.
Just my $0.02
Dano

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

ive been by that place a few times. there prices useually seem WAY TOO HIGH. hope you got a good deal. enjoy it.

Re: Brand New Old '69!
 

The deal is done. But, if the frame has a bad chop job, then I will be getting my money back. I'm not too concerned if it was pieced together from different trucks, who doesn't have a part from a different truck? As long as it's a solid driver, I would be content. But, I do very much appreciate all of the constructive criticism you guys are offering. You have already discussed more about this truck than I ever knew about classic trucks as a whole!

The VIN off the plate is CE20DZR11594. I'll have to compare it to the frame. Thanx again guys.