1969 C-10 opinions (restore or not)

[Hobbs81]

So I was lucky enough to find a stone stock, totally rust free 69 C-10 stepside. My initial plan was to resto-mod (big block, fun stuff), but I have since discovered that the engine / trans are matching number and all options are still present, with nothing extra added. (except the hideous huge mirrors and the wheels are incorrect.) It is a very low option truck, but does have well functioning factory AC, and the gauge package, radio. 307 V8 w/ TH350. Two knowledgeable body work peeps have inspected and say the paint is original. Even has the original wood in the bed, in good condition.

As I still want a resto-mod truck, but am not willing to chop up this survivor, I'm trying to decide whether doing a minor engine restoration (stop the leaks) and sell it as is, or do a complete factory restoration. Basically which would yield more return on value? The labor cost of the paint and body work need not be considered, I have that covered separately.

Thanks

[truckster]

As someone else on the board said, they're only original once. Truly original trucks in good shape are pretty rare.

[engineer_gregh]

More pictures would help. Can you post pictures of the SPID, under the hood, bed, etc.?

[toolboxchev]

An AC stepside in my humble opinion would be worth more in the long game as a restoration.

Someone will pay you in your retirement for something that has held its place in time.

Although its fun to do burnouts!!!!!

[Hobbs81]

Sure, I'll post some more pix later. I'm curious what the wheels and caps should look like on a non-optioned truck. These are some kind of baby moon things somebody added...

[engineer_gregh]

The SPID might tell us what hubcaps were installed. The SPID is on the inside of the glove box door, just in case you're new to these trucks. Factory air on a 69 short bed step side is pretty rare. It looks like a very nice truck.

[cericd]

If that white bumper is original, which it appears to be, and you having stated that it is a "low option" truck... the image below shows what the original wheels would have looked like.

[Hobbs81]

I wonder how hard it is to find those wheels and hubs? Rally wheel etc are easy, some of this base stuff is harder I am finding.

[briank]

5 lug easier than 6...are those 6 luggers on yours?

[Hobbs81]

6 lug

[Tquillen]

I've got a set of six lug drum brake wheels that were original to my '69 fleetside. I also have a set of center caps, although if I remember correctly, one looked a little different than the others.

I was gonna scrap them this week until I saw this thread. If you need them, send me an email at travis@quillenmotorsports.com, and I'll make you a screaming deal on them......

In the end, your truck may be worth more as a restoration. But, it's your truck.....and good trucks are hard to find. Do with it what will make you happy!
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[Hobbs81]

Ya! Don't dispose of them, I'll contact you after work. (I shouldn't be on here now)...

[yuccales]

That's a nice truck.

[Hobbs81]

Some pics...

[68bowtie]

cool truck. it would be a shame to touch the body. but go crazy with mods you can undo.

[Hobbs81]

Sorry...the E in the VIN means V8...

[FRCvette]

Sweet truck. I wouldn't do a thing to it but drive it as is.

[Mike C]

I have pretty much the same truck. '69 short step with original paint. Not a lot of options but interesting ones. Mine is a leaf spring truck with HD leafs. Power steering, gauges w/out tach, and positraction.

But the reality is a low option '69 short step isn't exactly a high value truck like a '72 Cheyenne Super big block AC bucket seat truck. Numbers matching, IME, means nothing with the trucks because first there was so many of them made, and second there just weren't "rare" versions of the powertrains. All big blocks got the same motor, no aluminum heads, high rise intakes, Holley carbs, etc.

I have lowered mine with a disc kit and have built a '69 Corvette 390hp 427 for it. Next step is buy a TH200 4R and drive it!

If you like the truck and want an original paint resto-mod which is what I wanted, keep it and build it. Not like all those parts can't be swapped back. I've found even with my '64 Corvette, if it's not a rare car (solid lifter, fuelie, etc.) then resto-mods can bring as much as a resto.

[sircrunch]

a nice original truck that would make for an EASY and ENJOYABLE restoration? Restore it.

[cericd]

In the first pic you posted it looks like the entire driver's side of the truck is in primer or is the paint totally sun bleached off?

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by cericd

In the first pic you posted it looks like the entire driver's side of the truck is in primer or is the paint totally sun bleached off?

ive seen quite a few olive green trucks fade like that. i used to own this 70. until i saw it in person i didn't believe it was original paint.

[Harleys 4 You]

hobbs81, did you get my pm?

[randy500]

All you need to know is this...they are only original once.
And this goes along with that...original trucks that have all good body panels and are in working order all the way around are the rarest of all trucks, even more so than big block supers and k20 camper specials.

[Hobbs81]

Yes, it is olive green totally faded silver except for inside the bed because it had a camper. And yes I'm pretty excited about the only original once... Any thoughts on the seat cover? Kindavweird velourish, but the vinyl,parts are the correct looking green...

[cericd]

Originally Posted by Hobbs81

Yes, it is olive green totally faded silver except for inside the bed because it had a camper. And yes I'm pretty excited about the only original once... Any thoughts on the seat cover? Kindavweird velourish, but the vinyl,parts are the correct looking green...

The seat cover is certainly not original. The original seat cover would have been all vinyl and green. If you search the forum you will be able to find pictures of the original base model seat cover. Unfortunately it is not reproduced. However, the material may still be available from a company called SMS. I've seen where a couple people have had a very close to original style cover made from material from SMS but it isn't cheap.