Uber Cool's 1963 C10 LWB Fleetside in England

[uber cool]

Bought this in Dec 14 as a blank canvas to go wild on as most other cars or pickups I've had have been too nice to mess about with. Whereas this has a lot of part missing and has been stood since 2003 in Oregon and I guess giving its parts to keep another truck the owner had alive.
It was only imported to the UK in Sept 14 so still has its Oregon plates attached, I'll need to get it UK road standard and then apply for a UK reg when ready.

Its a straight six, but has carb, inlet and exhaust manifolds, dynamo etc missing. These parts aren't too common over here, the V8 being more popular and hence part being available mainly for V8's. So I might go for an engine swap out, maybe Lexus V8 or something else, not sure yet.

Photos below from the vendors Ad in the UK, it was a chap who imports USA trucks to UK. Caught him on a good (for me) day as he was desperate to move it on as he had more trucks arriving and no one was interested in this one.







I have another pickup as well a 59 Apache fleetside, which is standard

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by uber cool

Bought this in Dec 14 as a blank canvas to go wild on.

I have another pickup as well a 59 Apache fleetside, which is standard

Welcome on board matey....

I hope you post up some pics and descriptions of your other truck and previous toys.

We like photos on here.

[uber cool]

First job was to make it water tight as the drivers side glass was smashed. As we don't have the luxury you guys have of nipping down to the local scrapyard to source parts we need to be inventive. Hence removed the smashed side window , made a template using the steel window frame and made a new window out of a 6 mm polycarbonate sheet.
Also painted the bumper as it was annoying me being yellow and gray.


Next up the wheels it was sitting on 4 different wheels with tyres of 4 different profiles. luckily the 6 stud is the same as the 6 x 139.7 jap stuff, which we have loads of over here. So I bought 4 steel rims of a Mitsubishi Shogan and 4 part worn tyres, at least it will sit level now. The fronts are fitted i just need to mount the other 2 tyres on the rims. The paint is awful it's crazed and cracked all over, originally it was a metallic blue, then it got painted a wacky yellow (probably 80's inspired !), then blown over with gray primer. So it really needs striping back to bare metal. However its currently only 6 deg C around here so not ideal weather to paint. Hence in an attempt to make it less of a driveway eyesore I rollered it red oxide.



My next priorities are to extend my garage so the dam thing fits in! and sort out my 66 Galaxie, as i think I need to sell this as i haven't used it in the last 18 months.

[uber cool]

Hi Rian, My other current toys are a 69 VW camper, 66 galaxie and a 59 Apache. Having just looked on a USA map (don't laugh) I've realized the camper came from Washington state, the C10 from Oregon and the Apache from San Francisco, so i'm working my way down the west coast. I've been the first UK owner of all of these the Galaxie has been in the UK since the 90's.




I also until May last year had a S10 SS and a 67 Beetle with a turbo I fitted. The S10 was quick but too small and cramped. couldn't get both my kids in to go to Hot rod shows, so that had to go, plus it was too new lol





Had a best of 16.01 down the 1/4 mile at York drag strip. not bad for a stock 1600 twin port with just a renault 5 turbo added.
Some car you buy and sell, others are keepers, for me the VW camper and the Apache are keepers. I must have had 30 to 40 cars over the years and these 2 are the only one's I won't be selling, unless i'm giving up the playing with cars and that's not likely!

[bj383ss]

Welcome to the forum. Lots of interesting vehicles you have. Funny thing to me is none are English! Look forward to you build. Is the Lexus V8 you speak of a modern engine or old school.

Bret

[uber cool]

I used to have Mini's , triumph spitfires, Heralds and TR7's with a V8 fitted. Would spend 6 months welding them up before they could be used .So got sick of the amount of rust on them. Uk roads are not kind to cars with the salt in the winter. It's funny how you look at your fleet and suddenly realise they are all LHD, I didn't plan it that way.

[uber cool]

The Lexus engine is modern 93 to 96 , so modern mumbo jumbo wiring. But I might have another off the wall V8 plan, we'll see what pans out, but no rush as yet plenty to do before the engine choice.

[uber cool]

had to get the Apache out the garage today to fit some new front shocks to the wifes Mini Cooper D. So took the chance to snap a photo

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum! I've had my truck for over 20 years, but never was particularly brand loyal either. I've had tons of different cars over the years, I just bought what I liked.

[disasterbus]

Hi and welcome - there are a few of us here in England with 1960-66 C-10's now using this forum.

Looks like you have some work to do on your latest ride, but judging by what you've also got in the garage you aren't going to be put off by that.

Will look forward to seeing how it progresses

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome aboard!

[uber cool]

Thanks for the welcome, first time I've had a decent look around the truck since xmas. The chassis is very good, so chuffed with that. Bit of rot in the floor and cills. The list of missing parts is currently the following.

front grill and headlights
rear lights
all interior switches and ignition barrel
radiator
exhaust and inlet manifolds
carb
dynamo
propshaft
front screen cracked
brake master cylinder full of water !!!



The only one that is bothering me is the front screen, when the time comes think that will be a big cost getting one shipped to UK and someone to fit. But that can wait a while.

I haven't yet planned out what I want to do with the truck, still hatching a plan. Was toying with the idea of air bags, but think I'll stick to old school springs for now. Was thinking about ratty paint job and white wall, but then I've got that with my Apache, so no point building another the same

The main thing is I'm not planning a quick job on this as I'm happy that the Apache is road legal so I can get my fix driving this. Most other projects I've had a vision of what I've wanted early on and built it, think this ones gong to evolve over time.

[flashed]

Welcome ,I love that you guys across the pond have the same love we do for these old trucks .You have very good taste in old toys ,I like them all .I have a good friend in Ireland that was bitten by the old American car disease and he imported a very nice 71 Chevelle ss .He used to come over and get his parts and pack them in his suit cases .He sends pics in the warm times of all the old cars over there and there are lots of them ,all kinds . Im going to follow your build as well as others over there .

[Grizz1963]

Check with Martin, he may have a Pair of inner sills to sell, as he bought bigger panels, as well as a complete engine and manual gearbox.

My truck may yield some bits as well.

[uber cool]

Flashed, thanks for the nice comments, always appreciated.

Rian, Think I, may be coming to you and Martin soon with a list of stuff I need sills sounds good, might be sorted with the engine and box if my cunning plan comes off

[uber cool]

Bought this manual tyre machine new for £45 before xmas, changed 8 tyres, so it's already earned its keep

I think the old tyres were way past their best! Amazed they still held air. Appear to have been studded tyres too, I've never seen these before as not legal on UK roads.


All 4 wheels and tyres changed, at least it sits level now.

This was one of the wheels on the truck when bought. Anyone know what this rim is off? Looking at the valve it can only be used with a tube and the wheel seems to have an extra thick steel rim added to it?

[disasterbus]

Originally Posted by uber cool

All 4 wheels and tyres changed, at least it sits level now.

Did you source those steel wheels here in the UK? Just wondered what they were off as I'm considering options for mine. Thanks

[uber cool]

markeb01, thanks for info, that's appears to make sense

Ta2Don, never had a Morris but I've had a few Mini's, last one was a Cooper S in 1994. see below, bought it just as a shell, the whole bottom 6 inches was missing, I think it ended up just the bulkhead front and rear and the rear 1/4 panels and roof were original


disasterbus yep got the wheels last week in UK, cost me all of £15 for 4 off ebay, they came off a Mitsubishi Shogan. They are 16" rims with 235 x70 x16 tyres landrover discovery spec so again plenty on ebay. I just searched ebay for '6 stud wheels' or '6 x 139.7 pcd' most jap 4 x 4 have the same PCD. Also Vauxhall Frontera are the same PCD

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by uber cool

markeb01, thanks for info, that's appears to make sense

Ta2Don, never had a Morris but I've had a few Mini's, last one was a Cooper S in 1994.

disasterbus yep got the wheels last week in UK, cost me all of £15 for 4 off ebay, they came off a Mitsubishi Shogan. They are 16" rims with 235 x70 x16 tyres landrover discovery spec so again plenty on ebay. I just searched ebay for '6 stud wheels' or '6 x 139.7 pcd' most jap 4 x 4 have the same PCD.

More Mitsubishi Shogun 15" wheels.

[flashed]

It may be an original wheel for that truck but not sure .I know those wheels can be dangerous to change tires on and off .

[uber cool]

yeah I think it will be going to the local tip some time soon

[markeb01]

That does appear to be an original wheel, with the hub cap clips and riveted center section. I've never seen one exactly like it though. It appears to be a split ring wheel (two pieces) but I don't see any gaps in the lock ring. Many tires shops here in the US won't touch those any more. They fell out of favor back in the 70's when a national TV show focused on how many bent or damaged examples came apart on big rigs, with explosive and frequently fatal results.

[Ta2Don]

Welcome Aboard!!!

Nice Stable of Rides... I spent some time on the island of Terceira in the Acores and fell in love with a 54 Morris I had and a 57 Mini one of the locals had...

[uber cool]

yep. there a set of 4 on ebay now for £60

another yank I've owned, 1984 Pontiac v8 305, forgot about this, owned this about 2 years ago, never had it on the road, sold it to buy the Galaxie

[mjh1965]

Welcome aboard as Grizz said I have a set of inner sills (rockers ) if you are interested . I also have exhaust and all the engine parts if you need . But I guess the Lexus V8 32 valve is a nice option . I even thought about that route myself