Just brought home #3 - is the original topper worth anything?

[diggertodd]

Just brought home my third c-10, this one is a very original '67 with 60,000 miles. Some roof rust issues which the seller neglected to have in his ad - but my temper and stack of gas bills from Illinois to Florida got me a better deal. (as you can see from my new credo in my signature area)

but the real question is.... it has what the owner claims is the original aluminum topper as it rolled from the dealership. He bought it from his neighbor/original owner. It is in VERY exceptional condition with zero dents or issues with glass or vent window mechanisms. (and dig the cool blue plexiglass)

I just cant bring myself to discard something that could be valuable. If it is, I am not trolling to sell it on here, I will list in the Sale section. Just getting opinions here.

6 popper runs like a singer sewing machine, plan on sticking a 700R4 in replacement of the 3 on the tree and new tires and leaving it as my shop truck.

[grs]

I say keep it, and keep it on the truck. Most trucks don't have toppers on them.

[Sinister]

Nice score. I believe a 200-4R will swap in without having to mess with your driveshaft.

[cdowns]

topper is valuable in keeping stuff in the bed dry and inside of bed protected// as far as sales value maybe $20 on a good day with a generous buyer

[diggertodd]

Really! - Thank you for that info!

I was planning on a one piece driveshaft behind the longer 700r4 tranny- did it behind the 4l60e in my other truck - but that might be a great option - Thanks sinister

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by diggertodd

Really! - Thank you for that info!

I was planning on a one piece driveshaft behind the longer 700r4 tranny- did it behind the 4l60e in my other truck - but that might be a great option - Thanks sinister

Board member ebfabman did the 200-4R swap. He had a 3 speed and inline 6. Might want to PM him.

[Shyguy]

The topper is worth some money if you find the right buyer, but most people don't like them on their trucks. They are great on a trailer that is made from one of our trucks. My '71 had a topper on it when I bought it which helped keep the bed in real good shape.

It was not period correct so it did not fit good at the back so I took it off and put it on my '92 K-3500 which it fit perfect. The one I have has eye bolts on the top at each end so it is easy to remove and put back on.

[TheSeeker]

If you dont mind me asking what is the color of the truck? As in what blue, I want to paint mine that shade but can really find it anywhere. Thanks

[diggertodd]

Good question, I have to run to do some business, will look it up tonight.

If you cant wait, I bet TCP glogal paint supplies will tell someone sooner. They have old MFR paint charts based to make and year, pretty neat deal in their resto-paint section.

It is a cool baby blue that is faded perfectly flat, I can't bring myself to paint over it, just going to figure out how to patina the rust spots and the rattle can spots currently on it and leave the rest.

Considering lettering the doors with "Todd's HOT ROD SHOP you find 'em - we grind 'em"

[diggertodd]

Or when I sell my dragster

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I might go crazy on it........

[NC67Chev]

Originally Posted by TheSeeker

If you dont mind me asking what is the color of the truck? As in what blue, I want to paint mine that shade but can really find it anywhere. Thanks

I think this is what you're after:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorli...truck-pg01.jpg

[jorgensensc]

Hey digger,
I sent you a pm with some questions about your topper.
Shawn

[basemodel67]

Any chance for some more pics? Is it maybe a heater delete truck?

[Longhorn Man]

The topper doesn't look period correct to me, that looks more like late 70's to the mid 80's to me.
I wouldn't have even brought the topper home personally. They don't look very good to me, and look downright ugly on a stepside.

[diggertodd]

Will get more pics - I do agree on the topper, not my thing either - but I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a rare 1967 whopperdoodle brand topper that some would consider priceless (of course that's not my luck).

But maybe I need to list that ultra-rare puppy on ebay right beside the 2 million "perfect" Arizona trucks (when they probably sold less than 10,000 per year in the state). For Sale - Ultra rare Dale Earnhart Chevrolet truck topper - only 10 sold in Arizona as part of this perfect rust free truck - no, wait, that is starting to sound like the bogus ad that I responded to when I bought this truck (I'm still venting about that).

[diggertodd]

#507 Chevrolet Light Blue - looks right to me.

Thanks NC67chev - looks like your partial to that color as well.

Its not a heater delete - but I think it is hilarious that from the factory it only has a drivers side sun visor - never heard of that before. I guess I have a sheltered life.

[oldblue1968chevy]

lol i dont like the topper either lol

funny,passenger has to close their eyes while driving sunny conditions!

[chevy3100]

I actually just sold a canopy of the same sort of style, but it was on a longbox fleet. Suprisingly I got $65 bucks for it.... I was just going to take it to the dump or list it for free on CL, but being as listings are free & I didn't have the truck on the road yet, I figured ask a $100, and if I get $20 I'll be happy. I actually had a few calls on it within a couple of days.....

[ebfabman]

Yep took out the three speed and replaced it with a 200-4r from an '89 Oldsmobile station wagon. only mod was to move the trans mount back, even used the same driveshaft. Really made a huge difference in the 250 6cyl. Went from 55-60 to 75-80 comfy cruise speed. Just made a trip from NC to OKLA and back. Awesome. Only thing that could have made the trip better......Air Conditioning! soon to come

[diggertodd]

Thanks for the update ebfabman,

every penny saved on this truck will just be spent on my main one.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

Yep took out the three speed and replaced it with a 200-4r from an '89 Oldsmobile station wagon. only mod was to move the trans mount back, even used the same driveshaft. Really made a huge difference in the 250 6cyl. Went from 55-60 to 75-80 comfy cruise speed. Just made a trip from NC to OKLA and back. Awesome. Only thing that could have made the trip better......Air Conditioning! soon to come

You replaced a 3 speed manual... or a 3 speed TH350 automatic? The OP has a 3 speed manual, and you mentioned moving the crossmember.. which a manual wouldn't have...

[ebfabman]

Three speed manual or straight drive as they say here in North Carolina. 3.73 rear end. I should say I removed the bell housing mount and added an auto tranny mount. If you had a 350 turbo I think you would have to move it back a little. At any rate, not a big deal.

[ebfabman]

A few other things I forgot, added a radiator w/a cooler and of course the TV at the carb linkage

[tcb-1]

got to agree with lhm on this on. my pop had a topper on his 66 swb that was bought by the original owner several months after the truck purchase. it was made in Arkansas. it had a complete wood frame, was then covered with aluminum, and contained 2 rows of roll out windows. iirc, I even noticed the build date tag saying '67; I got to ride back there a LOT!

I think the blue plastic bubble windows gives it away.

I like the old retro toppers, but aluminum is fetching a good price....... hum. decisions, decisions