Small-Window in a '68? Harry Bradley's first design?

[John Gilbert]

Boy, Jim Aust's writings on the '67-72 C10 is going to be a tough act to follow. I do believe I've identified a niche that Custom Classic Trucks' readers will relate to, so this won't be a complete rehash of what's already been written.

Anyway, does anyone know if any Small-Window '68s were produced, or were Small-Windows built in the first half of '67, and then the second half introduced the Panaramic rear window. The build sheet on my '68 GMC, built in Sept 67 has a box for the Panaramic rear window, indicating it might have been treated as an option? Similar to big and smalls were treated '60-66 and 2nd '55-59.

Also was the '67 C10 Harry Bradley's very first design project?

Thanks in advance!

[too much stuff]

Far as i know the small window was only available in 67, with the panoramic option. 68 should be all big windows.

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Far as i know the small window was only available in 67, with the panoramic option. 68 should be all big windows.

Thanks, that kind of what I've always thought.

Small-Windows were standard, and a '67 Panaramic was a cost option as in the past years 60-66, 55-59?

[67chevy1series]

yes you are correct i wonder how much more money did it cost like ets say the normal smll window c 10 was 2,000 and then when you wanted the big window it was 2,345 $ does anyone know the facts i was just givin an example

[dan42]

There was a discussion on this in another thread and I believe it was determined that there were a few '68's with small back windows - early ones, using up the old stock of cabs.

[67chevemall]

Originally Posted by dan42

There was a discussion on this in another thread and I believe it was determined that there were a few '68's with small back windows - early ones, using up the old stock of cabs.

X2

[special-K]

I believe someone here with a dealer data book stated the option was a no cost item. Maybe he will chime in with facts. The thread was just this past week.

[Scott Webster]

What's panoramic look like? Does it have 2 small curved windows in the corners or 1 window that curves around the corners?

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by Scott Webster

What's panoramic look like? Does it have 2 small curved windows in the corners or 1 window that curves around the corners?

In short Panoramic is GM's term for a big-window. I believe it started with the '55 second series when the big window did wrap around the rear corners. I don't know the earlier 5-window in the A-Ds was called, other than a Deluxe cab.

[50mercfan]

i had a 68 short stepper small window.

harry bently bradley started with this customized 51 chevy. he designed and built it while in high school. it's called "la jolla" it still exist in pristine condition.

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by 50mercfan

i had a 68 short stepper small window.

harry bently bradley started with this customized 51 chevy. he designed and built it while in high school. it's called "la jolla" it still exist in pristine condition.

Thanks, yeah, I've heard about enough '68 smalls to include them in the text.

I knew about the La Jolla, his parents car that was his first custom. I was wondering if the '67C10 was his very first assignment as a GM designer.

Thanks!

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by special-K

I believe someone here with a dealer data book stated the option was a no cost item. Maybe he will chime in with facts. The thread was just this past week.

Gotta love those no-cost options. steel bed, or wood bed, small-window, or big-window? Here's some busy work for someone, it'd be interesting to see a list of '67-72 no-cost options.

Thanks,

[John Gilbert]

Thanks a lot for the help, and input you guys. I don't mean to rehash things that have already been discussed on here. It's important for me to make this story as complete and accurate as possible because it will be archived on Custom Classic Trucks website, and come up anytime a Google search is done on '67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks.

[special-K]

The small window was never an option,right? I see that truck has the 68+ dash,but that's a different panel. The cab rear panel goes from over the window to the bottom and includes the rear door jamb that VIN plate is riveted too. If anything,the surplus small windows would have gone on a very low optioned truck and especially,maybe, a C/30 cab & chassis..I'd think. I never saw that thread but it sure is convincing.
I think I'd stick with calling the Panoramic rear window an option and leave out the "no cost" unless someone chimes in with fact. I may have recalled that wrongly. Maybe it was the wood vs steel floor thread I'm thinking of.

[bruceman1968]

Originally Posted by special-K

The small window was never an option,right? I see that truck has the 68+ dash,but that's a different panel. .

Tim, that's right small window was never a option. And yes the dash is a different panel. I think some 67 small window cabs were left over and they got built out with 68 stuff including a 68 dash.

[John Gilbert]

I've got enough to mention '68 small-windows in the story, but yeah this is a real "gray area" in the history of these trucks.

I learned a long time ago not to argue about whether, or not something existed.

Thanks,


Jim, I'll see you at GNRS

[bruceman1968]

Just a side note: It's the cab that makes the window panoramic
By definition. pan·o·ram·a noun 1. An unbroken view of an entire surrounding area.
So It's the removal of sheetmetal in the cab that makes for the pamoramic view, not the window. It's a panoramic cab with a full view window Sorry for the nit-pick.

[special-K]

Reminds me of a '58 VW I had. That was the first year with the larger rear window. '57 was the last oval window. The dash also changed in '58 from the center speaker/no gas gauge/tiny vertical ashtray/tiny glovebox that '57-back had. My '58 had the '57-back dash and the '58-up rear window. It was a European import and I figure they changed things differently over there. It had other odd differences,too,but that's another topic. Back to Chevy trucks...
Just saying,there can be exceptions to the rule.

Edit: I agree. I tried sticking a large window over the '67 hole and it just didn't look right.

Wish I was going to the roadster show.

[54blackhornet]

The last option entry available for the 67 model year, as posted in the first edition Price & Facts Book, dated Oct 1966, under Optional Equipment, is (Window), Full-View Rear : (Cabs) Code A10, List Price $40.00 Factory D&H $3.05 Mfr's Sgt'd Retail Delvr'd $43.05,...There is No mention of the term Panoramic window as listed on SPIDS ! That term is also not mentioned in the 64,65, or 66 order guides I have in my collection, Option Code & Price is the same between 64 and 67.........The only NC options I see listed is Wood Bed E81, Nameplate, Custom Camper Z81 & Paint, Exterior: Solid color.....hope this help you guy's

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by 54blackhornet

The last option entry available for the 67 model year, as posted in the first edition Price & Facts Book, dated Oct 1966, under Optional Equipment, is (Window), Full-View Rear : (Cabs) Code A10, List Price $40.00 Factory D&H $3.05 Mfr's Sgt'd Retail Delvr'd $43.05,...There is No mention of the term Panoramic window as listed on SPIDS ! That term is also not mentioned in the 64,65, or 66 order guides I have in my collection, Option Code & Price is the same between 64 and 67.........The only NC options I see listed is Wood Bed E81, Nameplate, Custom Camper Z81 & Paint, Exterior: Solid color.....hope this help you guy's

This really dials it in, thank you very much! There is a box on the '68 buildsheets for a Panoramic rear window. At least on my '68 GMC built in 9/67 there is.

[ChevLoRay]

The small rear window was also the standard rear window for some of the larger trucks, i.e., 40-series and up. Up to a point, the cabs were similar, too.

[Longhorn Man]

that wrecker is the closest thing to proof of the elusive small window light duty 68 truck, and I see a few problems with it as far as pointing to it as rock hard proof. For years the closest thing anyone here has had was "My cousin Ray Ray had a friend who's dad had..." I have been asking for years on here (and in my own observations) looking for a fairly original 68 with the small window.
This wrecker is far from original. It was a C/20 with a bed orignally. We know that from the VIN. It has had daul rear wheels added, the bed swapped, high hump and 4 speed put in... we've all seen 'magic work' done on VIN plates, even 20 + years ago people were swapping VINs. The wing vents, ignition switch and cigar lighter, while convincing... there's something on the VIN that is not very convincing. Look at the last half of the VIN. The Z tells us it was built at the Fremont plant in California. If I'm not mistaken, I think that plant had 2 truck assembly lines, and even if it didn't, it was still a high volume plant. This truck was the 50,488th truck off that line. That would put it well into the 68 model year. I have a hard time swallowing that they still had "leftover' cabs from 6 months ago. (guestimating on the 6 months part)
Without solid proof, I would never publish something where all the documentation and people's observations say it isn't so. I personally don't believe a small window 68 exists, but I don't rule it out.
I would never use something like that wrecker as proof. Not without a hard core CSI type inspection on that rig.

As for the build sheet saying a 68 had the panoramic window... sometimes when an item becomes standard, the builder still treats it like an option. Example, 67 was the first year GM had the heater as a standard feature in there light duty truck line. Even so, just about every 67 you'll find has it listed on the SPID as an option, same with the build sheet. I have papers from GMC that was deliveed to the dealer, saying that even though it is standard, if it is not listed on the options requested list on an order form, the truck will come without the heater and the truck will come with a credit for the price difference.

[too much stuff]

I am really siding with andy on this one. Too many things have been changed around on that truck right down to the 73 and newer front bumper. And as mentioned, column shifter originally, now 4 speed, 3/4 ton with dually rear. It feels like we are missing something about it. It is kind of like the rear tow hooks. Still waiting to actually see a set mounted and listed like the fronts. Heard of it, just waiting for documentation.

[John Gilbert]

Quote from Longhorn Man: "As for the build sheet saying a 68 had the panoramic window... sometimes when an item becomes standard, the builder still treats it like an option. Example, 67 was the first year GM had the heater as a standard feature in there light duty truck line. Even so, just about every 67 you'll find has it listed on the SPID as an option, same with the build sheet. I have papers from GMC that was deliveed to the dealer, saying that even though it is standard, if it is not listed on the options requested list on an order form, the truck will come without the heater and the truck will come with a credit for the price difference."[/QUOTE]

And that's where my journey began. I found the buildsheet for my '68 GMC built 9/67 was still under the seat and spotted the box for a Panaoramic window. Number 1. I was amazed to see it referred to as a Panoramic window. #2. I know the factory didn't change the forms right away, and it was likely a holdover, but it got me to wondering. My conclusion takes up about a page in the article. I'm sorry, but I can't say another thing until after the magazine hits the newsstand.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, trust me I needed all the help I could get on this one.

[brad_man_72]

lol john, you're the professional!
I tried to send you an email, I don't think it worked. So I sent you a pm.

my 67 has a small window.