My build - found dads truck

[cantada]

Figured I would start a build thread for my "new" truck. It's a 65 c-10 San step side. My dad bought it in the mid-70's (before I was born). He sold it to my uncle (his youngest brother) in the early 80's. When my uncle died in a non motor vechicle accident in 85, ownership reverted back to my dad, who kept th truck before finally selling it in the mid-90's. I'll say that his kids were not happy with that decision, but given the circumstances at the time, we understood. I always missed that truck but accepted that it was gone. In the meantime I completed my first frame off, a 90 GMC S15 ext cab 4x4. Only took 5 years ;-), but lifted with a TBI 355 and a 5 speed is a lot of fun but I digress. With the s10 still not complete (but close) I was futzing around on eBay about a month ago searching for parts and started wandering into other catagories, and there it was. Well I wasnt sure at first, and quite honestly the pic looked so bad I almost didn't even open the item up, but I did and after try to remember 25 years old details to confirm it was the truck, I was pretty sure it was. I immediately called my dad to confirm, although I think his memory was fuzzier than mine, I called the guy and setup a time to see it.

Upon my arrival with my brother in tow, in 2 seconds we new it was the truck. After 20 years, it was found. Luckily the guy still had a clean title, but the past 5 or 6 owners had not been too kind and the truck was a shell of it's former self. It had somehow survived 48 years in the northeast, it was built in Tarrytown, NY.

The good:
Somehow it survived as semi original to when we had it.
Interior is mostly there. Has the optional gauges cluster.
Motor dad pulled from a 1970 nova in 75 still there and running. Think it's an 010 block
Still has the BFGoodrich Belted T/A's (lol yes belted) from the 70's with same wagon wheels
Still has the incorrect 67-72 bed sides from the 70's that will stay.
Original floor converted 3 speed still intact and working.
All suspension, brakes, steering are still original
The e-brake works lol

The bad
Rust, rust and more rust. Honestly if it was not the exact same truck, I would have never bought it, really think it is that bad. It only had one semi ok cab mount (passenger rear) the rest had been hacked out by somebody and aplasma cutter. The firewall was badly bent where it met the floor and all of the bracing was gone and it was just stiiling on wood blocks.

All in all it could be in worse shape, but it does move under its own power. Still can believe I now own it and look forward to restoring it to a drivable truck. Am currently on vaca but will try to upload some pics as well.
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[ctandc]

That's awesome you found THE exact truck. What are the odds.

Good luck with the build.

[Bkndsdl]

Awesome......subscribed.

[McMurphy]

That is an awesome story!

If you are interested, you might check with your DMV now that your are the free and clear owner of it, they may for a small fee be able to give you a complete registration history on it.

It can be cool to know how many times it changed hands and for how long.

Please post us some pics .... we survive on photos around here!

[Vics63Chevy]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

That is an awesome story!

Please post us some pics .... we survive on photos around here!

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Great story. Looking forward to the photos.

[VA72C10]

Welcome and cool story!!!

[cantada]

Posting from mexico, on an ipad, remoted to my windows pc at home in Jersey. Not sure Steve Jobs would be happy with that! Anyway, here are the pics from the original eBay listing. I have to say that the pics do not do justice to how bad it was. In the pic where you can see the floor pan, u can see 3 layers and all are screwed on and there is nothing but frame and wood underneath.

[Rich 5150 69]

Cool another family find on here, I`ll be watching the build...

[McMurphy]

I look at your floor pans and I can feel your pain.
At first look at mine they did not seem so bad.
Then I discovered what a spray foam and fiberglass freek of nature one or more of the POs were!

But I also have to say that it is VERY satisfying when you cut all that out and get the new stuff in. I am just finishing up my floor woes over on my own build thread.

Looks like you have a good project there though, hope you enjoy the challenge because the rewards are just that much sweeter!

[cantada]

Pic batch number 2 - these begin to show how bad the cab floor really is. Honestly, there really isn't much left. First pic is bringing her how for time on the highway in a long time. Leaked water the entire way home! Bottom few pics are sans a few riveted on patch panels. The a pillar to rocker panel pic, if u look close has a braised on panel where the rocker meets the a pillar. There is no original metal in between.

[Mike Bradbury]

Don't think of it as rust but economy A.C.
Wow that is pretty rough on the bottom. Top looks like a great project and with the family history it will make it that much more fun to restore.

[McMurphy]

Well the good news is it does not look like you will have to cut much out to repair these areas!!

The better news is they make replacement panels for all those areas too!

You are going to have fun with this one I think !!

[cantada]

Working on the lower left a pillar. needed 7 inches of homemade patch panel to reach the stamped panel

[awbrown]

I can honestly say your cab is worse than mine ... my drivers side was rusted up so far I had to go right to the bottom line of holes on the pillar ... good luck and remember its just sheet metal ...can't wait for the finished result.... Where exactly did you find it ??

[flips72]

great story, i love a truck with history. good luck with your build cant wait to see your progress

[ctandc]

Think of it this way, less cutting you have to do.

[cantada]

Originally Posted by awbrown

I can honestly say your cab is worse than mine ... my drivers side was rusted up so far I had to go right to the bottom line of holes on the pillar ... good luck and remember its just sheet metal ...can't wait for the finished result.... Where exactly did you find it ??

In all that time it only made it about an hour from where we lived. It was up in the newburgh Ny area.

[66ChevyMax]

Great story, welcome aboard. I to have my dad's truck a 66 he bought new in 1966. I learned to drive in this truck, it was out of the family for 10 years but is now back where it belongs just like yours.
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[cantada]

Another set of pics. My homemade git-r-dun cab hoist and some more shots of the drivers side

[1963c-10]

Yeah, some extensive cab work there. But once its done you'll be good to go another 50years.

[VA72C10]

Nice progress!

[cantada]

Some additional pics and progress on the left side. You can see the new nut plate and cage in the pillar (original was long gone). I dont have a pic of it but the door stop in the a pillar was also gone so I fabbed one of them up out of a 1/8" piece of plate. Down below, you can see how little is left of the floor in the vicinity of the high beam switch.

[McMurphy]

I will never complain about my floor pans, or the rust repairs I have done....
Ever.
I swear it.

Wow, good luck and dont give up man, when it is done it will be worth it !!

[cantada]

Some additional pics of the drivers side. Got the A-pillar back together and starting to try to fit the outer floor section