A couple new trucks, and build.

[Imperial Kustom]

I hate technology. That about sums it up my friends. It is the reason that I am stuck in the past. A young guy who messes with old vehicles, carburetors, manual trannys, no electric or computer controlled options or anything else of the like. I don't even really like to use a plasma cutter. I do however need to figure out this lousy computer crap. I just finished a new truck and would like to show all of the wonderful pictures I took of the build process, but I have never figured out how to get the pictures from my camera, to the computer.

So, until i figure this crap out or get my ol' pal to do it for me, I will tell you a bit about the new score. I ran into a guy at the gas station one night. He saw my '62 and I was checking out his '64 LWB Stepper four wheel drive. Kinda beat up, older paint, 38" Swampers and a very rumpity smallblock under the bonnet with AFR heads, Team G intake, Holley dual feed, higher compression and a really lumpy cam. Anyway, we got to talking and he told me about a couple of "old trucks" sitting in a guys back yard off of Fairview Ave. (A very busy street here in boise) and Liberty St. (a fairly busy residential street).

I went to look at the trucks a couple-o-days later and was met by a really nice guy and his dog. In the back yard sat a decent '61 Chivy shorty fleet and a nice long fleet '63 GMC. Score! Both wrap windshield trucks!!! Turns out the wifey told him he had to let loose either these trucks, or the really clean '72 blazer he was working on (i'd a got rid of the wife!). A deal was struck after about an hour or so of B.S.'n hot rods and I nearly fell over. 100 bucks took both trucks!!!

I had already given them the ol' once over and the '61 has all the typical rust in the fenders, floors and cab corners. The '63 on the other hand, has the typical rust in the fenders only, and it was barely coming through the bottoms. The rest of the truck turned out to be awesome. Both trucks came from the same original owner and the seller only had them a week before I got to them. I haven't figured anything out on the history of the '61, but the '63 came with all the paperwork back to, you guessed it, 1963, including all the inspection papers and receipt for application of title!!

Some of the history that I have managed to figure out is that the truck was purchased new in Twin Falls, Idaho in '63 (I have that receipt) and a camper was also purchased new in '63 (for which I also have all receipts and paperwork). All subsequent registrations remain in Twin Falls until the last time it was registered in 1978. The truck has some body damage to the right side of the cab and bed, but nothing too bad, just a little wrinkled. It appears the truck was rolled onto its side at some point in its life while carrying the slide-in camper. I am guessing the camper received most of the damage. The original owner seems to have been a vehicle inspector for the "Idaho Department of Law Enforcement", as I found a stack of inspection papers in the perfect glove box, (along with old pop-top can tabs, a box of 1156's from the '70's, a brand new GM truck gas cap [factory primer, no paint...] a cigar lighter, and a book of CAT matches from the '70's) and both trucks wear Department of Law Enforcement stickers in the left lower windshield corners.

All of the glass is perfect, the factory salmon colored paint still shines, albeit faded in some spots, the wood was in good solid shape, and the body and all components of the truck minus the fenders are 100% rust free. The interior is in immaculate shape, but the seat is worn. It still has the factory jack under the seat (as does the '61) and the floormat only has a few small and unnoticeable tears from when I took it out. All lights and gauges work as does the heater. Not one stitch of wiring was cut except the tail light harness for the camper and a trailer harness. The 305 c.i. V6 was seized.

About here in the story is where some people will poop in their pants. After adding some brake fluid to the master of the '63 and loading the '61 on a trailer, both trucks found their way to my shop only about a mile away. The '63 was towed via a strap without a problem. The '61 went into the back lot and was promptly made running with a battery, gas, plugs, wires, cap, rotor and points. It came with a rebuilt carb still in the box. The '63 was wheeled into the shop and emerged two weeks and only 17 hours of sleep later with a new motor and underpinnings.

During those two weeks, the truck was treated boxing frame with a 3" Z up front, sectioned crossmember,tubular A-arms, raised trans crossmember, raised E-brake crossmember (yeah, that still works too), new carrier bearing crossmember, 2"X3" frame backhalf with a 10" kick over the axle, and a two link with telescoping wishbone with the 'bags on the lower bars at a 2:1 ratio. The firewall needed a slight bulge to clear the no. 8 header tube and the floor needed a recess for the clutchfork as well as the tunnel raised for the tranny (still running the SM420 4 speed). I have been driving it for two weeks now and it sure is sweet. Especially with that heater a-blastin away!

The new decked, .030 over 350 with flat top pistons, Clevite bearings, balanced rotating assembly, 441 open chamber heads with new 1.94, 1.50 GM valves and springs, Edelbrock 600 and MSD HEI purrs down the road with the 3.54 gears in the Dana 44 rear.

I am hoping to put this one in the Boise Roadster Show, if they will deem it acceptable. I can't wait til summer now to cruise the wheels off this thing!!!!

Cameron, Imperial Kustom Shop
Boise, Idaho.