Pulled a Short-Wide 65 out of the weeds

[Slowtruk]

he guys, this is my first 60's pickup, but I previously had a 1964 suburban, teal and white. Let it go and regretted it ever since. A buddy told me about this one sitting in the back of a pasture...Went and looked at it. Kid said he actually drove it to school and back a few years ago, but radiator blew and the 305 that was in it overheated. (It originally came with an I-6 like so many of these trucks...3 on the tree trans. (also not included). Even the driveshaft is not included lol.

Anyways Ive been around long enough to learn to make it run before I make it pretty. The guy rewired the entire truck, have receipts from "classicparts" book, and sure enough after inspecting the truck and the book images, he did wire it all the way from the hood to the rear license plate. So thats a plus. Window felt is new, new door arm rests, inner door handles, door sill plates, etc.

I got it home, washed it, wiped it down, put it on stands and removed the ridiculous mudders from the rear lol. Got my steam pressure washer and washed the entire chassis. still has rivets on the balljoints so they are original. I love finding that stuff. The paint is not original. Has the normal rust on the door bottoms and fender bottoms. Wood bed floor is gone. bottom of hood has also been bondo'd and is showing thru. Surprisingly no rot in the drip lanes on the cab or anywhere on the roof. Floor board has some small holes where they tried to cover them up with sheetmetal and screws.

All in all, straight short wide and you dont find em this straight around here in Texas. Paid $900 for her. Oh yeah, also has a new gas tank.

The plan, get it running. Replace all ball joints and other steering components, possible regear the rear (no idea whats in it now). Need a trans, thinking 700r... I have a 350 that I'd like to rebuild like I did with my 85 side truck.I may throw a mild cam in it just for a lope. Need to have a driveshaft made after that.

Question.

1. Did this truck come with all the chrome moldings on the bed and doors? Didnt knoiw if they had "W/T" models back then cause there arent any holes in the side where they wouldve bee. ALthough they couldve filled them when they painted the truck years ago.

Heres pics. any advice for me would be appreciated!











chipping away the petrified grease





got bored and painted the CHEVROLET lettering lol


my helpful little toddler


What do yall think? Godd starting point for a rare cruiser?