"Wrongside" - 1967 Right-hand Drive C10

[Russ.W.]

OK, so here is my new toy - and first ever C10. A factory built RHD 1967 C10 Pickup I've dubbed "Wrongside".

I've wanted a C10 for work duties for years, but due to the fact other people will have to drive it at times, it needed to be right hand drive (I'm in Australia). Converting one properly is costly, which is why I never took the plunge - that is until I found one already RHD.

Details:

1967 C10
Shortbed
250 Inline 6
3 Speed - Originally 3 on the Tree, changed to floor shifter some years back.

Absolute POV pack with manual steering, drum brakes, no air, no factory gauges other than speed & fuel, no radio (not even cut out with delete panel).

Story goes, special ordered RHD in '67 by a gentleman in Connecticut. Owned a farm in the UK which is why it was ordered RHD. Bought it back form England in the 80's, then sold to a fellow Conn. gent who used it for a while as a mail truck. Bought by 3rd owner a year or 2 back. Bought by me a few months back.







That's about as good as it gets. My original plan was get it registered, drive it for a while as my daily work vehicle, then start tidying it up bit by bit. Unfortunately the body is in pretty bad nick, and it's not currently running. Stuck in first gear, and when you turn it over it sounds like the starter or flywheel ring gear is missing some teeth. Cranks, winds over then dies.

We have fairly strict regulations here in Australia regarding vehicle condition etc, and there's no way I can get it road legal without a getting fair chunk of rust sorted. Underneath it's rough and needs a lot of work. Has had some quick repairs; plating over holes in the cabin floor; and even some fibreglass work, which will all need to be undone and corrected.

Floor and braces are pretty much rooted. The frame is rusty, but savable. Nothing has eroded through anywhere. Will know more once it's sandblasted but it should be OK.





Roof is good!





Fuel tank is new





Dash is in excellent shape.







Original KPH speedo.





Under the hood? 250 Inline 6. Single barrel Carter carb (not correct for car)









A lot of pars specific to it being right hand drive are long gone (30TT linkages etc), included the accelerator linkages to the carb. This is how the previous owner had it setup to get it running.





...and tension for the return.




Unfortunately there isn't a single thing under the hood that doesn't need either replacing or restoring. Lots of little things missing and improvised like the above linkage. I might get lucky and be able to find something off a local GM car from the same period, otherwise I'll have to have a few pieces made. Probably a mix of both.


I donn't really want to do a complete build, but it's something I will get to eventually. For now I'll concentrate on rust repairs and getting it running. It'll probably sit in primer for a while so I can spend money on other parts. When I do decide to go the whole hog, those plans will include:

Body Changes:
- Paint: Grecian White (same as my Impala).
- Bed: Fleetside.
- Relocate fuel tank from cab to elsewhere.

Interior Changes:
- Colour: White & Blue.
- Bench seat.
- Dash fascia with all gauges (temp/volt/oil etc).
- Stereo.

Drivetrain: No idea.
- Engine: Will keep the I6 for now. Definitely liking the LS swaps I've been seeing on this forum though.
- Transmission: Will stay with the 3sp whilst using the I6. Will go Tremec 5sp if I go the LS route.

+

Front disc brakes.
Lowered front and back.
New shocks.

Will also replace every single piece of wire, front to back.


All the above is a ways off though. For now I need to get it running so I can move it around, get it stripped and see what's what.

Let the fun begin!