Post Your Factory Correct Restored Trucks! (No Customs!)

[theastronaut]

I don't think I've seen a thread dedicated to finished trucks that are restored back to factory correct standards. I know we have the Factory Correct Restoration thread, and the Most Original thread, but how about a place for trucks that are finished? Modifications need not apply! Lets see what's out there!

[corvettejim1968]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

I don't think I've seen a thread dedicated to finished trucks that are restored back to factory correct standards. I know we have the Factory Correct Restoration thread, and the Most Original thread, but how about a place for trucks that are finished? Modifications need not apply! Lets see what's out there!

sounds like a good idea.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by corvettejim1968

sounds like a good idea.

Sounds like a GREAT idea! I know we OEM fans are greatly out-numbered and under-appreciated here on the board, but a true factory correct restoration is not at all for the casual enthusiast or easily discouraged. I give major props to anyone that attempts to make their truck accurate.
I'll include some shots borrowed from other threads to get some images going.
And Astronaut, anytime you want to post up the pics of what you did with the blue truck, just go ahead. Not everybody reads the build threads. Yelmer, you too!

[likaroc13]

rear shot of the black '65 above:



and this '66:

[darkhorse970]

I love the "originals" and agree that embarking on a true "original restoration" is not for the faint of heart. And its not getting any easier as time moves along.

[jonzcustomshop]

can't wait to see more good examples...
A problem I have is I end up being too much of a purist; the most common thing that will turn me off from a "factory correct" restoration, is bedwood and strips not painted black, grille surround colors painted wrong, and door jamb/interior colors that are off the mark.
that said I still appreciate a nice restoration, I just like the words "factory correct" to mean something, and not be thrown as a blanket for a restored truck.

Of course, then we have to get into the nuances of "factory correct"
here are a few quick ones: the fawn firewall at some plants, some trucks had the rear wheel tubs painted the same black as the wood and strips, some gmc's had black behind the grille, some didn't.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

can't wait to see more good examples...
A problem I have is I end up being too much of a purist; the most common thing that will turn me off from a "factory correct" restoration, is bedwood and strips not painted black, grille surround colors painted wrong, and door jamb/interior colors that are off the mark.
that said I still appreciate a nice restoration, I just like the words "factory correct" to mean something, and not be thrown as a blanket for a restored truck.

i agree 100%...and i have to blame this site for that, lol, since i didn't know much before joining here....so now anytime i go to for sale ads that say "original", i expect it to be that way...98% of the time it's not truly original (factory correct), & i fight the urge not to email the owner about his false advertising

[theastronaut]

I originally thought that this was an actual old photograph of a very nice, low mileage used truck at a GM dealership back in like '67 or something! Very nice restoration, and the GM tags are really cool!! Is the owner a member here, and is there a build thread or more pics of it?

[oem4me]

That's Yelmer's truck. He's a member here and I am not aware of a build thread on it. Yelmer?, ...anyone ...Yelmer?

[Indian113]

Hat's Off to anyone that restores a truck and leaves it original!!

Problem is it's a lot EASIER to upgrade and change than leave it alone,atleast it was for me.

[theastronaut]

The '65 I restored, not 100% "correct" with all of the details though. I didn't really want to post it since it's not a very correct restoration, but oem4me gave it the greenlight so that's encouraging! It's nowhere near the same league as the trucks already posted as far as being an accurate/correct restoration; those trucks are killer!

I'll point out some of the incorrect details so no one mistakenly copies them. The wheels shouldn't be fawn, the dash knobs were originally black, the standard seat was swapped for a deluxe seat, the vinyl on the seat should be fawn instead of tan, bed floor bolts should be painted, the underhood black paint should be a little duller, steering wheel and column aren't supposed to be gloss, it needs a chrome horn button instead of satin, the black paint on the grill surround/fenders should be dull instead of gloss, the engine is "over detailed"- gaskets and bolts should have been painted over, the outside mirrors are cheesy reproductions and should probably be painted white, and I'm sure there's plenty more. Really, the whole truck is over-restored and wouldn't score very well if it were judged solely on correctness.

[plainred65]

Astronaut, glad you started this thread, although you pointed out some details not correct on the truck you restored it's still a beauty! It's the guys paving the way restoring these old trucks that find out all the minutia and make it easier to do it right for all who follow along. I've learned way too much since I joined this sight and am now trying to fix the now obvious to me mistakes.

[yote1234]

all factory original with one repaint... and tires..

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

Really, the whole truck is over-restored and wouldn't score very well if it were judged solely on correctness.

As far as 60-66 trucks go, nobody in their right mind is going to go through the extra headache and expense of a factory correct restoration and stay completely accurate. By that I mean duplicating the level of careless slop found on original survivors, including runs and sags in paint, raw unfinished metal, blackout applied with a hand mitt, badly misaligned body parts, etc.,etc. And like Jonz pointed out, these trucks were built in several plants each with their own methods and paint sequence, so it's really hard to nail down what is indeed "correct".
I am familiar with the NCRS and how they are dedicated to accuracy. All Corvettes were built in the same plant, to the same standards (which must have been a higher standard than trucks), so it's much easier to compile accurate guidelines for restoration. There's lots of good reference material for the Corvette owner, not so much for the C-10 crowd. But we are making progress even here on this board with threads like this. Keep it up fellas!

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by oem4me

As far as 60-66 trucks go, nobody in their right mind is going to go through the extra headache and expense of a factory correct restoration and stay completely accurate. By that I mean duplicating the level of careless slop found on original survivors, including runs and sags in paint, raw unfinished metal, blackout applied with a hand mitt, badly misaligned body parts, etc.,etc. And like Jonz pointed out, these trucks were built in several plants each with their own methods and paint sequence, so it's really hard to nail down what is indeed "correct".
I am familiar with the NCRS and how they are dedicated to accuracy. All Corvettes were built in the same plant, to the same standards (which must have been a higher standard than trucks), so it's much easier to compile accurate guidelines for restoration. There's lots of good reference material for the Corvette owner, not so much for the C-10 crowd. But we are making progress even here on this board with threads like this. Keep it up fellas!

just make it a factory stock resto thread

[LostMy65]

I agree.
If the thread is strictly Factory 'Correct' then some may be hesitant to post their best attempt at keeping things original.

I like the idea of having a thread with pics of original looking trucks.

Of course, I'm just posting my thoughts.
The final say is theastronaut's.
Posted via Mobile Device

[theastronaut]

Like oem4me said, none of the restored trucks are 100% correct in every detail due to the amount of sloppiness and varying details from different plants. I'm not saying the truck has to be 100% correct to post it here, but it should be close.

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

Like oem4me said, none of the restored trucks are 100% correct in every detail due to the amount of sloppiness and varying details from different plants. I'm not saying the truck has to be 100% correct to post it here, but it should be close.

...and we should realize that these were trucks, intended for hard work, door gaps, intricate details, were probably not as much of a concern for these.

here are some from my big file:

[sigshooter]

Not mine, but is listed for sale on craigslist ..... I thought it was worthy of posting here, very nice attempt at original restoration.

you dont see many original trucks, and fewer original steppers... everyone wants the short wide.

but anyways here ya go enjoy

[darkhorse970]

I think that's the best looking short step that I've seen.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LT1 Burb]

I am doing a resto but am not recreating the 60's UA sloppy standards. I want everything painted nice, matching, and nice shiny bolts etc. I will however be true to colors, material and options. I am going to paint the bed wood black but will paint the wheel wells body color, I also am going to paint the firewall fawn, I am not into show vehicles and could give a rats ass about judging standard's and I think Astronauts truck is as worthy as any to be on here.

[Dinos63]

GREAT THREAD!! all these are so clean

[sigshooter]

I am reserving this spot for my grandpa's 65... it will be as close to original as can be.

Hope you dont mind Jon =-)

This forum and threads like this is what inspired me to keep Grandpa's truck all original, you just cant beat the look of an original 60-66

[clemdaddy]

i have the want to, the skills and tools and the time and patience for a reasonbly correct restoration... just not the knowledge. this is a great thread and will hopefully give a lot of us the savy to undertake the challenge.

my first question... if you want a optioned out truck, is it cool to make factory like modifications? like changing a standard cab to big window or add factory air to a non-air truck. stuff you might have ordered if you could have back then.

[corvettejim1968]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

i have the want to, the skills and tools and the time and patience for a reasonbly correct restoration... just not the knowledge. this is a great thread and will hopefully give a lot of us the savy to undertake the challenge.

my first question... if you want a optioned out truck, is it cool to make factory like modifications? like changing a standard cab to big window or add factory air to a non-air truck. stuff you might have ordered if you could have back then.

that is exactly what I'm doing to my truck. it was just bare bones and I'm adding all the Deluxe "and some" options. i just did the big back window. i had the seat redone, added the cab Custom side trim, the deluxe rear view mirror, the passenger side sun visor, added arm rests, painted the door panels with the deluxe ivory paint in the center, I'm still looking for factory air, added all the chrome knobs, just bought a deluxe steering wheel, still need to buy the side molding. so in my opinion yes i think its just fine to option it out factory like.