My 1962 project "my last truck"

[hardwaa]

Back on March 29 2022 I was looking for a tailgate for my 59 gmc and I found a guy selling a tailgate on FB marketplace I went to look at the tailgate. He ended up having a yard full of treasures. I bought the tailgate and this 1962 1/2ton shortbed disaster, but it had original paint Cardinal red paint on it. I'm a sucker for original paint no matter the condition.

[hardwaa]

I ended up going back on March 31, 2022 with a trailer to pick up the 62 project. I removed the cab from the frame. The frame was pretty mangled up on the front and rear frame horns.

As luck would have it I had a 1962 GMC shortbed frame roller I had bought back in November 2021.

I Had bought the gmc frame to build for my 61 apache Beater, (I was gonna clean and paint the GMC frame and put a V8/manual trans in it, but I ended up selling my 61 apache before any of that happened.

[hardwaa]

Back in December 2021 after selling my 61 apache I found this 1960 hood forsale locally and bought it. I had the 62 GMC chassis and the 60 hood I figured sooner or later I would find more parts to cobble another beater together...

[hardwaa]

So after finding the 62 Cardinal red project I knew I had some key parts to put another "61" (1961 chevy apaches are my all time favorite GM trucks) truck together. I asked around to some buddies looking for other parts. This is what I was able to scavenge.

[hardwaa]

On April 10, 2022 after assembling all the parts I had at my buddies shop I was able to bring this "mutt" home and tuck it in the backyard for a later date. My plan was to keep accumulating parts and build a "61" truck that would be mine and not forsale.

[SkinnyG]

I approve.

More! More! Keep going!!

[Braunschweiger]

This is how the parts fit together, more of them.

[rbruno68]

Wow, talk about being able to see "what could be". You did some great scavenging there and looks like you are on your way to a cool truck.
Rob

[hardwaa]

More to the story.

I had gathered more parts. I had a local guy who has become a friend do a 2" pancake crossmember (coil spring style) for me. I ordered new short bed sides, chrome bumpers front and rear and rear bumper brackets. I also found 1961 hood I bought and sold the 1960 hood I had on the truck.

[hardwaa]

More to the story.

I also bought a slightly used ZZ4 crate engine from a buddy. I also bought a set of torque thrust for the 62. Then I decided to use the torq thrust on my 59, so I bought a pair of American rebel starburst bolt on spindle mount style front wheels.

[hardwaa]

Last fall as I was getting my 59 roadworthy I decided I was going to keep the 59, it's such a cool HOTROD truck. That decision made me realize I wasn't going to build the 62 for me. So I started selling parts I had accumulated. I sold the ZZ4 and the American rebel wheels.

A pic of my 59 from last fall to help with the story (madness in my head).

[hardwaa]

January of this year I get a call from another buddy. He is cleaning out his spare parts. I go shopping and end up buying a CHEAP fleetside 66 shortbed from him that was in pieces. I thought this would be great to bolt on the 62. I can sell my new bedsides that were still in the box. Basically pulling cash out of the 62, since I was thinking I was gonna sell it as a roller and not build it.

[hardwaa]

So this summer I assemble the bed on the 62. I also gathered some 16" steelies and put some staggered sized used radial tires on them. Then I paint the steel wheels silver (pic below is just the front wheels all four were painted silver). Thinking this will give the truck a great look (curb appeal) and will help the sale. Also because I'm a knucklehead I feel like I am giving the truck a good chance of being sold and getting back on the road. Hopefully I can sell the dream to the next guy.

[hardwaa]

I decided to get more parts from my buddy who was cleaning out his extra parts. I got a 62-66 hood that came off the same truck the bed parts did. The paint matched (old metallic teal/turquoise color). Then I sold the 61 hood, again pulling cash out of the project.

The guy that bought the 61 hood from me also wanted the automatic steering column that was in the 62. So I sold him both, again pulling a lot of cash out of this 62 project.

[Braunschweiger]

A crazy story, great. I'm excited.

[hardwaa]

Let me back up with the story to say I bought these fenders back in late January this year. I was shopping for parts for a different project the seller had these fenders too. I bought these fenders seeing that they were Cardinal red. I know they look ruff but I still think they will be an improvement on the 62.

Last Sunday it was great weather to clean up the fenders for the 62. Laquer thinner and white sctochbrite pads did the trick. Fenders have not been buffed or waxed. Just stripped of the crappy primer and hand washed. The passenger fender needs some dents knocked out before I put them on the truck.

Pics below of before and after.

[SkinnyG]

So... just so I understand correctly.... you're no longer keeping it, but just putting it together enough to sell?

I'm ok either way (not that my opinion matters), just making sure I'm following the story correctly.

[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

So... just so I understand correctly.... you're no longer keeping it, but just putting it together enough to sell?

I'm ok either way (not that my opinion matters), just making sure I'm following the story correctly.

Well that's the plan, however I am second guessing that idea currently. Time will tell. I wanted to start this thread just to show how this truck has gone thru changes even before it's been completed. I'm sure others will understand and appreciate the evolution of a "project" and or a "plan". Reguardless if I sell it or keep it my goal is to see this truck back on the road. Basically give it another life...

[350TacoZilla]

Heck either is fine, it's still saving old iron from scrap but I think the title of thread is bit odd. When I think "my last truck" I think like fixing it up to keep forever but I guess it could easily be the last truck I built before starting this thread lol. I'm in for updates for sure to see how it ends up.

[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Heck either is fine, it's still saving old iron from scrap but I think the title of thread is bit odd. When I think "my last truck" I think like fixing it up to keep forever but I guess it could easily be the last truck I built before starting this thread lol. I'm in for updates for sure to see how it ends up.

Just to clarify, The original plan was to build this for myself to keep. Then I decided to not build it and sell it as a roller. Currently I am thinking it's going to stay around and see what happens. I am getting to the point in life where it's time to enjoy these trucks and not just sell them.

[SkinnyG]

Why not keep both?



You are allowed to have more than one truck!
.
.

[hardwaa]

Update.

Static drop parts for the 1962 pickup. CPP Lowered spindles, six lug rotors, rear CPP 5 inch drop springs. Torsion bars will get adjusted and hardware will get modified.
Also ordered inner and outer wheel bearings,grease seals, spindle nuts, and dust cap covers today at Napa.

[hardwaa]

Big score today!!! A local truck guy pulled it out of his stash of parts. This is going to make a huge improvement on the 62!!

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by hardwaa

Big score today!!! A local truck guy pulled it out of his stash of parts. This is going to make a huge improvement on the 62!!

Nice score! I couldn’t find an original one so I had mine chromed.

[Braunschweiger]

This looks really classy, ​​really beautiful.