Grandfathers 61

[daverod]

Very cool. Love the old pics. Can't wait to see more. Good things happen to good people.

[CVA59]

Thanks Dave. I have waited a very long time for this. This will truly be a treasure for me and my dad.

[markeb01]

OMG that is fantastic!! Good for you! Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Can't wait to see the pics. Good luck on the project.

[Captainfab]

That is very cool Zack

So are you trading him the '64 you are currently building?

[Delmo]

Soooooo coooool.

[LostMy65]

I miss my grandpa too.
I need to find some old pics of him and his 65 Chevy 4x4.
Fortunately it's still in the family; my uncle has it now.
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[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by CVA59

Ok guys, i have some awesome news. I have known about a twin to Grandad's 61 for sometime now. I spoke to the owner tonight and he has agreed to trade me even for my 64. I am pumped!!! I cannot believe dad and i are actually gonna be able to build a clone to Grandad's truck. This is a dream come true. I will post some pics up when i get it back home.

That is some fantastic news!
I wouldn't be able to sleep either.

I'm a real nostalgic guy. Things like this always pull at my heart.

This is going to bind you and your dad's heritage.
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[oem4me]

Perfect. I'm stoked for you. I hope you get more out of it than you can plan for. I'll be watchin'.

[LakeShow24]

*anxiously waiting for pics*

[Kerlijah]

Awesome story man, cant wait to see pictures!!

[C-10cutty]

Thanks for the pics, great looking truck.

Post some pics of the twin.

[CVA59]

Thanks guys. I hope this will be more than just building another truck. I know every time dad sees it he will remember all the great times he and Grandad had when he was growing up. Dad has told me tons of awesome stories about him and Grandad's 61. This will definitely be a project that is priceless. I am sure you all can tell this is a very emotional thing for me. I miss not having a Grandad more than anything i can think of. Even though i never knew him i find myself thinking of him all the time and the stories dad has told me about him. I cannot wait to get the truck back home and get started on it. Thanks for all the kind words, you guys are great and great supporters. I hope to have some pics up for ya'll by tomorrow evening.

Fab................Yes sir. I am swapping him even for my 64. I hate to do it but this 61 is far more important to me and my dad. I am hoping this 61 will bring a great deal of happiness and alot of good memories back for him.

[Hipper]

that is awsome I cant wait for pics. I have my greatgrandfathers 64 GMC shortbed, when I was 16 I needed a vehicle and my greatgrandpa had passed a year before he had a 64 that he drove to the trash dump and stuff. So we called my dads uncle to see about it and he was getting ready to cut it in half and make a trash trailler out of it. So dad and I found a junk 70 or 80s pickup and made a trash trailler for him and traded for it. Thats what I drove thru high school and about 4 years after, some day I plan on restoring it.

[daverod]

What's taking so long.

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by daverod

What's taking so long.

LOL, I hear ya Dave. I am ready myself. I have spent allday today gathering up all my pieces and assembling my truck partially. Here she is all load up and ready for the trip tomorrow morning. Dad and I will be leaving about 7am headed to the Northeast side of Dallas to get the 61. It is a 2-1/2 hour trip for us but it should be fun. One mire night of restless sleep, LOL. The first thing i will do when i get home with the 61 is take a bunch of pics for you guys.

Hipper..............That is an awesome story too. Sounds you guys got to it just in time to save it. I love the stories of a truck being passed down thru a family. It is kinda like a member of the family so to speak.

One other thing guys. I am looking for someone who can tell me what size whitewall and size tire for the 61 Apache when it was new. I want to put the exact same bias ply tire back on it if i can locate the correct ones. The pics of my Grandads truck in this thread were the originals according to dad but he doesn't remember the size or anything.


Keep an eye out tomorrow evening guys. I should have some pics posted by then.

[LostMy65]

As you're loading that up, I could see myself having conflicting emotions.
'Am I doing the right thing?'

You are doing the right thing.
What your getting isn't a different truck, you're getting your grandpa in your life in way you couldn't otherwise.

This is going to be huge for you and your dad.
What a way to draw close!

How's that commercial go?.....
Priceless!
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[CVA59]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

As you're loading that up, I could see myself having conflicting emotions.
'Am I doing the right thing?'

You are doing the right thing.
What your getting isn't a different truck, you're getting your grandpa in your life in way you couldn't otherwise.

This is going to be huge for you and your dad.
What a way to draw close!

How's that commercial go?.....
Priceless!
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You hit the nail right on the head. I love my dad more than anything. He and i will be like 2 kids i am sure. I am gonna let dad be the first to drive it when i get it running. I have been questioning myself all day but in the end thinking of my Grandad and his 61 wins out every time. I guess it is simply one of those things that when every time i drive it he will be on my mind more so than normal. So, I have decided i am making the right decision. Thanks for pointing that out. I feel better knowing that i am not the only one who is thinking like that, LOL. The guys is also throwing in a free 63 BBW cab, 61 grill and a few other items. The cab and fender bottoms are pretty rusty but i will fix them. I will have to change the cab because it has a high hump for the 283 w/granny 4 speed. Grandads was a 283 with powerglide (low hump). So, looks like i will be in the market for a good powerglide to drop in. I know some of you may think its corny but i think for the first time in my life i will name a vehicle. All of Grandads life he was called "boots" as a nickname. I will name this truck "boots" as well. I normally don't do stuff like that but i think it would be very a fitting tribute to him.

[bubba327]

I remember my grandpa had a early 60's truck but I was pretty young and do not recall that much about it.
Our family did not ever take many pictures and that is something that will always frustrate me about growing up. I have tried to take lots and lots of my kids..
Congratulations to you for carrying a out a tribute to him..
He will be watching and is very proud!

[daverod]

Well.

[CVA59]

LOL, here ya go Dave. Now get off your butt, get down here and help me rebuild this truck.

Thanks bubba. I am sure he would be pleased. I just hope i can do the truck justice by getting it back to its original condition.

Here are the pics. It is VERY rusty, infact it has to have another cab and fenders. They gave me all the pieces including a cab that i will need to fix it. This was a one owner truck and i have the original title to it. I have all 4 original rims. It still has the oil bath breather, fan shroud and dealer install underdash AC. This truck still has the original wood in the bed.I have a TON of work to do but it will be worth it in the end. I am leaving on vacation tomorrow but when i get back on Thursday i will get some more pics up for ya'll.

[CVA59]

Ok guys, Here is a list of questions i now have:

1. Who sells the factory 61 chrome hubcaps?
2. What was the interior paint scheme? It looks like the dash was partially black.
3. What was the original tire size?
4. This truck has "helper" leaf springs with coils. Can i run it without those helper leafs?
5. What was the original seat pattern design and color?
6. Does anyone have the factory pictures and literature for the this truck?
7. Who sells the factory automatic linkage?

Thanks a million for the help.

BTY...... the bed side steps will have to go.

[markeb01]

It’s good to see the bed side trim is still in place. Those pieces are very rare today and hard to find.

1. I’m not aware of anyone making reproduction 61 hubcaps. Perhaps you might consider a set of cone discs like you dad put on back when. It certainly looked cool that way.

3. According to the 1960 Chevy Truck Shop manual, original baseline tires would have been a 4 ply or 6 ply 6.70-15. I assume but cannot confirm this is the same data for 1961.

4. The helper springs aren’t necessary unless you’re going to be hauling a camper or very heavy loads.

Here’s a web link that has some great large format photos of a 61 Apache that might be helpful for reference pictures:

http://www.rbmotorstx.com/1961%20Che...k%20Large.html

Have fun on vacation!

[CVA59]

Awesome Mark. Thanks for all your info. The trim is 95% perfect luckily.

I definitely need a vacation/break. I can't wait to get back and start on my new truck too, LOL.

[daverod]

If I lived closer I would help tear it apart I'm good at that, not so good at gettin it back together. I like the side side trim.

[LostMy65]

Thanks for posting the pics.
I've been anxiously waiting.

You say it has rust, but it's good the hard to find parts/features are intact.

I looking forward to following your build thread.
Have a nice vacation.

-Robert
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