I have 2 67's not sure which one to restore first?

[JRBECK64]

I have a bit of a dilema I have a 67 Chevy Short Fleet and a 67 GTO Convertible and Im not sure which one I should restore first? Which one would you do first?

JRBECK64

[71swb4x4]

What condition is each in right now?

[Myself]

I would definately do the truck first. That way you have a way to haul parts, and haul the car when it's done.

[sjarrett71]

Can I be first????

[tcb-1]

Scott, you won the prize this time! congrats!!

[DustyC10]

I am in a similar boat, I have a 67 C10 and a 66 Impala, both will take about the same work... I am doing the truck first to get some experience on the body work, and making it a summer driver... I am going with a pretty built motor in the Impala so that will be a weekend cruiser, figured I'd get more use out of the truck.

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by DustyC10

I am in a similar boat, I have a 67 C10 and a 66 Impala, both will take about the same work... I am doing the truck first to get some experience on the body work, and making it a summer driver... I am going with a pretty built motor in the Impala so that will be a weekend cruiser, figured I'd get more use out of the truck.

DustyC10,
I just bought the 67 GTO today and its not even home yet. It will be tomorrow in the afternoon. I have been waiting for a long time to find this Car so you might say Im a little stoked. I want to work on it but first I have to finish my Sons 69 Long Fleet then restore the 67 Shortwide PU. I kind of want to do some more Bodywork and Painting before I shoot the GTO. That car has some long panels with compound curves and its way above my comfort level. Now here is the penny pincher coming out in me, I can restore two and a half of these trucks to one of them cars. Im still pinching myself because when I told my Wife about this car she told me to go buy it and I almost fell off my chair. For all of you wanting pictures I will post them tomorrow night.

JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

What condition is each in right now?

71swb4x4,
Its in need of a full frame off resto, that would be both of them.

JRBECK64

[tantrumpipeline]

do the truck for sure, easier restoration and gto's parts are more and harder to find, and it's a 67 shorty.... there never has been a nicer truck made, especially a fleet with a small back window jmo

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by tantrumpipeline

do the truck for sure, easier restoration and gto's parts are more and harder to find, and it's a 67 shorty.... there never has been a nicer truck made, especially a fleet with a small back window jmo

Thats exactly what the truck is. The problem with the GTO is I need to jump into finding the parts I need because I know they are not going to get any cheaper or easier to find. I need to get with Year One and Aimes to get some catalogs heading my way so I can see what I can get for replacement parts if I need them.

JRBECK64

[Redneck72]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

Thats exactly what the truck is. The problem with the GTO is I need to jump into finding the parts I need because I know they are not going to get any cheaper or easier to find. I need to get with Year One and Aimes to get some catalogs heading my way so I can see what I can get for replacement parts if I need them.

JRBECK64

Well let me just say, I have a 1979 GS550L Motorcycle I just finished getting back together, I have a 1996 Ford Ranger that I am doing small little things too and looking at what I can do. I am looking to get an older Chevy truck to make my big project. I have some very basic mechanic skills and some metal working minus the welding. The point of this rant is.. I found a real good forum for my bike and they were and still are a wealth of knowledge on where to get parts how to fix the current problem and what not. I also found the same for the ranger and this site for the Older Chevy trucks. I would take a look around and find a good forum for that GTO before you start buying parts from Year one. I like that fact that they have just about everything but it has been my experience... an 88 Transam I once had ...that they are way over priced on a lot of things you can find in other places. Just my $.02. You have a truck for hauling....lol go for the GTO. Is it a Judge by chance, or was that 69/70 thing. Anyway good luck.

Paul

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by Redneck72

Well let me just say, I have a 1979 GS550L Motorcycle I just finished getting back together, I have a 1996 Ford Ranger that I am doing small little things too and looking at what I can do. I am looking to get an older Chevy truck to make my big project. I have some very basic mechanic skills and some metal working minus the welding. The point of this rant is.. I found a real good forum for my bike and they were and still are a wealth of knowledge on where to get parts how to fix the current problem and what not. I also found the same for the ranger and this site for the Older Chevy trucks. I would take a look around and find a good forum for that GTO before you start buying parts from Year one. I like that fact that they have just about everything but it has been my experience... an 88 Transam I once had ...that they are way over priced on a lot of things you can find in other places. Just my $.02. You have a truck for hauling....lol go for the GTO. Is it a Judge by chance, or was that 69/70 thing. Anyway good luck.

Paul

Paul,
I got on Aimes this morning and there are a few key parts I need for the GTO and I found them. One is the Floor Pan, the other big one is the Core Support because this one is a little eaten up from battery acid. Both are remanufactured so no worries there. I really lucked out finding this car because the guy had two of them and he gave me all the supper critical parts that are not remanufactured X2. The molding that goes around the bottom of this car is made of Stainless Steel and you cant get them and I have two sets of them and with no dents in them. I also have all the moldings that go around the Convertible Openings in the back because they are virtually impossible to find but I have all mine. One of them are cracked and I am wondering if you can weld Stainless? Anyway I really want to do the GTO first but I know that 67 Small Back Window Short Fleet will be a sweet ride as well and probably wont take near as much time to do. I also scored a 67 WS engine which is the correct engine for a 67 Automatic Transmission GTO. I have had a 67 WT Standard Transmission Engine setting on my shelf for the last 6 years now I finally have the car that it belongs to. I guess only time will tell.

JRBECK64

[basemodel67]

I would say that you should practice your craft on the truck first, because when you get started on the GTO, you will really need to step your game up. I too have a 67 short fleet that I love, but as far as value and quality expected goes, a GTO convertible it ain't. These trucks in real nice condition maybe go for $20-25k, but that GTO would be at least double, maybe triple in value... and people expect a lot more at that price.

[Bishops Trucks]

LMAO, seems a few of us are in the same boat. I have a '71 SWB 4X4 and a '70 Z28 Camaro. Both needing to be redone. If I were you I would do the truck first. The goat is going to take more time and money to restore than the truck will. GTO's and Mopars are some of the most expensive cars to restore. I had a '67 GTO also, the only thing that didn't need to be replaced was the hood. Once I started pricing parts and with an upcoming move overseas I had to let it go. (Still kicking myself in the ace over that) Good luck with your decision.

[Shyguy]

Like you I have two projects, on a '67 short stepper and the other one a '71 long stepper. They both are driveable, but I really would like to restore one. I probably will go with the '71 since it will take less to do it even though I like the '67 better.

I am sure we both will figure it out eventually.

No matter which way I go I am gathering parts for both when I find them relatively inexpensive.

[marks1972]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

Paul,
I got on Aimes this morning and there are a few key parts I need for the GTO and I found them. One is the Floor Pan, the other big one is the Core Support because this one is a little eaten up from battery acid. Both are remanufactured so no worries there. I really lucked out finding this car because the guy had two of them and he gave me all the supper critical parts that are not remanufactured X2. The molding that goes around the bottom of this car is made of Stainless Steel and you cant get them and I have two sets of them and with no dents in them. I also have all the moldings that go around the Convertible Openings in the back because they are virtually impossible to find but I have all mine. One of them are cracked and I am wondering if you can weld Stainless? Anyway I really want to do the GTO first but I know that 67 Small Back Window Short Fleet will be a sweet ride as well and probably wont take near as much time to do. I also scored a 67 WS engine which is the correct engine for a 67 Automatic Transmission GTO. I have had a 67 WT Standard Transmission Engine setting on my shelf for the last 6 years now I finally have the car that it belongs to. I guess only time will tell.

JRBECK64

You just answerd your own question. "I really want to do the GTO first" besides the glory of body work is (if it dont look right sand it down and do it again. if you dont try and make the mistakes then you wont get any better). also if your goat needs to be hauled you can always use your sons black and silver truck lol.

[epashhans]

I got my 67 swb fleet because I always wanted one and was just going to use it as a "shop truck/dd" while I started on my charger. Well, one thing turned into another and I am still working on it, upgrading, etc. the swb and have way more money invested that should have gone into the charger. I love the truck though...its just hard to know when to stop spending money and time to get to the other project! So, if you can control yourself, get the truck running and driving and then jump on that GTO. Of course that was my plan and I am failing horribly.

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by marks1972

You just answerd your own question. "I really want to do the GTO first" besides the glory of body work is (if it dont look right sand it down and do it again. if you dont try and make the mistakes then you wont get any better). also if your goat needs to be hauled you can always use your sons black and silver truck lol.

marks1972,
I forgot to tell you one of the hurdles. My Wife said I could buy it but she goes on a Sabatical next year and she wants to go to Europe for 6 Weeks. If I get to deep into this GTO ($25K to $35K), I know we are not going to make it to Europe. I guess I could be working on the Bodywork as it definitly needs some. I find as long as I am doing the bodywork its fairly cheap. The 67 Pickup needs some rockers and cab corners as well so I definitly have plenty to keep myself busy.

JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by epashhans

I got my 67 swb fleet because I always wanted one and was just going to use it as a "shop truck/dd" while I started on my charger. Well, one thing turned into another and I am still working on it, upgrading, etc. the swb and have way more money invested that should have gone into the charger. I love the truck though...its just hard to know when to stop spending money and time to get to the other project! So, if you can control yourself, get the truck running and driving and then jump on that GTO. Of course that was my plan and I am failing horribly.

epashhans,
I know what you mean about saying when enough is enough as my Oldest Sons truck has turned into a Money Pit but you cant put a price tag on getting to spend time with your Son doing a project. I have to check out your truck.

JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

LMAO, seems a few of us are in the same boat. I have a '71 SWB 4X4 and a '70 Z28 Camaro. Both needing to be redone. If I were you I would do the truck first. The goat is going to take more time and money to restore than the truck will. GTO's and Mopars are some of the most expensive cars to restore. I had a '67 GTO also, the only thing that didn't need to be replaced was the hood. Once I started pricing parts and with an upcoming move overseas I had to let it go. (Still kicking myself in the ace over that) Good luck with your decision.

Bishops Trucks,
Was your GTO a HardTop? This one needs a lot of work and I am not looking forward to working those long sweeping Compound Curves on this GTO. Luckily I live next to a guy that has restored Probably 25 GTO's from 64 to 67 and did his own bodywork and is my Painting Mentor. He is an artist and is a super profectionist when it comes to Bodywork and Painting. He wont let me paint it until its ready. When I moved in here I fell right into GTO Heaven. I probably am going to do the 67 Short Fleet Resto First but the temptation is going to be setting there in the garage for me to look at everyday. Good Luck with your Camero and is that a split bumper front end?

JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Well here is the 67 GTO Pictures as you requested, and being that you know what a 67 Short Fleet looks like I will not post them.

[Bishops Trucks]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

Bishops Trucks,
Was your GTO a HardTop? This one needs a lot of work and I am not looking forward to working those long sweeping Compound Curves on this GTO. Luckily I live next to a guy that has restored Probably 25 GTO's from 64 to 67 and did his own bodywork and is my Painting Mentor. He is an artist and is a super profectionist when it comes to Bodywork and Painting. He wont let me paint it until its ready. When I moved in here I fell right into GTO Heaven. I probably am going to do the 67 Short Fleet Resto First but the temptation is going to be setting there in the garage for me to look at everyday. Good Luck with your Camero and is that a split bumper front end?

JRBECK64

Yes mine was a hardtop. Originally Regimental Red with a painted white top. Thanks, it had a split bumper on it but I changed it back to a solid bumper.

[capev86]

I would definately do the truck first. That way you have a way to haul parts, and haul the car when it's done.

exactly what i was gonna say!

my best friend's dad had a 69 judge convertible (1 of 100) back when it was new. sold it to a kid when the gas hit in 73. that truck would be a second retirement account for him if he'd kept it. your convertible is still a collectible though and deserves the proper attention.

are you gonna paint them to match, compliment or contrast? either way would be slick. or you get an enclosed trailer and detail that to match the truck for when you go to shows.

i plan to haul my 72 honda cb350 on the back of my 72 burb real soon (aluminum hitch carrier) and the family also owns a '71 holiday camper so i am with you on having complimenting vehicles!

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by capev86

exactly what i was gonna say!

my best friend's dad had a 69 judge convertible (1 of 100) back when it was new. sold it to a kid when the gas hit in 73. that truck would be a second retirement account for him if he'd kept it. your convertible is still a collectible though and deserves the proper attention.

are you gonna paint them to match, compliment or contrast? either way would be slick. or you get an enclosed trailer and detail that to match the truck for when you go to shows.

i plan to haul my 72 honda cb350 on the back of my 72 burb real soon (aluminum hitch carrier) and the family also owns a '71 holiday camper so i am with you on having complimenting vehicles!

capev86,
Ive been kicking around the idea of painting the 67 Short Fleet a Deep Blue Metalic with Silver. If you look at my other posting called (My Oldest Sons Frankentruck) I think I want to paint the 67 the same as his truck just replacing the black with blue. Im not sure yet what I want to do with it but I think thats how Im going to paint it. I think the GTO was a greenish blue turqouis originally. I need to get the build sheet for this thing then I can figure that out.
JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

Yes mine was a hardtop. Originally Regimental Red with a painted white top. Thanks, it had a split bumper on it but I changed it back to a solid bumper.

Bishops Trucks,

Im kind of surprised you changed back to the solid bumper, I thought the split one was more sought after. I thought that the 67 GTO only had a red with a Vinel Top option in that color scheem. I actually have a friend that went with me to get my Convertible that has a 67 GTO hardtop in the same color as yours. Thats a great looking car. I clicked on your Avitar and saw your trucks, you have some great looking trucks. What is the one in the garage?

JRBECK64