Project “Blue Bomb” (rebirth of a 1970 c30)

[68bowtie]

I'd been on the hunt for an original c30 for a while. Finally found a really great one, mostly unmodified and well preserved. I had to make quite a drive to get it, but I'm happy I did. I plan on keeping this a work truck, just with a bit of new styling. It will keep all the manly 1-ton features (roof lights, big honkin mirrors, stick shift), but it will look a bit different than how it started.

The truck was originally fitted with a big cabover camper. So the cab was very well protected over the years from rain and sun. The camper unfortunately was damaged beyond repair so I had it removed. Here is how it looked when I found it:



The whole interior is extremely nice, and I won't be changing it at all. The only damage is a few small holes in the top of the seat where the PO installed some snaps for the pass through, and a few small cracks in the steering wheel. I plan to disassemble and fully clean and detail the interior, but that’s about it.





Here is the plan:

- Replace the split ring wheels with a set of 19.5" p30 wheels I've been saving (black with chrome caps)
- Possibly drop the front end a smidge if it won't rub
- Polish up the original oxidized paint
- Trim up and paint the back half of the frame
- Paint the front bumper black (it's a crappy white repaint otherwise I'd keep it as-is)
- Replace the grandpa mirrors with stainless equivalents (or maybe have them re-chromed)
- Pull behind receiver with a semi-truck style receiver/tail light section
- “Maybe” paint on some door logos. Not really my thing, but I think it could be a nice touch
- Not sure about a flatbed just yet, but it might happen

Here's a quick and dirty before and after photo shop edit of what I have in mind:

[builtbyKane]

looks like the start of a great project.

[goldenburb]

NICE.
I have 2 c30 looking to jazz up .So I'll be watching.

[68bowtie]

Jazz up. I like it.

Well I got the frame cleaned up. Went through quite a few cutoff wheels, but it looks much better now.

[68bowtie]

Cleaned up a fender for a sneak preview of the original paint. This is my favorite part.

[CG]

You said you might make it a flatbed but not sure. If not a flatbed Im curious whats going to happen back there.

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by CG

You said you might make it a flatbed but not sure. If not a flatbed Im curious whats going to happen back there.

It will need a flatbed at some point. It's more of a timing thing, and I haven't decided on details. It will be for towing my pull behind flatbed trailer for now, and then we will see.

[CG]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

It will need a flatbed at some point. It's more of a timing thing, and I haven't decided on details. It will be for towing my pull behind flatbed trailer for now, and then we will see.

OH, ok gottcha. Well Ill be watching since I also have one of these setups exactly like yours. Well except I need to put a seat in it and have a lower pass through patched up. It was an odd one. Back window was out, and a small section cut out enough to come through from the camper area. Im not super familiar with the camper set ups, but I think I had only seen the big cut outs that go a little in to the top of the cab too.

[Palf70Step]

In to watch this one.

[Ol Blue K20]

In to watch too.

[70C30Hauler]

Nice truck! Your interior is mint! Can’t wait to see the finished product. Our trucks must be brothers! Starting a build thread for mine soon.

[68bowtie]

Thanks guys.

I'm slowly working on hand buffing the paint. It's coming out pretty good, it's just a very slow and tedious job. There's a good amount of 48-year old duct tape around the back window that's a real pain. But overall the paint is coming to life really well.

Here are a few minor updates (it's all about the little details).

My son was in charge of the cab roof lights. No cracks and the bulbs all work!







I thought the hood emblem was done for, but I learned these have a plastic bowtie insert, which I painted to match the grille inserts and soon-to-be black bumper...

[goldenburb]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

It will need a flatbed at some point. It's more of a timing thing, and I haven't decided on details. It will be for towing my pull behind flatbed trailer for now, and then we will see.

What size motor you using to pull with ? My 2 have 350 & there poweless.

[68bowtie]

350. It has 4.57’s so I’m hoping that helps. Ironically I’m putting a built 396 in my 2wd shortbed.

[rustytruck50]

Truck looks great! I'd love to have a flat bed dually like this....don't really need one, just want one

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Truck looks great! I'd love to have a flat bed dually like this....don't really need one, just want one

Thanks! I don't really need it either...

[68bowtie]

Time for a few updates. I took my 6-year old daughter for a ride around the block today. She LOVED it. She told me the truck should be called "Blue Bomb" so I'm seeing if I can change the thread name.

I focused mainly on the interior, but also the rear of the cab.

Floor cleanup:

It was pretty dirty, like most of these trucks.



The mat was in pretty good shape, just dirty and a few small tears.



After wash with a bristle brush and soapy water.



After air drying.



Rubbed in some trim restorer. I like this stuff because it dries "dry" (not slimy) and although it doesn't stay dark black for long it gives it a clean original look.

[68bowtie]

The horn button was dirty and faded. After a good cleaning and a bit of that trim restorer, it's like new. All tabs intact.

[68bowtie]

Forgot to take a before picture, but the seat belts cleaned up really nicely with soapy water and a bristle brush.

[68bowtie]

Floor pedals cleaned up nicely too.

[68bowtie]

Doors/panels, door jambs, rockers, dash, etc. Lots of elbow grease, but it's a very rewarding process with a truck in this condition.

[68bowtie]

The back window (inside and out) took some careful attention. 50-year old duct tape all over that was used to seal up a pass through into the camper. Glad to be done with it. All the glass (including windshield) is original soft-ray, except there was no rear glass. I got a lead on a soft-ray piece from a friend, so I'll be getting that installed soon...

[Palf70Step]

That came out really nice!

[rustytruck50]

Nice job!! Its really coming along

[nlped]

Very cool. Mine has the notorious cutout for the walkthrough. Does a serious # on the reusability.