New to me 1963

[dmjlambert]

Hi, I usually hang out in the 67-72 forum because I have a 69. But now I'm getting lined up to buy this 63 that I like quite a bit. What am I getting into here? My plan is to get it running, preferably with the engine and transmission it has, and leave the body as is. The windshield is cracked on the passenger side so I'll probably want to replace that. It was last registered in the 90s so I think I will need to find a title company to get it titled. The title company I used a few years ago on my 69 was a one-person operation and the owner of the title company died, so I need to find somebody new in Texas.

[dmjlambert]

This is what I'm looking at for the VIN. I'm a little worried about those rivets, what do you think? The plate does not have those messed up serial numbers, that is just my obscuring for the Internet post.

[dmjlambert]

It appears to decode to 1963 Chevy 1/2 ton 2-wheel-drive short bed made in St. Louis.

[dmjlambert]

Another pic.
In 1963 was there a SPID? I didn't see a sticker of codes in the glove box lid.

[Shifty One]

That's going to be a cool truck!

[dmb]

Thats a keeper for sure

[dmjlambert]

Thanks. Do you folks know what the 3 knobs on the dash left of the steering column do? And the thing to the right of the ignition switch that looks like it’s broken?

[dmb]

Head lights, whippers choke and last but not least cigarette lighter.

[cryowagon]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

This is what I'm looking at for the VIN. I'm a little worried about those rivets, what do you think? The plate does not have those messed up serial numbers, that is just my obscuring for the Internet post.

Those aren't rivets. Factory spot welds. No SPID before 1966. GVWR plate on driver's kick panel will have the paint and trim codes.

[cwcarpenter98]

Nice find! If the paint code is 505, that's the same color as my 63 was from the factory. Those are the same spot welds on the VIN tag that I have on my 63, so no need to worry there. Rivets came around in later years.

Looks like this one was ordered without a radio or a cigarette lighter! I could be wrong about the no radio though. Looks kinda like an antenna hole on the passenger cowl extension panel

[dmjlambert]

I was wondering about that thing in the cigarette lighter hole and couldn't imagine what it might be, so maybe it is a delete plug. There is bondo on a few places of the truck, popping up and cracking. One of the places is on that cowl panel where it looks like an antenna hole may have been. I don't have this truck at my house yet, but when I get it here I will have to really look it over thoroughly and learn about it. So far I've only given it a brief exam. Thanks for the info, and if you have any more observations I would love to hear it. I would like to learn as much as I can about it, and I know almost nothing.

[joesscamaro]

That truck seems to have a lot of potential. I look forward to seeing your updates and plan for it.

[rbruno68]

It is nice to see another 63 pop up. I just started my build and have a thread on the project page. Here is a link to my first YouTube talking about my truck and my build.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LZX_eKe0I4

The one you are looking at looks in really good shape. Couple things I noticed is your grille looks straight and you have both bezels. It is a one year only grille (one of the things I like about 63s) and are expensive if you need one cause the only ones available are original. No one is reproducing them.

The cab on the inside looks great. Doesn't appear to have rust above the windshield which is great. Mine has some there that I know I will have to repair. Hoping not too much though.

My 63 came from TX, is a St. Louis truck, and has the radio delete with the cover still on it. I think they are a little hard to find as well.
Rob

[raggedjim]

Nice find, my first truck was a '64 that started out very similar.

Good luck, Rg

[raidmagic]

That's cool. Good luck with it.