Ol Yeller - 71 Cheyenne SWB BB

[Zoomin]

For those of you that enjoy seeing a project go from start to finish in Overhaulin fashion, this thread's not for you. This one will go slower than even my normal standards because I've got another truck that I'm working on too. I'll post info on that later.

Anyway, I found Ol Yeller on a major auction site. He's a fairly rust free example (better than my 72 Super by a long shot), having spent his whole life in sunny southern California. I am the 3rd owner, and it came with the original black license tags.

I'd been looking for a SWB BB ever since I completed the 72 Super. To me, a lot of the fun is in the treasure hunt of finding parts, meeting the folks that sell them, and rescuing these rascals and saving them - maybe for my kids or grandkids, who knows. Regardless, it's my hobby that I've been into for a while. I've done Camaro's and Vettes, but when I found the 72 back in 2009 I've been bitten by the C10 bug. Hard. I own 4 of these now, and I still peruse the sites looking for more.

Here's pics of how he looked when I picked him up. Pretty original except for the wheels (ralley's - my gosh you'd think they were standard on these, nearly everyone runs them), and in the engine compartment, the 402 is original, but it's got headers, HEI, and Edelbrock carb and intake.

Dang! It had some real nice patina going on, but the PO decided to prime the hood and cowl panel:


Tailgate had been replaced, but this one's in pretty decent shape.


Typical original condition interior - cracked steering wheel and dash pad, old radio, but no cutting.


Pulled off the cover to find foams that have seen better days, but the Build Sheet was still resting comfortably in the springs.


Engine compartment. Fairly clean, considering. AC is all there, but not working, new master cylinder and booster.


Check out how many holes are in the doors - I think it's had nearly every kind of mirror installed over the years. The SPID says it came with sport mirrors, but the original owner had a camper in it all it's life. That turned out to be pretty good for the bed though - it's in real good shape.



The tubs look bad, but it's all surface rust. No dings or holes.


Lots of nice patina, but no rust-through. I wish he had left the hood alone.

[screaminchevypickup]

I really like this truck it looks so much better in person, but I think it would look even better in my shop
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[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

I really like this truck it looks so much better in person, but I think it would look even better in my shop
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If you could lay some paint on it like your black one, I can get it over there today!
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[screaminchevypickup]

I'm sure we could make that happen! If you don't mind me asking who's doin the paint and body work
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[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

I'm sure we could make that happen! If you don't mind me asking who's doin the paint and body work
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There's a guy in Yukon that does it as a hobby. Semi-retired, but he works like a Tasmanian devil. He works faster than a lot of "pro" shops I've had cars in.

Who does yours? It takes a lot of time to get black looking as straight as yours.

[screaminchevypickup]

I do the body work but a friend of mine does the paint work
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[VA72C10]

Definitely subscribed to this one

[Zoomin]

sur·vi·vor·a·tion

   [ser-vahy-ver-a-shun]
–verb
1.the act of improving an original condition truck by adding better, but still used or original parts.

I must give full credit to Paul Duncan, aka Duncan and Son, for the idea. He suggested I consider improving an a truck that's pretty much stock by finding good quality used parts to replace the ones that are pretty tired.

Before:


After with new hood cowl and antenna.


By the way - notice the difference the difference in paint in the front fenders, and door in the before and after pictures? I used the CLR tip I found on the board. Got rid of the rust stains real quick. Teeitup and kingsolver should be pretty surprised at how the hood turned out. I picked those up at Randy's get together last month. There must have been two decades of tree sap and dirt on it and the cowl panel.

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Definitely subscribed to this one

Aye aye, sir! Great to have you aboard.

[screaminchevypickup]

If you ever decide to let this one go keep me in mind
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[Zoomin]

Will do. You thinking about selling the 72?

[screaminchevypickup]

Everything is for sale I just sold the camaro a few weeks ago and now the blazer is fixing to go away
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[teeitup]

WOW Steve, your doing good, thats a nice one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hart_Rod]

Nice build! I think you need a 67 Crewcab to go along with your collection....

[kingsolver72]

Thats nice!! I love the wheels.

[kingsolver72]

By the way Steve, I'm wondering what the paint looks like under the primer on the original hood. Is it in good shape?

[Zoomin]

It was sandblasted before they primered it. It's pitted badly - that's why I bought another hood.

[kingsolver72]

I was looking at your truck again and was wondering if that is a stethoscope on the mirror??

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

I was looking at your truck again and was wondering if that is a stethoscope on the mirror??

Nope. Sunglasses. Much easier to keep them there instead of having to reach clear over to the glove box.
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[Zoomin]

Here's some different looks - the ralleys it came with, the hubcaps, and some 1996 Corvette Grand Sport wheels I have - might use them on the other project.

[jasonhall]

cool truck!! cant wait to see more!

[RCbowtie69]

Nice start to a cool project.Keep on Truckin'

[Zoomin]

Got a tailgate band and a bumper put on...

[Zoomin]

I'm taking the interior apart to do an interim improv too. Coming up: Tach dash, replacement carpet and dash pad, door panels, visors, bucket seats and console. The only "new" items will be the carpet, dash pad and seat covers.

[VA72C10]

Looks good!!!