Value Estimates of a 1963 C10

[RED 1970]

Hi All, I'm looking for some honest opinions on the value of a 1963 C10. I know there is a wide variation depending on where I live and the quality of the vehicle. There is also the fact of what you would sell one for and what you would buy one for.

I've got a 1970 K5 in great shape and recently bought a 1989 K5 with a full convert conversion and now have an opportunity to buy a 63 C10, rounding out the hat trick.

Here's the specs I know. Please comment on the mods and if they are a bonus or a negative.

White with blue top and blue interior
350 FI, late 90's motor, I believe it is a Vortec
5spd manual - don't know which one
Big back window
Says converted to IFS
Disc brakes on the front
12 bolt posi rear
Slight drop
Moved fuel tank under the bed
Removed chains from tailgate and installed latch

Overall a clean ride, no rust or other mechanical issues. Interior and paint are fresh, however it does have two pieces of side trim that could use some repair and buffing.

So, what's the value?

What are things I should look for? Hard to replace parts that add to the value?
Thanks,

[1963c-10]

Can you provide some pics to help?

[spacedebris]

pics would help. However, there are a lot of factors.

I'd say a truck in rust free daily driver condition would likely be somewhere in the 5-10K range. A truck in say average show quality would likely fetch 10-20k. Finally a truck in High end restoration or what I would call "museum" quality will generally fetch somewhere north of 20K


When inspecting the truck look at the typical rust areas for rust or "rust camouflage". Bring a magnet with you to check for thick bondo. Some people object to sticking magnets to their paint possibly scratching so what I have is a magnet that came off one of those extendable arms for picking up dropped screws in the engine compartment and I covered it with a piece of cotton off an old T-shirt. Thin enough to not cause any problems but thick enough to prevent any scratches. Check the hinge areas of the hood. The areas around all the wheel wells. Kick panel areas. bottoms of the doors. Floors.

If possible, get underneath and look at the frame, make sure that its straight and doesnt look like its been hit and straightened. Check the gaps on the body panels. If there is some that are too close compared to others (or too far) if may indicate damage that was not repaired correctly. (or just sloppy repair work)



finally no matter what anyone says, a truck is only worth what YOU want to pay for it. My Panel is not even to the point of finishing the body work, drive train is still in pieces, firewall is gone, floors are cut up, and yet to me, its worth every penny I've paid. My family, friends, and neighbors all think I'm nuts to be sinking so much into "a rolling piece of junk" (in their words). Cant explain it, but I love it and its my money and time. So I'm the only one who can truly put a price on it.

[RED 1970]

Thanks for the feedback.

Since I've already got two rigs this would be something to buy, drive for a year or so and either break even on it or make a couple of bucks so I have to buy below general market value.

I think he has it priced reasonably, and I know the seller and have seen cars he's had in the past so the hidden rust factor is probably nill.

[1963c-10]

If the body is solid and it starts, stops & steers reliably, it'd be a $5,000 - $8,000 truck in my part of the woods. Some things to note, not knocking it, just observations.....the sliding glass back window would bring less in my opinion than a full piece of glass. There also appears to be some minor modifications to the truck from stock. Notice that the rear tail lights don't have bezels and the front fender emblems are incorrect. Does have alot going for it as its a nicely optioned truck from what I see in the pics. If the grill is aluminum and not steel, its worth more. Also has 64-66 sail panels (upper cab trim) and not the 60-63 sails, which isn't a huge difference, but it seems to me that the more factory correct even on a resto-mod would command more. Its also been converted to 5 lug at some point. Im not tryna be a tire kicker, just observations Ive seen. Its a great looking truck, and I hope it works out for you. Im partial to 63's, so I say if the price is right than pick it up. Id make a few changes, mostly factory correct parts and drive the tires off it. I feel that Id pay more if it had the correct parts. Just my opinion.

[RED 1970]

That is exactly the kind of critique I was looking for!
I'm familar with mechanics and basic vehicle evaluation however the specifics that you mentioned are really important to assigning a value, not just for what I'd pay but what I could also sell it for down the road.

You seem to know quite a bit about the 63's. Do you happen to know the widest rear tire you could fit without modifying the inner wheel well or the fender lip? I'm thinking it would need a new set of tires and some big/littles in my opinion would look great.

Also, would 6 lugs have been standard on all 63's?

[1963c-10]

6 lug would have been on all 60-66 c-10's and 8 lug on the c-20's. Getting into the c-30/60 is out of my league. I run stock steelies with 235/75R15, but its a 15x5 rim. Ive heard of people running a 295 rear wheel, but Im not sure on the backspacing or rims that were used. Im sure some others will pipe in. Im sure that the truck was converted to 5 lug to do a disc brake swap on the front and it was probably done on the rear for either disc brakes or just so that it doesn't require 2 different spares. Can you get any pics of the interior? I think its a great looking truck and the trim pieces and emblems together would be more or less around $300, but would really do the truck justice. The glass is also available if you choose to get rid of the slider.

[harpo1313]

It seems to either have a glass hood or filled seams.Whats he asking for it?

[jocko]

Originally Posted by harpo1313

It seems to either have a glass hood or filled seams.Whats he asking for it?

good eye!

[1963c-10]

i think it has a later model rear bumper too. all of the modifications look good on it though. i think it looks good as it sits, theres just changes id make
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[RED 1970]

He initially told me he wanted $7,500. I asked how much room he had in the price and he dropped to what he said was his rock bottom price of $7,250.

The interior did need a little work he said, I think it is clean but needs some freshening, maybe door panels or an instrument cluster.

[61K10]

you couldn't build it for that $$$ even doing everything yourself-----