Barn Find, 66 C20 Custom Camper

[Spaz's C10]

Hey guys, fairly new to the C10 scene and have much to learn. I've built and bagged an S10, now I'm currently working on a 66 build. Complete PB coil over setup.

Anyways, I have the opportunity to purchase a 1966 C20 Custom Camper with 49,000 original miles. The entire truck is original with the exception of some small mechanical repairs.

It is a two owner truck, and the second owner hasn't even owned it for a year. They are the ones that found it and put it back on the road.

All this being said, I have a few questions;

1. What is a ball park value? Keep in mind this truck is from the Midwest, so little rust and some patches to the cab floor, otherwise body is very clean. everything works and it drives as good as a 66 could. Oh yeah, 283 V8 with a 4 speed. Also, missing the heater and rear bumper.

2. What is the difference in the frames from a C10 vs. C20? Only conclusive info I could find is that a C20 has leaf springs and has more frame braces?

3. Lastly, would it be wrong to turn this truck into a "Delmo Special"? Basically keep it all original and untouched, but slam it to the ground with a complete PB setup and Accuair? Somewhere I read there were only 1,500 of these produced in 66, that's why I'm having a hard time deciding.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[pimpston65]

first off welcome, secondly wheres the pics. gotta have them pics...

[bonehead]

Originally Posted by Spaz's C10

3. Lastly, would it be wrong to turn this truck into a "Delmo Special"? Basically keep it all original and untouched, but slam it to the ground with a complete PB setup and Accuair? Somewhere I read there were only 1,500 of these produced in 66, that's why I'm having a hard time deciding.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I know I will ruffle some feathers on here and it is your truck, but to me doing something like that to a truely clean original truck would not be a great idea, do that to a junker. My opinion FWIW. (since you asked)

[TJ's Chevy]

Great truck! I second the need foe pictures! No, as far as I know the style of frame was the same, but the length was longer due to an 8 ft bed. You will have different bolt holes compared to a coil spring model. And no..it isn't wrong to do a "delmo" special! It's YOUR truck and YOU do what you want with it. We are here to help and support! Anyhow, WE NEED PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spaz's C10]

I haven't purchased it yet, just considering....

[Spaz's C10]

This is what I had in mind...

[glos55]

Nice!! 49K on the clock? I kinda like it stock! Imagine it with new paint!

[pimpston65]

holy $hit batman, if can swing it buy it NOW!!! that truck is awesome. drop it if you so choose, and put the parts you dont want up for sell on this forum, i'll take the speaker. once its for sell of course, hehe nice find hope u get a nice deal

[jtrichard]

Put a heater back in it and a rear bumper back on and DRIVE IT paint later if you like ...it looks GREAT just like it sits ... you DON'T want to know what i think about the red 64 looking like it does ....no ofence to its owner to each their own

[oem4me]

I've seen the truck online, and it's not exactly cheap. Considering the 3/4 ton suspension may present issues when finding aftermarket parts for the drop, me thinks waiting for a decent 1/2 ton may be a better choice.
These 3/4 tons are real work trucks, and for me at least, seeing a slammed Custom Camper would be kinda like seeing a linebacker in a bikini.

[Spaz's C10]

Originally Posted by oem4me

I've seen the truck online, and it's not exactly cheap. Considering the 3/4 ton suspension may present issues when finding aftermarket parts for the drop, me thinks waiting for a decent 1/2 ton may be a better choice.
These 3/4 tons are real work trucks, and for me at least, seeing a slammed Custom Camper would be kinda like seeing a linebacker in a bikini.

What do you think a fair price is???

[Spaz's C10]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

Put a heater back in it and a rear bumper back on and DRIVE IT paint later if you like ...it looks GREAT just like it sits ... you DON'T want to know what i think about the red 64 looking like it does ....no ofence to its owner to each their own

This is what I'm also considering doing.

I'll have to go look at it and see how I feel.

[jtrichard]

Oem ditto ditto ditto

[theastronaut]

I'd have a hard time messing with a truck that original, other than some tinkering and putting the right parts back on it. Fairly rare color too, if that's the original paint I'd certainly leave the truck stock.

[pimpston65]

just saw the CL ad for the truck its got good bones, but high price tag. ouch!!!!

[j.kirn]

Originally Posted by oem4me

I've seen the truck online, and it's not exactly cheap. Considering the 3/4 ton suspension may present issues when finding aftermarket parts for the drop, me thinks waiting for a decent 1/2 ton may be a better choice.
These 3/4 tons are real work trucks, and for me at least, seeing a slammed Custom Camper would be kinda like seeing a linebacker in a bikini.

I 2nd this

[Spaz's C10]

Thanks for all the input thus far, still looking for any ideas on price?

I've come to the conclusion if I buy it, it will stay original!

[71swb4x4]

IMO a 66 1/2 ton SWB with those miles in that condition will be worth a pretty penny. But a 66 C20 just isn't going to be.
It's kind of like a 66 Chevelle SS with 40,000 miles, that will be worth some cash. But a 66 Chevelle 4 door with 40,000 miles, not so much.

I am all for original trucks, I love them. But this just isn't going to be worth a lot as a collector's item. Buy it, and do what you want with it.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by Spaz's C10

Thanks for all the input thus far, still looking for any ideas on price?

I've come to the conclusion if I buy it, it will stay original!

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

IMO a 66 1/2 ton SWB with those miles in that condition will be worth a pretty penny. But a 66 C20 just isn't going to be.
It's kind of like a 66 Chevelle SS with 40,000 miles, that will be worth some cash. But a 66 Chevelle 4 door with 40,000 miles, not so much.

I am all for original trucks, I love them. But this just isn't going to be worth a lot as a collector's item. Buy it, and do what you want with it.

I think the C-20 market is in flux at this time, so it's hard to pin a number. True, C-10's are way more popular and hence bring more money, but as the supply of decent 1/2 tons dries up, people are taking a second look at their big brothers. No doubt when the market finally starts to heat up on the 3/4's, the Custom Campers will be leading the way. But SSHHH! Don't say anything!

[argonaut]

A C20 Chevy won't have leaf springs in the back unless it was some custom order. It'll have the exact same suspension setup as the 1/2 ton but with beefier springs and the eaton axle. Its no more difficult to chop, notch and drop than would be a 1/2 ton.
Up front it will have a different spindle and maybe a beefier lower control arm, but thats it.

In general I'm not a fan of ground-scraping lowered trucks, I don't understand the point of it. But that being said I can appreciate the sweet work that Delmo and Dino and others do. If you buy it, its your truck; you should do what you want with it.

[chevyrestoguy]

My opinion: Leave it stock. They're only original once, and to find a 48yr old vehicle that has been pampered it's entire life with that low of mileage is a RARE find. I like stockers and I like hotrods equally, but personally, I couldn't bring myself to cut up that C-20.

If you're bent on doing a Delmo-style truck, I would suggest finding a different truck that's not as unmolested as the '66 C-20. They're not that hard to find, and you can hold out for certain features that you might prefer, like a big back window, short bed, half-ton, etc.

[rustbucket66]

Chevyresto guy just hit the nail perfectly on the head. That thing is a beauty, buy it, and drive it just like that. There will always be people walking up to look at it. It would look good with something in the box, a camper or something, and pulling a trailer or boat. Don't mess with that one.

[yelmer]

Nice original truck I would leave it the way it is , rare color, low miles . those are hard to find . If I owned it, I would leave it alone. That is a head turner The way it sits.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by yelmer

Nice original truck I would leave it the way it is , rare color, low miles . those are hard to find . If I owned it, I would leave it alone. That is a head turner The way it sits.

I agree. Except for a few things, add 19.5" wheels, a set of west coast mirrors, and run the exhaust out behind the rear wheel in the stock location. Thank the previous owners and the recreational vehicle boom of the mid 60's thru early 70's for the condition of this 3/4 ton.

[jdl71]

I just looked at the ad too. My personal opinion is if you could get it for about half of what they're asking (not likely) it would be a decent deal.