1965 C20 fresh start in New Zealand

[kiwic20]

This is my first thread (ever) so mind the mistakes. I been watching and reading this page for a while so I thought I might throw some pictures up of my truck. It was a new import to New Zealand when I purchased it. Started like all good purchases - group of guy's in the workshop checking out vehicles for sale (not intending on buying anything) - next thing you know I'm on a 6 1/2 hour trip north to pick up a 1965 c20 custom camper. After the first 1/2 hour and the normal police ticket for travelling to fast with a trailer we headed off our spirits not dampened. A beautiful New Zealand day on the North Island and quick photo stop as snow on Mt Egmont. First photo of my truck is with my Buddy checking it out. The deal was done and it was loaded on the trailer - few more pic's on the journey South.

[kiwic20]

Few more petrol stops then back to the workshop - locked up for the night. The following day the truck was unloaded and up on the hoist. A few bits and pieces cleaned up underneath so I could get it road legal in New Zealand - (thats my son underneath - let loose with a grinder). Few more Pictures of truck when I got it - things will change.

[kiwic20]

more pictures when purchased. Headlights needed to be swapped out due to New Zealand being a right hand drive country.

[kiwic20]

Me with the pitch fork in front of the old mans barn - thought it was the thing to do seen I was wearing my new Overall's my buddy bought back from the states. My old man thought my truck was so cool he bought his own from the same importer. His is a 1966 C20 - auto V8 - I must admit His paint work and lower stance has me thinking about what to do to mine.

[kiwic20]

Today I decided to sand off the red oxide paint on the tray and tailgate. I think it looks heaps better. Before it looked like someone had put another tray on it. There's a before and after of the tailgate - (liked the look of the old mans lettering) - Still more to go - good things take time. The sticker reads RANDSBURG LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT - This came with the truck so if anyone reads this from Randsburg I wouldn't mind a new one - hook me up and I'll send one from New Zealand.

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice truck. What ya got for a engine?

[Grizz1963]

Cool intro.

Neat trucks. They must be huge on the NZ roads.

Welcome.

[65sub]

Cool truck. Looks fairly solid. What do you mean By "changing the headlights because of righthand drive" ?

[sodly]

And it's a rare 65 Custom Camper!

[kiwic20]

[kiwic20]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Nice truck. What ya got for a engine?

It's a 6 cylinder (250 As far as I can tell). 4 speed manual transmission with the first gear being a granny gear. Runs great for an old beast.

[kiwic20]

Originally Posted by kiwic20

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Cool intro.

Neat trucks. They must be huge on the NZ roads.

Welcome.

Thanks Grizz - yeah mate they take up a fair bit of the road.

[kiwic20]

Originally Posted by 65sub

Cool truck. Looks fairly solid. What do you mean By "changing the headlights because of righthand drive" ?

Yeah it's solid. mainly surface rust (except for bottom rear section of guards). Because we drive on the other side of the road the headlights need to dip in the opposite direction. This is so we dont blind on coming traffic when we put our headlights on full beam.

[kiwic20]

Originally Posted by sodly

And it's a rare 65 Custom Camper!

Custom Campers are awesome - didn't know what one was until I bought it. Just by reading this site and others I have realised I've bought something a little unusual and quite rare.

[kiwic20]

Couple of pics of the inside - came with the old citizen ham radio,going to leave it in as it looks retro - carried on sanding red oxide primer off today. Dont know how long the indian proverbs been in there but you dont see many of those in New Zealand.

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum, nice trucks! I rotated your last two photos for you:





Also nice to see the radio opening hasn't been cut up.

[kiwic20]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Welcome to the forum, nice trucks! I rotated your last two photos for you:





Also nice to see the radio opening hasn't been cut up.

thanks for that I couldn"t work out how to spin them - I checked out your page and I think that tufting work is awesome and looks great.

[mjh1965]

Nice looking truck welcome to the forum . It's nice that your dad has the same truck , did he drop his a little or import it like it is

[kiwic20]

Fathers one was already lowered when he got it - suspect the importer has done it - it has 2 inch blocks in rear and suspect new front springs - not up to road legal standard in New Zealand yet - parts on order from Truck shop.