My Latest Project - 1963 GMC Value Van

[Aberdare]

Well folks, I've been busy the last little while... and with something new in the Garage.

It's an old step-side delivery van made by GMC. The exact year is yet to be deciphered and decoded, but it's a slow process. Will be posting pictures once I have it moved from the barn and into the garage.

I will do a little lurking before I make my 2nd official post, but feel free to chime in at anytime.

Abe

[Aberdare]

Here's a few pictures taken shortly after it arrived and was unloaded from the trailer. Please feel free to assist in helping to accurately determine the year and model number as I lurk about.

Abe

[krue]

90 on the speedometer? That's either kph or very optimistic.

[Aberdare]

Originally Posted by krue

90 on the speedometer? That's either kph or very optimistic.

Nope, that's MPH... optimistic, perhaps... but it does have a 4-spd manual behind the 230-L6. As near as I can reasonably determine so far, this is a 1963, or 1964 GMC P91345 Value Van, Manufactured in Oshawa, Ontario and originally used as an Eaton's Delivery Van. Someone tried (and failed) to convert it into a camper van, but the engine is complete (though seized) and the body is 95% intact.

Abe

[krue]

Plans for it? Looks like a cool project.

[Aberdare]

Originally Posted by krue

Plans for it? Looks like a cool project.

Sure, it's a fixer-upper... but isn't that the whole point of a project? This one is straight, and never been in an accident. Of course it has rust... what vehicle wouldn't after sitting in a farmer's field for 15 years. It will need some work to make it into a rolling chassis that can be easily slid in and out of the workshop. I have an estimated budget of $15,000.00 set aside already to turn this from a rusting heap into a head turner.

Once again, please feel free to chime in and help to accurately identify this vehicle, so any spare parts can be obtained with minimal amounts of cussing for extra trips to the parts store. If someone knowledgeable could point me in the right direction, I will start a new thread designated entirely to the restoration of this vehicle, so that everyone can have a peek as things progress.

Abe

[Rusty63]

Love the van Abe,my new project came from Manitoba,was supposed to have been a highway dept. truck. 63 c-10 shortbox fleetside Darren

[Aberdare]

Originally Posted by Rusty63

Love the van Abe,my new project came from Manitoba,was supposed to have been a highway dept. truck. 63 c-10 shortbox fleetside Darren

Thanks Darren:

There are some gems left if you know where to look... This vehicle I found languishing in a farmer's field near Lundar, Manitoba along with about 70 more specimens of different lineages and various stages of decay. Hell, I even gave serious thought to a '49 Chevrolet Sedan with rear suicide doors, but decided on the Value Van instead, as it was the only one I have seen in a very long time.

This one is going to be both a pleasure and a challenge to make roadworthy again, and I look forward to sharing the progress I make as things progress.

Abe