1964 C30 , Another Alaskan Camper !

[DPowers]

Sweet truck.

[Captainfab]

I was thinking the same thing. What those folks spent for the truck and camper back in '64 was a LOT of money. I hope they got to enjoy it.

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Ya know just thinking about that invoice, that price was rather steep for the times! Most folks didn't make $4k a year back then. Awesome find and cool documentation!

[Praxiss454]

What about the inside of the camper? Cool truck!

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Classic v6 GMC's

They must have pulled the engine from the big truck line. Has the same heads as our 64 c60 327 motor.
You need to message aotte1. Me and him were just talking about the 327 being available in a 64 c20.

Somewhat , yes . I was able to trace the carburetor to C30 327 but didnt look for C20. The heads , if you look in the book Chevrolet by the numbers are listed for quite a few 327 only applications. I think it could be determined if you could find a letter code on a block, lets say, or this suffix list and start tracing or trace part numbers. However , all the letter codes for 64 327 seem to start with U . I was able to find a bunch of U codes in the big truck ,1 1/2 Ton and up truck parts books , but no UC . Also , your C60 327 , whats different about that 327 compared to this one ? Isn't the water pump raised up and possibly a different carb base ? That in itself gives it a different suffix specific to C40-C60s.

[Bears63]

Fantastic documentation! That was quite the price for the day. They sure went all out when they ordered that.

[GMDad]

What an incredible find. Given the mileage, shape of the truck, and all the paper and documentation for both the truck and camper I would say you stepped back 50 years in time and bought a 3 year old vehicle. Were you able to talk to the original owner? And also wondering about a Watson overdrive, have never heard of one before? Not factory but an aftermarket addition?

[factorystock]

Another incredible find! This one is another time capsule, the way we would have seen it at a camp ground in the 60's. This one is unique. Most camper buyers stayed away from 1 ton 9' bodies. The original owner knew what he wanted and needed before he installed the camper, not the other way around. Chevy made choosing a pickup easier with a custom camper package a year later, but in '64, either you or the salesman had to be knowledgeable to what was necessary to pick the correct truck. He took the time to order the right chassis for the weight involved and all the regular options and special order options ( namely the COPO 327 ). 327 became a regular option on C20's and C 30's in mid '65 year model and on C 10's in '66. The Watson overdrive was a aftermarket item to overcome the low C 30 gearing. IMO, the original owner must have been a pilot, they just love all that instrumentation on the dash. Also, the color is a one year only '64 fawn, much lighter than the one year only '65 fawn. Too bad about the bed modifications, but form follows function on this one.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Praxiss454

What about the inside of the camper? Cool truck!

Heres all I have at the moment. The door is jammed shut for some reason so I haven't been inside since I brought it home..

[Classic v6 GMC's]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Somewhat , yes . I was able to trace the carburetor to C30 327 but didnt look for C20. The heads , if you look in the book Chevrolet by the numbers are listed for quite a few 327 only applications. I think it could be determined if you could find a letter code on a block, lets say, or this suffix list and start tracing or trace part numbers. However , all the letter codes for 64 327 seem to start with U . I was able to find a bunch of U codes in the big truck ,1 1/2 Ton and up truck parts books , but no UC . Also , your C60 327 , whats different about that 327 compared to this one ? Isn't the water pump raised up and possibly a different carb base ? That in itself gives it a different suffix specific to C40-C60s.

The oil pan is different. I think the water pump is the same and the carb and governor look the same.
Any chance you can get the suffix code pages for 1963 and 1965?

[oem4me]

The camper interior looks good! Is that an aftermarket full-width floor mat placed under the regular factory mat in the truck cab?

[MusicMan70]

Beautiful Historic Time capsule; Congratulations!
So many dated coded details to drool over and discover. That dealership and the owner street address are not too far from where I live.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by oem4me

The camper interior looks good! Is that an aftermarket full-width floor mat placed under the regular factory mat in the truck cab?

Yes , he insulated the floor with something like burlap but thicker , then covered it with that mat. He insulated under the hood also. Im hoping that saved the paint on the floor

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

Beautiful Historic Time capsule; Congratulations!
So many dated coded details to drool over and discover. That dealership and the owner street address are not too far from where I live.

Is the dealership still in business ?

[aotte1]

Jon,

Another great piece of history, thanks for sharing. Super nice truck in very original condition. Some of the original components are a great find for the history of these trucks, not reported.
Thanks again for all the photos, this is another great truck for you.

New to me as mentioned to you is a 64' C20 built in Oakland, think it is a later build 64 truck. It also has a 327 in it, still need to do more date code checking, however, the engine suffix is "UC or UG". Photo of pad is below. The engine has many parts that look identical to yours, Will study the 327 more and compare to your photos. The block casting number is 3782870. This 327 has the C 20-30 oil pan.

More posting of engine suffix code, if you have them would be very helpful.


This C20 is optioned similar to your new to you truck.

Les

[MusicMan70]

Is the dealership still in business ?

Yes Clippinger Chevrolet is still there at the same location.

[mike16]

Originally Posted by 60-66

OK , on to the paper work. Heres the dealers customer "Purchase Order" sheet listing everything the customer wanted for this truck.

4273$ a base corvette sold for 3999$ thats alot of truck for alot of money

but OMG! way kool

[pwrbrkpadguy]

Absolutely a fantastic find!!! Love that power brake pedal pad!!!

[jocko]

Ok, I remember the OTHER Alaskan rig now (thank you), but this one takes the cake. This is a really unique time capsule, congrats. Can't wait to see the progress on it. Lots of great add-ons on this truck. I normally like the trucks "untouched" when campers are stuffed on the back - but this thing is a custom ordered, purpose build motor home. Love the planning that went into it, even the recessed step for the spare.

[63burban]

Hey Jon, glad you got it, cool truck and the C30 would have been considered a TRUCK and thus the 327. Seen one before in in a C30 and also explains the governor

[sodly]

Two thumbs up! Interesting time capsule!

[jbgroby]

WOW, reminds me of Steinbeck's Camper in Travels with Charlie.

[streetrodchev]

Wow, you got another time capsule!

[60-66]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Jon,

Another great piece of history, thanks for sharing. Super nice truck in very original condition. Some of the original components are a great find for the history of these trucks, not reported.
Thanks again for all the photos, this is another great truck for you.

New to me as mentioned to you is a 64' C20 built in Oakland, think it is a later build 64 truck. It also has a 327 in it, still need to do more date code checking, however, the engine suffix is "UC or UG". Photo of pad is below. The engine has many parts that look identical to yours, Will study the 327 more and compare to your photos. The block casting number is 3782870. This 327 has the C 20-30 oil pan.

More posting of engine suffix code, if you have them would be very helpful.


This C20 is optioned similar to your new to you truck.

Les

Very RARE find Les ! Congrats !

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

Yes Clippinger Chevrolet is still there at the same location.

I just wonder whats left of the old paperwork there ?

Originally Posted by mike16

4273$ a base corvette sold for 3999$ thats alot of truck for alot of money
but OMG! way kool

Originally Posted by pwrbrkpadguy

Absolutely a fantastic find!!! Love that power brake pedal pad!!!

I thought you might !

Originally Posted by jocko

I normally like the trucks "untouched" when campers are stuffed on the back - but this thing is a custom ordered, purpose build motor home. Love the planning that went into it, even the recessed step for the spare.

Trying to decide what to do about some of those mods. On one hand its a rare combination of options and should be repaired. On another its interesting as is ?? What to do. Clean and get it running good , will see.

Originally Posted by 63burban

Hey Jon, glad you got it, cool truck and the C30 would have been considered a TRUCK and thus the 327. Seen one before in in a C30 and also explains the governor

Thanks again Wally !

Originally Posted by sodly

Two thumbs up! Interesting time capsule!

Originally Posted by jbgroby

WOW, reminds me of Steinbeck's Camper in Travels with Charlie.

Originally Posted by streetrodchev

Wow, you got another time capsule!

Love finding interesting and unique trucks !

[60-66]

Originally Posted by GMDad

What an incredible find. Given the mileage, shape of the truck, and all the paper and documentation for both the truck and camper I would say you stepped back 50 years in time and bought a 3 year old vehicle. Were you able to talk to the original owner? And also wondering about a Watson overdrive, have never heard of one before? Not factory but an aftermarket addition?

No , but Im tempted to see if I can track him down to speak with him. I bought from the second owner who bought it and basically just parked it since 1998. The overdrive part is all new to me. Here its on the Chevy dealers new car purchase order. Had to have been either installed at the dealership or sent to a distributor of the Watson unit after delivery. Its a nice installation. Both driveshafts had to be modified to install it. Cant wait to try it.

[Brad54]

That is an awesome find!!!
It's great that you've got another survivor! Original plug wires and belts?! That's just awesome.

I love looking at Survivors, but I'd never want to own one... too much responsibility, and too nerve-wracking when driving it.

But I'd do some real sketchy things to put an Alaskan Campers in the bed of my '62 K10 long-step!

-Brad

[Ken B]

What an awesome truck and find! I love it right down to the very cool after market gauges on the dash...