1963 C-10 in NC

[1963c-10]

Minor battle, but big victory. I have to plan my battles as time & money permit...even though I dont always get to go down my list in the priorities I have set. I have been working on this license plate bracket for the last week (few hours here and there), and like most of my build, I try and document my projects. This is an OEM Guide 60 license plate bracket that will replace the repop thats on the truck now. I know its probably petty to most people, but I like the OEM stuff better even though I usually end up putting lots of time and effort into parts that most people would by through a catalog. I think it came out pretty good for a part that came off a 61 and will be going on my 63. The first few pics are what I started with. With the exception of the gasket under the glass and the broken wire, it is a complete unit.

[1963c-10]

Next stage is tear down...and alot of CLR & sanding. Here you can see the stampings and the chevy part # on the bottom on the lens. The glass # shows as 59495 - 2 and 3C on the bottom. Im guessing made in March of 63 if the #'s are like most chevy parts.

[1963c-10]

Next few are completed after paint. I will get a completed pic of assembly once I finish the wiring. Like the rest of the truck to follow...2 base coats of pepsi blue and 2 clear coats. You will notice no drain holes for water in the OEM brackets. The repops do have drain holes.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

I like the color blue!

[1963c-10]

Thank you. Pepsi fleet blue, also used on the New Holland Tractors. I know its a Ford color, but I like it...so its what im going with. The interior will be done in the same paint sceme, just blue & white. And Ill probably do the steering coloumn blue this time, and not white. Exterior will be blue...50/50 if Ill do a two tone w/white top or straight blue.

[Captainfab]

Ha! I was going to say it looked a lot like Bud Light Blue. I sprayed about a gallon of that this summer. The two shades of blue are close though.

Anyway, looks good

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Next few are completed after paint. I will get a completed pic of assembly once I finish the wiring. Like the rest of the truck to follow...2 base coats of pepsi blue and 2 clear coats. You will notice no drain holes for water in the OEM brackets. The repops do have drain holes.

[1963c-10]

Thank you. Bud light was consumed during the prep process if that counts any....haha

[1963c-10]

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone....

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone....

right back at ya....

[1963c-10]

OK, so now just waiting to pick out the white walls to do the disk brake conversion. Wont be long.....

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Subscribed! I like the OEM preferences and well...You could say I'm a Pepsi fan lol.

Great work!

[1963c-10]

Thanks for the compliments. I like the hot rods and resto mods also. Just kinda a stock guy w/modified power plants. There are so many different things that can be done, but after 50years...i like the style the way they came. Just need a BBC to finish it off.

[1963c-10]

OK, so working on some more small inside projects. Since I cant find a matching 60 passenger side mirror arm, Im going to convert a 61 passenger side to a 60. Looks like Ill just have to fill in a little bit to make it match. the 61 has the single ridge in the middle and the 60 is more smooth. Height on them looks the same, so should be an easy fix. The driver side is already in the proper paint (this is an old pic). I got the backing plate removed yesterday. Had to get a nut cracker as I wanted to save the original screws. Got it stripped down last night and will work on filling it in tonight. Pics to come, but here is a before & after of the driver side and the passenger side arm im working on now.

[flips72]

great work, blue looks terrific.

[1963c-10]

Thanks flips72. My last 63 was sapphire blue metallic, always thought it was a little darker. Wanted a color that was a little "warmer". I really like this color better.

[1963c-10]

Almost done with the passenger side arm conversion. Will post pics tomorrow.

[1963c-10]

Have finally gotten over some family issues, so can begin to work on the truck again. My sisters 3 year old will be my new shop helper as she has moved in til the end of the year. Have finally assembled the parts for the back of the cab trim. I have been working on the dent removal of the 3 piece trim set and polishing. Have also polished the wide windshield trim and hopefully be able to install in a few weeks. Front end disk swap set up for late Mar/early April and engine is ready to pick up. Will be a project later in the year to swap out. I want the brake conversion done 1st and have to prep/paint the transmission. Will update w/some pics soon.

[flips72]

good to see ya back at it and making some progress, sounds like you will have plenty of help too... whew a 3 year old in my shop i couldnt get anything done i would be a nervous wreck, always afraid they would get hurt and momma would throw me a beat down not really sounds like your gonna have a ball, we need some pics of the 3 year old welding and painting things that would be awesome.

[1963c-10]

haha....thanks for the heads up. She actually is a pretty good help. Im slowly getting used to the child seat in the 63 and she loves the rides in & back from school. She gets some attention from riding in the "old truck" from her class mates. She hasn't quite learned what tools are what, but has no problem handing me whatever she picks out. These are from last summer helping disassemble the 61 parts truck. She likes to watch when Im logging on the property also. Been knocking down a strand of 100ft yellow pines to build the pole barn.

[flips72]

now thats what its all about, great pics.

[1963c-10]

Heres the pic of the custom cab back trim. I have taken numbers and measurements in case anyone else comes across one (how to identify it) or decided to make one. They are hard to find, and no one reproduces them. Anyway, they haven't been installed yet, so i figured id document them. The center piece is just shy of 63 1/4" long and 3/4" wide with a rolled back edge and a slight curve to the face. The clips place as follows...from left to right 1 1/2", 11 1/2", 21 1/2", 31 1/2", 41 1/2", 51 1/2", 61 1/2". The sail panels mount and look like the standard custom cab trim pieces but have a differnt rear cab mount. It is 3/4" long to accomodate the center piece covering the end. The center piece has the ends trimmed to cover the end piece of the sail panel. I have completed the work on the sail panels, i just did the paint a week or two ago. Went w/blue to match the body color when its painted. The center piece I still need to polish. All metal work was done by hand, then 220grit followed by 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and then onto my 7" polish wheel for some brown rouge followed by some grey. So far up to about 15 hours, but im pleased so far and although I bought the sail panels seperate from the center piece (which had been folded in half at some point in its life) im into the project about $200 for parts & shipping. The center piece has taken the longest due to the damage, but luckily I was able to salvage it. Lots of little taps. Stainless steel works slow when doing this kinda trim. The windshield trim gave me alot of practice (pics to follow). I also have 63 GMC side window trim to do next.

[1963c-10]

Here are the sail panels. The painting I did by hand and light solvent to really fine detail.

[1963c-10]

Heres some before shots of the sail panels. Removed a few dents and dings and a ton of white overspray. Lots of scratches got removed and sanded followed by polish. Then paint and clear.

[1963c-10]

ive got some before pics of rear back trim to upload, order retaining clips and install, then more pics
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[Dinos63]

coool stuff!